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Stress Testing with JMeter

There are many stress testing tools, and ab is also a commonly used one. This time, let's try JMeter.

I previously used ab (ApacheBench), the built-in stress testing tool from Apache, but found it less convenient. After some research, I discovered a tool called JMeter.

Installing JDK

Since JMeter is developed in Java, we need a Java Runtime Environment (JRE). For simplicity, we’ll install the full JDK (Java Development Kit):

  1. Visit the official Oracle download page:
    https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
  2. Select JDK download:
    JDK Download
    JDK Download
  3. Accept the license agreement and download the appropriate version for your OS (Windows in this case):
    JDK Version
    JDK Version
  4. Run the installer with default settings (note the installation directory):
    JDK Installation
    JDK Installation

Configuring Environment Variables

  1. Locate the JDK’s bin directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-11.0.1\bin) and copy the path.
    JDK Bin Path
    JDK Bin Path
  2. Add to System Path:
    • Right-click Computer → Properties → Advanced system settings
    • Environment Variables → Select Path → Edit
      Environment Variables
      Environment Variables
  3. Paste the JDK bin path into the Path variable:
    Path Configuration
    Path Configuration
  4. Verify by running java --version in Command Prompt:
    Java Version Check
    Java Version Check

Installing JMeter

  1. Download JMeter from the official site:
    http://jmeter.apache.org/download_jmeter.cgi
    JMeter Download
    JMeter Download
  2. Extract the ZIP file to your preferred directory (JMeter is portable).
  3. Launch JMeter by running bin/jmeter.bat:
    JMeter Launch
    JMeter Launch
  4. Set Chinese localization (optional) by editing jmeter.properties: 
    language=zh_CN

    Localization Setting
    Localization Setting

Usage Guide

  1. Create a new test plan: File → New
    New Test Plan
    New Test Plan
  2. Add a Thread Group:
    • Right-click Test Plan → Add → Threads (Users) → Thread Group
      Add Thread Group
      Add Thread Group
  3. Configure Thread Group:
    • Number of Threads (users): 200 (concurrent users)
    • Ramp-Up Period: 2 seconds (100 users per second)
    • Loop Count: 5 (total requests = 200 × 5 = 1000)
      Thread Group Settings
      Thread Group Settings
  4. Add an HTTP Request:
    • Right-click Thread Group → Add → Sampler → HTTP Request
      Add HTTP Request
      Add HTTP Request
  5. Configure HTTP Request:
    • Server Name/IP: example.com
    • Path: /api/test
      HTTP Request Settings
      HTTP Request Settings
  6. Add listeners for results:
    • View Results Tree
    • Summary Report
      Add Listeners
      Add Listeners
  7. Run the test (Run → Start) and save the test plan when prompted:
    Run Test
    Run Test
  8. View results in listeners:
    Test Results
    Test Results

    Aggregate Report
    Aggregate Report

Aggregate Report Metrics Explained

Metric Description
Label Name of the request (e.g., HTTP Request)
# Samples Total requests sent to the server
Average Average response time per request
Median 50th percentile response time
90% Line 90th percentile response time
95% Line 95th percentile response time
99% Line 99th percentile response time
Min Minimum response time
Max Maximum response time
Error % Error rate = (Failed requests / Total requests) × 100
Throughput Requests per second (RPS)
Received KB/sec Data received per second from the server
Sent KB/sec Data sent per second from the client