Load testing, as the name itself implies, is just the process of finding out what kind of load something can take. In the context IT, it will mean what kind of load will servers, routers, switches, software, and applications are capable of handling. This is usually done in the developmental phase. This way, designers, and developers will know what their products are capable of, before being released into the big bad world.
Load testing is a broad definition and there are several aspects to it, depending on what the need is. Obviously, the function of a server is different from a software. So, the testing method will be different for both. When testing a server, for example, one of the things done is to run several different programs on it at the same time. This process will be repeated several times to observe how the server will handle the load. Other aspects of load testing can also include longevity testing, to see how long the equipment can go without issues. The biggest test will usually be volume testing. This is when large amounts of work are given at the same time.
When it comes to load testing and website testing, this is something that shouldn’t be avoided just because an organization is a nonprofit. A lot of nonprofit organizations have important messages to get out, and if their site is down, this wouldn’t be possible. A nonprofit website is it’s identity in cyberspace, so it’s really important a website is online and functioning properly in order to get that message out.
Having good web hosting place a big part in making sure that your nonprofit website is online. I’ll spare you some of the technical details on why this is the case, but if you’re interested in reading more, you can visit this page. Essentially, web hosting companies that cost a little more are usually worth the money, at least according to Web Hosting Buddy, a site that did some research on this. If you’re interested in learning more about that aspect of hosting, you can visit their official site.
Finally, as it relates to nonprofits, it’s important to note that the design and layout of a website can affect the load time significantly. This is also something to take into consideration when load testing.
The point of all this is to find the breaking point. Computers can have a physical limit as well. This could be something complex as random access memory (RAM) or it could be something simple like heat. The size of RAM is going to determine how many applications can run at the same time. A high use router or server will produce lots of heat. How much heat it produces will determine what type of cooling system it will need.
As far as load testing tools are concerned, especially for software testing, there many on the market today. Some are licensed and others are open source. A good tool will be able to test various aspects such as latency, load balancing, and processing.