Setting up a load generator

Now that you’ve hosted the test site, it is time to generate some load. Here are the basic options:

1. 1. Use a load-generation service. In simple terms, you sign up at a website, define which pages to hit with how many simultaneous users, and start the load test. Most services have many more features than this. There are services that are very affordable, or even free.

   This would be the easiest way to generate load. However, you may find that these services are lacking in features, and you may have to spend some money. In a moment, you will see a number of free and low-cost load generation services.

2. 2. Run a load-generation software package on one or more machines. There are lots of packages available, ranging from free, open source software to very expensive enterprise-class software.

   Further down you will find instructions on how to use two widely used load generator packages Microsoft’s free WCAT, and the load tests provided by Visual Studio 2008 Team Edition...