What is a stress test?
Stress testing is the process of determining the ability to maintain a certain level of efficiency in unfavorable conditions of a computer, network, program or device.
This process may include quantitative tests that are performed in a laboratory, such as measurement of error frequency or system failure. The term also refers to a qualitative assessment of factors such as availability or resistance to denial of service (DoS) attacks. Stress testing is usually done along with a more general performance test.
When conducting stress tests, an adverse environment is intentionally created and maintained. Related actions may include:
- Run several applications that use many resources in the computer at the same time
- Try to hack into the computer and use it as a zombie to spread spam
- Flooding a server with useless e-mail messages
- Make multiple attempts at the same time to access a website
- Try to infect viruses, Trojans, spyware or other malware into the system.
The adversity is worsened until the performance level drops below a certain minimum threshold or the system completely stops working. To get the most useful results, the individual elements will be changed one by one. This makes it easy to identify specific weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
For example, a computer may have a lot of memory but the security capabilities are not commensurate. Such a system can run multiple applications simultaneously without a problem, but easily gets into trouble when attacked by hackers.
Stress testing can be time consuming and tedious. However, some stress testers prefer to see a system "crash" under increasingly violent attacks or when changing various factors. Stress testing can provide a means to measure degradation, the ability to maintain a system's limited functionality, even if a large portion of it has been compromised.
When the test process has caused a system failure, the final element of the stress test is to determine the extent or the speed at which a system can recover from an adverse event.
You should read it
- How to Stress Test Hard Drives on Your Computer or Server?
- 8 stress test tools useful for CPU
- How to perform graphical stress test on Linux
- 9 effective ways to reduce stress immediately
- Psychologist from Stanford University: How to turn stress into 'you'?
- 10 ways to eliminate stress are simple and extremely effective
- 9 signs of being overly stressed
- The secret to reducing stress during the exam season for the sons
- When you feel stressed, eat these foods
- Apps that help you smash stress and anxiety
- 7 tips to deal with work stress
- 9 things you should not do when tired
Maybe you are interested
How stress can weaken the immune system
How to grow onions in a glass of water is both decorative and helps reduce stress
Learn about NightWare: Apple Watch app helps ease post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
7 Self-Soothing Techniques for Stress and Anxiety Relief
Track your stress with a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, now just $199
How to Relax, Unwind and Reduce Stress