Transparent performance tests with Datadog integration
January 24, 2024

BlazeMeter Unlocks Transparent Performance Testing With Datadog Integration

Performance Testing
API Testing

One of the primary frustrations facing testing teams when executing performance tests is not knowing precisely what caused a test to fail until after the test is complete. Rather than review how the test is running in real-time, users often have had to wait dozens of minutes for each test before optimizing and recalibrating.

Those dozens of minutes compounded over the course of numerous iterations of the same test result in significant time wasted that could have otherwise been put to good use elsewhere.

The key to solving that issue is leveraging an observability tool like Datadog. With the newly available Datadog integration with BlazeMeter, users can now feel far more confident in their performance tests.

In this blog, we will dive into what Datadog is, how it integrates with BlazeMeter, and the benefits BlazeMeter users will experience with the Datadog integration.

Table of Contents

  1. What is Datadog?
  2. How the BlazeMeter Datadog Integration Works
  3. Benefits of the Datadog Integration With BlazeMeter
  4. Bottom Line
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What is Datadog?

Datadog is an Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tool for cloud-scale applications to monitor servers, tools, databases, and services. It provides a secure platform for cloud migration, operations, and tracking key business metrics.

Datadog’s product offerings include coverage of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Red Hat OpenShift, VMware, and OpenStack.

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How the BlazeMeter Datadog Integration Works

BlazeMeter's latest integration with Datadog enables users to access APM metrics from Datadog according to their profile setup.

Users can use this integration for both new and exisiting tests.

Here is a breakdown of how to get started.

  1. Navigate to the BlazeMeter Test Configuration page.
  2. In the APM Integration section, click Datadog.
APM integration
  1. Either choose an existing profile:
Choose an existing profile

Or create a new profile by entering the following details:

Create a new profile

Basic Configuration:

  • Key Name - Name of the key you want to create and reference in BlazeMeter
  • Datadog APM URL -The full URL to access your Datadog environment (exclude the trailing / in your URL, for example, http://yourHostAtDatadog.com).
  • App Key - Authentication key, used in conjunction with your organization’s API key, that gives users access to Datadog’s programmatic API.
  • API Key - Authentication key granting BlazeMeter access to Datadog's API for data transmission and retrieval. API keys are unique to your organization. An API key is required by the Datadog Agent to submit metrics and events to Datadog.For more information, see Datadog's documentation.

Advanced Configuration:

  • Harbor ID - The private location (OPL) to use to run the APM functionality (see here for where to get this value).

If you are using Datadog in the cloud, you do not need to provide the Harbour ID. The integration will work seamlessly without it.

  1. Once you have successfully added your key, proceed to the next screen to select your metrics and construct your profile. Here, you can specify your Datadog scope and the metrics to include in your BlazeMeter report.
     

    Select metrics and scope

  2. After selecting your metrics, click Next to review a preview of what your profile will monitor. Provide a profile name and save it as a new profile for future tests.
  3. Upon saving your profile, you'll see the following screen, allowing you to choose the profile(s) you want. To apply the profile(s) to your test, click Apply.
Apply the profile

Your BlazeMeter test is now integrated with Datadog!

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Benefits of the Datadog Integration With BlazeMeter

Users can integrate BlazeMeter tests with a specific Datadog profile and the scopes it contains, and view the metrics collected by the Datadog monitoring tool in the BlazeMeter Timeline Report.

BlazeMeter users will also be able to use the DataDog integration to apply tags when sending BlazeMeter metrics to the DataDog APM — allowing BlazeMeter data to be filtered within Datadog.

This integration can help you effectively monitor and optimize your application performance. Specifically, BlazeMeter users will be able to leverage the following the Datadog integration:

  • Comprehensive Performance Overview — Detailed insights into both application and infrastructure performance during and after tests. Datadog metrics complemented by BlazeMeter metrics.
  • Effortless Account Connection — Simply input the user’s Datadog credentials in BlazeMeter to establish the link.
  • Customizable Metric Selection — Design a Datadog profile that specifies which metrics are pertinent during the load test.
  • Smooth Test Integration — Seamlessly blend the Datadog setup into performance tests.
  • Enhanced Report Insight — BlazeMeter Timeline report now furnishes an all-encompassing view that includes both Datadog and BlazeMeter performance metrics. All your data is in one central location.
  • BlazeMeter Metrics Tags — Easily and quickly filter BlazeMeter metrics in DataDog by applying tags to desired metrics.
Datadog and BlazeMeter insights in one report
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Bottom Line

The ability to clearly see performance test metrics such as CPU, storage, and memory in real-time can go a long way in better optimizing those tests while saving time and money. The newly released Datadog integration with BlazeMeter does exactly that. 

Now testers can use the valuable time saved with this integration doing what matters most — creating and executing efficient performance tests. 

Ready to get started? Unlock the next level of performance testing by leveraging BlazeMeter for free! 

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