Capacity Testing

Capacity testing complements load testing by determining the particular server’s failure point. Load testing, on the other hand, monitors results at different levels of load and traffic patterns. Capacity testing enables identification of a scaling strategy to assess whether to upgrade the current server(s) or employ additional servers, also known as scaling out. The purpose of capacity testing is to determine how many maximum concurrent users a web-based system can handle. This type of testing is referred to as performance testing, where the amount of traffic exposed to the system is regulated and the resulting performance is measured at different traffic loads (Macintosh, 2000).

The table below presents an overview of testing techniques and their main objectives.

Load testing Stress testing Capacity testing
Verify application behaviour under normal and peak load conditions. 

Enable measurements of performance variables.

 Verify application behaviour when pushed beyond operational limits. 

Uncover weak “links”.

 Determine server failure point. 

Identify scaling strategy.

Table 3.1: Goals of load, stress and capacity testing

September 28, 2007 | Filed Under Testing/Quality Assurance 

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