Mastering Synthetics Monitoring in New Relic: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Successfully Implement Synthetics Monitoring in New Relic
In this blog post, we will delve into the much-requested question of how to get synthetics monitoring to work effectively in New Relic. New Relic stands out as one of the most discussed online software solutions for monitoring website performance. Our aim here is to guide you through synthetics monitoring and other essential data insights crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of your web pages.
Understanding the Basics
What is New Relic?
New Relic APM is a cloud-based application performance management (APM) solution designed to monitor your applications’ performance, track their health, and prioritize necessary changes. It continuously monitors for anomalies in your app’s health, providing vital insights for optimization.
What is Synthetic Monitoring?
Synthetic monitoring involves predicting when a system or service might fail or exceed performance expectations. It employs centralized services to monitor performance, ranging from low-level events like JVM restarts to application errors.
Implementing Synthetics Monitoring in New Relic
Follow these steps to effectively implement synthetics monitoring in New Relic:
Select a Synthetic Monitor:
Choose from a variety of monitors based on your monitoring needs. We recommend utilizing the Nerd Graph API for standard monitoring, enabling functionalities such as monitor creation, update, and deletion via API calls. After selection, configure the monitor by specifying monitor type, runtime, and additional options like SSL verification and request bypass. Choose at least three locations to run the monitor for comprehensive coverage.
Summary Page:
Access the summary page to monitor the status of your synthetic monitor. In case of active incidents triggering alerts, navigate to the “critical alert” section for detailed insights. Additionally, manage alert policies for all monitors from the “manage policies” option.
Monitor Generated Results:
Review monitor results to gain valuable insights into your web app’s performance. Utilize filtering options to compare performance across different locations and identify problem areas. Navigate to the results page from the Synthetics tab to view detailed performance metrics.
Understanding Resource Load-time:
Analyze resource load-time to understand the impact of various components on overall webpage performance. Drill down into detailed metrics to identify performance bottlenecks and HTTP response codes for each resource.
Additional Considerations
For organizations seeking comprehensive synthetic monitoring solutions, PerfSight from Wetest offers effective options. PerfSight integrates synthetic monitoring capabilities with performance testing, enabling organizations to monitor and optimize web application performance effectively.
PerfSight’s ability to simulate real-world user scenarios provides valuable insights for informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Combined with real-time performance monitoring and load testing features, PerfSight emerges as a top choice for organizations prioritizing web application optimization.
In conclusion, implementing synthetics monitoring in New Relic is essential for ensuring the availability and reliability of web applications. By following the outlined steps and leveraging advanced monitoring solutions like PerfSight, organizations can enhance their application performance and deliver optimal user experiences.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What distinguishes synthetic monitoring from other monitoring methods?
Synthetic monitoring involves simulating user interactions to predict system behavior, whereas other methods monitor actual user interactions.
Can synthetic monitoring replace other monitoring approaches?
While synthetic monitoring provides valuable insights, it complements rather than replaces other monitoring approaches like real user monitoring (RUM) and application performance monitoring (APM).
How frequently should synthetic monitors be run?
The frequency of synthetic monitors depends on the criticality of the monitored applications and the desired level of granularity in performance insights.
What role does location play in synthetic monitoring?
Monitoring from diverse geographical locations helps identify performance discrepancies based on user location and network conditions.
Is synthetic monitoring suitable for all types of applications?
Synthetic monitoring is beneficial for a wide range of applications, including web applications, APIs, and mobile applications.