Introduction
Greetings Asensio, and welcome to our guide on how to get synthetics monitoring to work in New Relic. In this article, we will discuss the importance of synthetics monitoring and how to set it up in New Relic to ensure that your website or application is running smoothly. Synthetics monitoring allows you to simulate user behavior, test your application’s functionality, and uncover any performance issues before they affect your users. Let’s begin by understanding what synthetics monitoring is and why it’s essential for your application’s success.
What is Synthetics Monitoring?
Synthetics monitoring is a technique that allows you to proactively monitor your website or application’s performance and availability. It involves simulating user behavior to test the functionality of your site or app, identifying any errors or performance issues, and addressing them before they affect your users. Synthetics monitoring provides insights into your application’s performance, allowing you to optimize its performance and improve its user experience.
Why is Synthetics Monitoring Important?
Synthetics monitoring is crucial because it enhances the user experience of your website or application. It ensures that your site is accessible, performs optimally, and provides the best possible user experience. Synthetics monitoring also detects and addresses any issues, such as slow loading times, errors or downtime, preventing them from impacting your users. By monitoring your application with synthetics, you can avoid lost revenue, reputational damage, and unhappy users.
How Does Synthetics Monitoring Work in New Relic?
Synthetics monitoring in New Relic allows you to simulate user behavior and test the functionality of your application. It consists of several components, including:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Synthetics Scripts | Scripts that simulate user behavior to test your application’s functionality |
| Synthetics Monitors | Monitors that execute Synthetics scripts and alert you when issues are detected |
| Alert Policies | Policies that specify how alerts are triggered and delivered |
| Dashboard | A customizable dashboard that displays your application’s performance metrics |
Now that we understand what synthetics monitoring is and how it works in New Relic let’s dive into how to get it set up.
Setting Up Synthetics Monitoring in New Relic
Setting up synthetics monitoring in New Relic involves three main steps:
Step 1: Creating Synthetics Scripts
The first step in setting up synthetics monitoring in New Relic is to create Synthetics scripts. These scripts simulate user behavior to test your application’s functionality. You can create Synthetics scripts in New Relic Synthetics UI, or you can import existing scripts from a repository. Once you create scripts, you can view and edit them in the Synthetics script editor.
Step 2: Creating Synthetics Monitors
After creating Synthetics scripts, the next step is to create Synthetics monitors. Synthetics monitors are a way to execute Synthetics scripts and alert you when issues are detected. You can create monitors in the Synthetics UI and specify the location, frequency, and execution options for your scripts. New Relic Synthetics offers several prebuilt monitors, such as browser monitors, API monitors, and scripted browser monitors, that you can use out of the box.
Step 3: Configuring Alert Policies and Dashboards
The final step in setting up synthetics monitoring in New Relic is to configure alert policies and dashboards. Alert policies specify how alerts are triggered and delivered when issues are detected, and dashboards display your application’s performance metrics. You can create alert policies and dashboards in the New Relic UI and customize them to suit your needs. For example, you can set up alerts to notify specific team members or create unique dashboards to monitor different aspects of your application.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between Synthetics and APM monitoring?
Synthetics monitoring focuses on analyzing and simulating user behavior and testing the functionality of your application. APM monitoring focuses on analyzing and optimizing your application’s performance by examining code-level performance issues and identifying bottlenecks in your application’s code.
2. Can I use Synthetics monitoring for non-HTTP applications?
Yes, you can use Synthetics monitoring for non-HTTP applications. New Relic Synthetics offers several prebuilt monitors, such as API monitors and scripted browser monitors, that allow you to test non-HTTP applications.
3. Do I need to know how to code to use Synthetics monitoring in New Relic?
No, you do not need to know how to code to use Synthetics monitoring in New Relic. However, having a basic understanding of coding can be useful when creating and editing Synthetics scripts.
4. Can I use Synthetics monitoring for load testing?
Yes, you can use Synthetics monitoring for load testing. New Relic Synthetics offers a load testing feature that allows you to simulate heavy user traffic and analyze your application’s performance under load.
5. How much does Synthetics monitoring cost?
The cost of Synthetics monitoring depends on the number of synthetic checks and the frequency of monitoring. New Relic offers several pricing plans, and you can choose a plan that fits your organization’s needs and budget.
6. Can I integrate Synthetics monitoring with other third-party tools?
Yes, you can integrate Synthetics monitoring with other third-party tools using New Relic’s REST API. The API allows you to retrieve Synthetics data and use it with other tools.
7. How can I ensure that my Synthetics scripts are running correctly?
You can ensure that your Synthetics scripts are running correctly by checking their execution logs. Execution logs provide insights into the script’s execution, including the HTTP response time, error messages, and other performance metrics. You can view execution logs in the Synthetics UI.
8. How often should I run Synthetics checks?
The frequency of Synthetics checks depends on the nature of your application and its usage. However, it is recommended that you run Synthetics checks at least once every five minutes to detect and address issues promptly.
9. Can I schedule Synthetics checks?
Yes, you can schedule Synthetics checks using New Relic Synthetics. Scheduling allows you to run Synthetics checks at specific intervals, such as daily or weekly.
10. Can I create custom Synthetics scripts?
Yes, you can create custom Synthetics scripts in New Relic Synthetics using JavaScript. Custom scripts allow you to tailor your Synthetics monitoring to your application’s specific needs.
11. How long does it take to set up Synthetics monitoring in New Relic?
The time it takes to set up Synthetics monitoring in New Relic depends on the complexity of your application and the number of Synthetics checks and monitors you need to create. However, with New Relic’s user-friendly interface and prebuilt monitors, you can set up Synthetics monitoring in a matter of hours.
12. Can Synthetics monitoring detect network issues?
Yes, Synthetics monitoring can detect network issues. Synthetics monitors can detect issues related to DNS resolution, connection time, and response time, allowing you to identify and address network issues as soon as possible.
13. How can I troubleshoot Synthetics monitoring issues?
You can troubleshoot Synthetics monitoring issues by examining the execution logs of your Synthetics scripts, verifying the specifications of your Synthetics monitors, and checking the status of your alert policies. New Relic offers detailed documentation and troubleshooting guides to help you resolve any issues you may encounter.
Conclusion
As you can see, synthetics monitoring is a crucial tool for ensuring that your website or application is running smoothly and providing the best possible user experience. Setting up synthetics monitoring in New Relic is a simple process that involves creating Synthetics scripts and monitors, configuring alert policies and dashboards, and customizing them to suit your needs. With New Relic Synthetics, you can proactively monitor your application’s performance, optimize its performance, and improve its user experience. We hope you found this guide helpful, and we encourage you to start using New Relic Synthetics monitoring today!
Closing Statement with Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we have made every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, we make no claims or guarantees about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the article or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the article. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.