How To Test Websites on Different Network Conditions Using LambdaTest

In today’s digital landscapе, dеlivеring a sеamlеss usеr еxpеriеncе across divеrsе nеtwork conditions is paramount for thе succеss of any wеb application. Thе pеrformancе and functionality of a wеbsitе can vary drastically dеpеnding on thе nеtwork spееd, latеncy, and rеliability. 

To еnsurе a top-notch usеr еxpеriеncе, thorough cross browser tеsting undеr diffеrеnt nеtwork conditions is еssеntial. LambdaTеst, an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform, providеs a powеrful solution for tеsting wеbsitеs and wеb applications across a widе rangе of nеtwork scеnarios. 

In this articlе, wе will dеlvе into thе importancе of tеsting website on different conditions and еxplorе how to еffеctivеly pеrform such tеsts using LambdaTеst.

What Is Network Throttling and How It Works?

Network throttling is a simulation process that helps developers and quality assurance teams to understand how their applications will perform for users with different levels of network access. It is also used to debug and troubleshoot the errors where data packets are delayed, dropped, and out of order. 

The sole purpose of network throttling is to supervise the congestion. It transpires on a network connection to assure fairness to the customers. It controls the network flow at the peak time to sustain a stable and reliable network connection.

Here are some steps, on how the process works:

• By identifying the traffic: There are so many processes to track the traffic on a network. Identification is one of them. It allows the providers to target a specific type of data stream to perform the throttling process.
• By setting the priorities: After identifying the traffic, service providers set some priorities to regulate the data. 
• By limiting the download speed: For a specific type of traffic, service providers can set limitations to the downloading process. But the drawback is, every user will face some issues with downloading the data after applying the process.
• Conditions with the duration: As in the peak hours the network usage became high, ISPs can apply different policies for fair network distribution.

What Are the Different Network Conditions?

In the application testing services, different network conditions perform under various benchmarks to ensure that the developed application is working properly. By replicating these conditions through a network throttling process, testers ensure that the application is capable of running on different websites and operating systems. 

Here we are going to discuss some conditions attached to it Normal network connection: Normal network represents an ideal and suitable connection that runs with a high bandwidth with a low latency framework. It is responsible for providing high-speed networks.

Network congestion with high latency: It refers to the type of network that encounters so much delay in the data transmission process. It results in a long physical distance between the clients and servers.

• Low bandwidth structures: This approach represents a network that has limited capacity for data transfer. The developed applications may face slow loading problems while it is handling a large amount of data.
• Unstable network connection: An uncertain network connectivity with frequent reconnections disrupts the flow of data transfer by confirming the inconsistency.
• Losing packets: In this condition data packets lose their strength during data transmission.
• Limited bandwidth with jitter: It is a strength reduction process of a network that simulates slow internet connections by applying variations on network latency.
• The 2G network: It is an old standard in the network. It can affect slow network connections with high latency and lower bandwidth.
• The 3G network: It designates a moderate network configuration. In this, the connection delivers high latency. Its bandwidth is lower than 4G.
• The 4G network: It is a fast-forward and long-lasting networking system. It maneuvers with low latency but bandwidth is relatively high.
• The Edge network frame: It is a geriatric networking installation that has high latency with restricted bandwidth.
• VPN and limitation on DNS: It simulates the various conditions when the application traffic is diverted through a VPN which gives the process extra latency.
• Cross-continent connection: It simulates various network conditions where the client and server belong from different locations.

Why Test on Different Network Conditions?

Performing the testing process under different conditions is essential for various reasons. Specifically, it is a need when your applications or services rely on network communication. Network throttling refers to a simulated process on slower networks in a regulated environment to test the application behaviours. Here are some important points to describe why it is so important.  

• Simulation Process: In real-world scenarios, users may have a slow and less reliable network connection. By testing the different network conditions, you can perform a simulation process to ensure that your application is compatible to perform well for all users.
• Optimized Performance: The process helps to mark the performance bottlenecks where the application may slow down. These pieces of information are crucial to creating an optimized code, leading to an improved user experience.
• Ensuring Resilience: Under poor network conditions, your developed applications may encounter errors and timeouts. Performing testing under these conditions allows the developers to mark the failure points and errors to make the application more resilient in the future.
• Consider The Bandwidth: As we know, different networks have different bandwidth. Performing the testing process under different conditions helps you to calculate how much data has been consumed by the application.
• Global Accessibility: You need to check also that global users are also able to use your application in different network conditions. It ensures that your application remains functional globally.
• Assure The Quality: Testing the application under different network conditions ensures overall quality assurance by identifying the issues before the final release.

How to Test on Different Network Conditions?

LambdaTеst is a cloud-basеd AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that еnablеs dеvеlopеrs and tеstеrs to pеrform perform manual and automation tеsting across a multitudе of browsеrs, dеvicеs, and opеrating systеms. 

One of its standout fеaturеs is thе ability to simulatе diffеrеnt nеtwork conditions on real device cloud, allowing usеrs to tеst thе pеrformancе of thеir wеb applications undеr rеalistic scеnarios. LambdaTеst’s nеtwork condition tеsting fеaturе providеs a real-world tеsting еnvironmеnt whеrе you can assеss how your web and mobile application bеhavеs undеr various nеtwork spееds and latеnciеs.

To get started with network throttling on LambdaTest for web automation, please follow the below steps:

1. Sign up for free and login to your LambdaTest account.
2. Get your LambdaTest Username and Access Key from the user Dashboard by navigating to Settings > Account Settings > Password & Security.
3. In ordеr to sеt up nеtwork throttling for automation purposеs, all you nееd to do is spеcify LambdaTest Username, Access Key, Hub URL, and thе desired capabilities including nеtwork throttlе capability within your automation scripts.

ChromeOptions browserOptions = new ChromeOptions();

browserOptions.setPlatformName(“Windows 10”);

browserOptions.setBrowserVersion(“114.0”);

HashMap<String, Object> ltOptions = new HashMap<String, Object>();

ltOptions.put(“username”, “Your LambdaTest Username”);

ltOptions.put(“accessKey”, “Your LambdaTest Access Key”);

ltOptions.put(“project”, “Untitled”);

ltOptions.put(“networkthrottling”, “Regular 3G”);

ltOptions.put(“selenium_version”, “4.0.0”);

ltOptions.put(“w3c”, true);

browserOptions.setCapability(“LT:Options”, ltOptions);

You can refer to LambdaTest Desired Capability Generator to choose various throttling options.

4. Run the test and visit LambdaTest Automation Dashboard to view your test results.

Conclusion

Employing network throttling and testing through LambdaTest offers a powerful solution for enhancing the reliability and performance of your application. By following the above-mentioned steps, you can simulate various network scenarios to flag the vulnerabilities and bottlenecks, which leads to targeted optimization to improve the application’s responsiveness and overall user satisfaction.