Apache Benchmarking tools

httperf is a benchmarking tool that measures the HTTP request throughput of a web server. The way it achieves this is by sending requests to the server at a fixed rate and measuring the rate at which replies arrive. Running the test several times and with monotonically increasing request rates, one can see the reply rate level off when the server becomes saturated, i.e., when it is operating at its full capacity.

autobench is a Perl wrapper around httperf. It runs httperf a number of times against a Web server, increasing the number of requested connections per second on each iteration, and extracts the significant data from the httperf output, delivering a CSV format file which can be imported directly into a spreadsheet for analysis/graphing.

openload is a load testing tool for Web applications. It simulates a number of concurrent users and it measures transactions per second (a transaction is a completed request to the Web server) and response time.

Howto: Performance Benchmarks a Webserver

Apache Benchmark Procedures

• You need to use same hardware configuration and kernel (OS) for all tests
• You need to use same network configuration. For example, use 100Mbps port for all tests
• First record server load using top or uptime command
• Take at least 3-5 readings and use the best result
• After each test reboot the server and carry out test on next configuration (web server)
• Again record server load using top or uptime command
• Carry on test using static html/php files and dynamic pages
• It also important to carry out test using the Non-KeepAlive and KeepAlive (the Keep-Alive extension to provide long-lived HTTP sessions, which allow multiple requests to be sent over the same TCP connection) features
• Also don't forget to carry out test using fast-cgi and/or perl tests

Cross Browser compatibility testing

Cross Browser Testing Tools

Browsershots

Browsershots is a popular free service that will provide screen shots of a page from just about any browser from all of the common operating systems. All you have to do is enter your URL and select the browsers and operating systems that you want to test. Browsershots will then enter your information into the queue, and in a few minutes you should have the screen shots.
There is a paid option that will give you priority over the free requests. When the service is busy it can take a while to get the free screen shots, but you can pay $15 per month for priority processing.

BrowserCam

BrowserCam provides several different services for browser testing. There is a browser capture option that will give you screen shots from any browser and any operating system. There is also a device capture option for working with Blackberry and PDAs. The Remote Access service will test JavaScript DHTML, forms and other dynamic functionality on any platform.
BroswerCam is a paid service with options for daily, monthly, or yearly. They also offer a free trial that will allow you to test the screen capture service by getting up to 200 screen captures within the 24-hour trial.

NetMechanic Browser Photo

Brower Photo from NetMechanic is a paid service that will allow you to test different versions of Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox and Safari on Windows, Mac and Linux. You can test on various screen resolutions as well.
Browser Photo has a nice print-friendly feature that will help you to show clients or bosses how you’ve test the site and how it appears on different browsers. You can get Browser Photo for $15 for one-time use, or $150 per domain per year for unlimited use.

Litmus

Litmus provides testing on all major browsers and also produces bug reporting to help you identify and correct any errors. Once the testing is complete you can produce a compatibility report to share with clients. In addition to website testing, Litmus also offers testing of HTML emails in all major email clients, and also runs your messages through spam filters and identifies any problems so you can get more of your messages read.
There is a limited version of Litmus available for free. Additionally, there is a day pass with full access (minus spam analysis) for $24, an individual subscription for $49 per month, or a team subscription for $199 per month.

IE NetRenderer

IE NetRenderer is a free tool that’s great for testing websites in Internet Explorer, typically the most troublesome browser. With IE NetRenderer all you have to do is choose a version of IE and enter the URL that you want to test, and you’ll instantly get a screen shot of the page being tested.

BrowserCamp

BrowserCamp allows you to test the compatibility of your design with Mac OS X browsers. You can quickly enter the URL that you want to test and get a full length screen shot at several different screen widths. Additionally, for full testing you can pay $3 for a two-day subscription, or $99 for a one-year subscription, with a few options in between.

IE Tester from DebugBar

IE Tester from DebugBar s a free web browser that allows you to have the rendering and JavaScript engines of IE8 beta 2, IE7 IE 6 and IE5.5 on Vista and XP, as well as the installed IE in the same process.

CrossBrowserTesting

CrossBrowserTesting.com will allow you to test your website, including AJAX and JavaScript. The service is free for less than 5 minutes per session, or you can buy credits for additional minutes. There are no monthly subscription fees, just pay for what you use.

ieCapture

ieCapture is a free tool for getting screen shots from websites in Internet Explorer. It’s very simple, just enter a URL and in a moment your screen shot will appear.

iPhoney

iPhoney is a free iPhone web simulator for designers. To use iPhoney you’ll have to download the program, but there is no cost.

Multiple IE testing tool

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Download multiple IE here: http://tredosoft.com/Multiple_IE

Spoon

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http://spoon.net/browsers/

Adobe® BrowserLab

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This is a high quality browser compatibility online service from Adobe. BrowserLab is ideal for professional web designers and web developers to ensure that their website is compatible on multiple browsers and operating systems.
Adobe® BrowserLab Service

Compatibility Testing

1. Cross Browser compatibility testing 

2. Network Compatibility Testing