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Abstract

A monitoring system allows users to monitor the post-deployment performance of a web-based or other transactional server. The system includes an agent component ('agent') which can be installed on computers ('agent computers') that have access to the transactional server, including computers of actual users of the transactional server. The agent simulates the actions of actual users of the transactional server while monitoring the server's performance. The specific transactions to be performed by the agent computers are specified by testcases that are dispatched to the agent computers using a controller component ('controller'). As each agent computer executes a testcase, it reports the execution results (performance data) in real-time to a web-based reports server which stores the results in a centralized database. The performance data may include, for example, server response times, screen display sequences for failed transactions, measured segment delays along network paths, and identifiers of 'broken' web site links. Authorized personnel can access the reports server using a standard web browser to view the collected performance data via a series of customizable reports. Using the controller, the user can also assign testcase execution schedules to the agent computers, including periodic schedules that provide for continuous or near-continuous monitoring of the transactional server. In addition, the user can specify alert conditions which cause personnel to be immediately notified (e.g., by pager) of problems. The controller and the reports server also provide functions for allowing the user to monitor the operation of the transactional server according to the attributes of the agent computers, such as the locations, organizations, and ISPs of such computers.

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First Claim