Working with Instant Tests

ThousandEyes tests run as either scheduled measurements or on-demand instant tests.

Scheduled Test

A scheduled test performs measurements periodically and visualizes the results for the particular test round. A test round is one measurement cycle. You can configure the periodicity of test rounds from the test configuration window by changing the interval. All Network and App Synthetics tests are available in scheduled form.

Endpoint Agents support HTTP server and agent-to-server tests in scheduled test forms.

A scheduled test round is similar to an instant test round for all tests except page load and transaction tests. For these two test types, a scheduled version records a screenshot only if the test fails, while instant tests always record a screenshot.

Instant Test

Unlike the scheduled counterpart, an instant test performs the measurement only once. You can use the instant test feature to troubleshoot problems without waiting for a scheduled test, or to validate a new test's configuration. Before running an instant test, you can adjust an existing test's configuration, such as adding new agents or increasing timeout values.

The visualization of collected instant test results uses the same views as scheduled tests, keeping the user experience uniform and simple. You can save data for later review and create snapshots to share with interested parties.

Limitations

Instant tests have the following limitations:

• The ThousandEyes Alerts feature is not available for instant tests.

• Routing Layer/BGP tests are not supported.

Required Permissions

In order to run an instant test, you must be assigned to a role with the following permissions enabled:

• One or more login permissions, such as Login via ThousandEyes login page or Login via Single Sign-On

• View agents in account group

• A permission that allows instant test execution, such as one of the following:

  • Run instant tests, or

  • _Edit tests

Users assigned to a role with the Edit Tests permission enabled can modify configurations before running the instant test or save the configuration as a new scheduled test. Users without the Edit Tests permission can still run instant tests but cannot save changes to the test settings.

Running an Instant Test

You can run instant tests from a new test configuration, from an existing test view, or by rerunning a previous instant test.

Validating a New Test Configuration

1. Navigate to Network & App Synthetics > Test Settings > Tests tab.

2. Click + Add New Test and select your desired test type from the Quick Create menu.

3. Complete the required test configuration as described in Working with Test Settings.

Add New Test menu showing test type options

Once your test is configured:

1. Click the Instant Test button to run an instant test using the current settings.

   

   Instant Test button on the test configuration screen
2. A notification message confirms that the test is running. Click Open on the notification to view the results in a new tab, allowing you to preserve the configuration window.

   

   Instant test link generated notification
3. Click Deploy to save the configuration and start running a scheduled test.

Running from an Existing Test View

1. Navigate to Network & App Synthetics > Views and select a test from the test menu.

2. From the test view, click the Run Instant Test drop-down menu in the top right corner.

3. Select one of the following options:

   • Without changes to immediately run an instant test with the existing test settings.

   • Modify test (on Test Settings Page) to open the test configuration. You can make adjustments to the test settings here, and then run an instant test with this new configuration.

Run Instant Test drop-down menu with options Without changes and Modify test

Rerunning an Instant Test Result

When you first execute an instant test, it takes some time for agents to collect and return the metrics. The test view initially displays "No Data", and the Run Again button is unavailable. The Partial data link above the timeline shows an estimated time until completion.

Instant test view showing partial data message and greyed out Run Again button

Once the data fully populates on the timeline, you can click Run Again to re-run the instant test with the same settings.

Run Again button active on a completed instant test result

Viewing Instant Test Results

Once an instant test completes, the instant test view appears. From this view, you can select individual views and tabs, or re-run the test.

The information in this view is not retained permanently. Before navigating away, use the controls in the top right of the instant test view to act on the results:

• Run Again: Re-run the configured instant test, creating another round of data.

• Snapshot: Open the drop-down and select Save a Snapshot to retain the instant test data and generate a shareable link, or View All Snapshots to browse existing snapshots. For more information, see Sharing Test Data.

• Open In New Tab: Open the current view in a new browser tab so you can keep the configuration window open alongside it.

• Back To Views: Return to the Views page without saving a snapshot.

Open In New Tab, Back To Views, and Snapshot drop-down with Save a Snapshot and View All Snapshots

Notes

• ThousandEyes assigns instant tests to the front of the queue for their test type. If the agent is currently performing another test, that test must complete before the instant test can start.

• Results appear as soon as they are available. If an agent displays "No Data", this means that the test has not completed.

• You cannot edit settings after you initiate the test. If you wish to add an agent or change the target, you must start a new instant test.

Related Articles

• For information on how to share your results, see Sharing Test Data.

• For an explanation of the duration for which test data is preserved, see How long is data accessible?.