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2.4 Endpoint Agent Tests

Configure endpoint agent tests in ThousandEyes

ThousandEyes Endpoint Agent is an application installed on end-user devices to collect network and application data. It enables IT teams to assess application performance, network connectivity, and system health from the end-user perspective.

Endpoint Agent Test Types

Endpoint Agents perform two main types of tests to measure and monitor application performance:

  • Synthetic Tests
    • Scheduled Tests: These tests are executed by Endpoint Agents at regular, predefined intervals without requiring user interaction. They can be configured to monitor performance on both the network (agent-to-server tests) and web (HTTP server tests) layers.
    • Dynamic Tests: Building upon Scheduled Tests, Dynamic Tests allow Endpoint Agents to automatically generate tests for IP addresses and ports detected when an application initiates a connection.
  • Real User Tests: When users access monitored domains from monitored networks, Endpoint Agents collect and record performance metrics related to in-browser and network performance.

Getting Started: Endpoint Agent Test Types

In addition to these test types, Endpoint Agents also include a Network Access feature that monitors and records the performance of the Endpoint's network components, such as physical wired or wireless connections, gateways, VPNs, proxies, and DNS servers.

Synthetic Tests

Configuring Endpoint Agent Test Types

Scheduled Tests

Scheduled tests run at regular intervals from Endpoint Agents, similar to tests run by Cloud and Enterprise Agents. They provide consistent performance data for network and web applications, establishing performance baselines. There are two types of scheduled tests available:

  • HTTP Server Tests
  • Network (Agent-to-Server) Tests

To configure a scheduled test:

  1. Navigate to Endpoint Agents > Test Settings in the ThousandEyes interface.
  2. Click the Create New Test button.
  3. Select either HTTP Server or Network as the test type.
  4. Configure the basic settings:
    • Test Name
    • Target (URL or IP address)
    • Interval (how often the test should run)
    • Agent Label (can be used to assign the test to specific Endpoint Agents)
  5. Set any advanced options as needed.
  6. Click Create New Test to save and activate the test.

For HTTP Server tests, you can configure options like the HTTP method, request headers, and authentication if required. Network tests allow you to choose between ICMP or TCP for probing the target.

Scheduled tests measure response time, page load time (HTTP tests), packet loss, latency, and availability. They run automatically without user interaction, providing continuous baseline performance data from end-user devices.

Dynamic Tests

Dynamic tests, previously called Automated Session Tests, automatically monitor the performance of collaboration applications like Webex, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. These tests identify and test remote targets based on observed network connections to dynamic remote servers.

To set up a dynamic test:

  1. Go to Endpoint Agents > Test Settings > Synthetic Tests.
  2. Click Monitor Application.
  3. Select the application you want to monitor (e.g., Webex, Zoom) or create a custom template.
  4. Configure the global settings for the application.
  5. Review the included tests (which are pre-configured by default).
  6. Optionally, adjust individual test configurations if needed.
  7. Specify the test interval and any alert rules.
  8. Assign the test to a label that contains the desired Endpoint Agents.
  9. Click Review and then Deploy Now to activate the dynamic test.

Dynamic tests measure latency, packet loss, jitter, and TCP connection success. The Path Visualization feature shows the hop-by-hop path from the Endpoint Agent to the application servers.

Dynamic tests are particularly useful for monitoring applications with changing infrastructure, as they adapt to new connection targets automatically.

Automated Session Testing Simplifies End User Monitoring

Real User Tests

Real User Tests, previously called Browser Sessions, capture actual user interactions with websites and web applications. These tests use the ThousandEyes browser extension to collect performance data when users access specified domains.

Real User Tests require two components:

  1. Endpoint Agent: Core software installed on the user's device.
  2. Browser Extension: Add-on for Chrome and Chromium-based browsers for in-browser metric collection.

To set up a Real User Test:

  1. Navigate to Endpoint Agents > Test Settings > Real User Tests.
  2. Click Add New Monitored Domain Set.
  3. Configure the following settings:
    • Domain Set Name
    • Monitored Domains (list of domains to monitor)
    • Excluded Subdomains (optional)
    • Agents (select which Endpoint Agents will participate)
  4. Click Add New Monitored Domain Set to save the configuration.

The browser extension must also be installed on the Endpoint Agents within the assigned label.

Real User Tests collect page load time, response time, network connectivity metrics, and in-browser performance metrics. Once configured, the Endpoint Agents will automatically collect data when users visit the specified domains, providing insights into real-world performance and user experience.

For more details, refer to the Real User Tests documentation.

Network Access

The Network Access layer provides insights into the local network environment, including gateway devices, DNS servers, and VPN servers. It consists of two parts:

  1. Network Topology: Visualizes devices in use by Endpoint Agents for Real User Tests
  2. Wireless: Displays information about wireless data (e.g., SSID, signal strength, channel)

Network Access data is continuously collected while an Endpoint Agent is online and accessing websites defined in the monitored domain set.

Endpoint Agent Views

ThousandEyes provides several views for examining test results. Each view corresponds to a specific test type and offers unique insights:

  • Scheduled Tests

    • Documentation: Endpoint Agent Scheduled Tests View
    • Purpose: Monitor performance of applications or network paths at pre-defined intervals.
    • Data Presentation:
      • Timeline: Up to 30 days of test data.
      • Map: Geographical display of agent locations and metrics.
      • Table: Detailed breakdowns of metrics.
      • Path Visualization: Network path from Endpoint Agent to target.
    • Use Case: Ensure consistent performance quality over time.

  • Dynamic Tests

    • Documentation: Endpoint Agent Dynamic Tests View
    • Purpose: Provide real-time performance data based on user interactions.
    • Data Presentation:
      • Timeline: Up to 30 days of data.
      • Tabs: Detailed metrics in Map and Table views.
      • Path Visualization: Network topology analysis.
    • Use Case: Diagnose sporadic issues not captured in scheduled tests.

  • Real User Tests

    • Documentation: Endpoint Agent Real User Tests View
    • Purpose: Capture actual user experience and interactions.
    • Data Presentation:
      • Timeline: User interactions over time.
      • Pages Tab: List of visited sites with experience scores.
      • Sessions Tab: Waterfall view of user actions on a page.
      • Map: Geographic analysis of metrics.
      • Table: Detailed metric analysis.
      • Path Visualization: Network path examination.
    • Use Case: Understand end-user experience and identify user-affecting problems.

  • Local Networks

    • Documentation: Endpoint Agent Local Networks View
    • Purpose: Provide insights into local network environment.
    • Data Presentation:
      • Network Topology: Visual representation of network devices and performance.
      • Path Visualization: Network path details.
      • Performance Metrics: Various network performance data.
    • Use Case: Diagnose VPN, DNS, and other local network-related issues.

Using Endpoint Agent Test Views

Endpoint Agent Labels

Endpoint Agent tests are assigned to agents dynamically using labels due to the frequently changing nature of local workstations.

To configure Endpoint Agent labels:

  1. Navigate to Endpoint Agents > Agent Settings > Agent Labels
  2. Click Add New Label
  3. Define the label name and choose a color
  4. Use the Filter drop-down lists to configure a filter for the label
  5. Save changes

Using Wildcards

You can use the wildcard option while configuring a label for Hostname, SSID, and Username. Example: DOMAINNAME*

Using Endpoint Agent Labels

Proxy Configuration for Endpoint Agent Tests

In enterprise environments, it's common to route traffic through proxy servers. ThousandEyes allows you to configure proxy settings specifically for Endpoint Agent scheduled tests:

  1. Go to Endpoint Agents > Agent Settings > Proxy Settings.
  2. Click Add New Proxy Config.
  3. Choose between Static or PAC file configuration.
  4. Enter the necessary proxy details (host, port, authentication if required).
  5. Optionally, configure a bypass list for direct connections to specific destinations.

These proxy settings apply only to scheduled tests and do not affect the agent's connection to ThousandEyes services.

Resources

Sample Questions

2.4 Question 1

Refer to the exhibit. An engineer is tasked with configuring a new test to monitor a web application from the employee's point of view. What two actions should be taken to fulfill the requirement?

  • A) Create a new custom application monitor
  • B) Create a new google suite monitor
  • C) Add a new scheduled test to the monitor
  • D) Add a new dynamic test to the monitor
  • E) Add a new test template

Endpoint Agent Test Configuration

Exhibit 2.4-1: Endpoint Agent Test Configuration

2.4 Question 2

You want to create an endpoint label that automatically includes all Endpoint Agents connected to your corporate network. If your agents are named using the format agentname-network, what filter would you use in the hostname field to achieve this?

  • A) *-corporate
  • B) agentname-*
  • C) agent*corporate
  • D) There is no wildcard configuration available

2.4 Question 3

What type of endpoint agent test will gather browser activity?

  • A) Scheduled tests
  • B) Dynamic tests
  • C) Real user tests
  • D) Network Access tests

2.4 Question 4

You want to monitor Microsoft Teams using ThousandEyes endpoint agents. Which tests are available for this type of application monitoring?

  • A) Scheduled tests
  • B) Dynamic tests
  • C) Scheduled, dynamic and real user tests
  • D) Scheduled and dynamic tests