How to Get Synthetics Monitoring to Work in New Relic
In the fast-paced world of digital services, ensuring the reliability and performance of your applications is crucial. Synthetics monitoring is a powerful tool that helps achieve this by simulating user interactions and monitoring performance. In this article, we’ll dive into how to get synthetics monitoring to work in New Relic, a leading observability platform.
| Section | Detail | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| Creating a New Relic Account | Sign-up process involves providing basic information and email verification. | – |
| Setting Up Your Environment | Install New Relic agents on servers, containers, or cloud infrastructure. | – |
| Types of Synthetic Monitors | 1. Ping Monitor 2. Simple Browser 3. Scripted Browser 4. API Test | 4 types |
| Setting Locations | Choose multiple locations for running synthetic monitors to capture geographic performance. | Multiple global locations |
| Custom Scripts | Supports scripting languages such as JavaScript for complex user interactions. | JavaScript, etc. |
| Authentication Setup | Allows setting up authentication for monitors accessing protected areas of applications. | – |
| Viewing and Analyzing Results | Synthetic monitor results available in New Relic dashboard for detailed analysis. | – |
| Alert Configurations | Alerts can be set up via email, SMS, Slack, and other integrations. | Email, SMS, Slack, etc. |
| Performance Tips | Optimize scripts, use multiple locations, regularly update monitors. | – |
| Automation and Scheduling | Automate monitor management via New Relic APIs, schedule checks as per business needs. | New Relic APIs |
| Security Considerations | Ensure data privacy and secure synthetic monitors from unauthorized access. | – |
| APM Integration | Integrate with Application Performance Monitoring for deeper insights. | – |
| Incident Management | Use New Relic’s incident management features to handle alerts and incidents effectively. | – |
| Industry Use Cases | Examples from leaders in e-commerce, finance, and technology sectors using synthetic monitoring. | – |
| Support and Resources | Comprehensive support through documentation, community forums, and customer support. | – |
Example Metrics for Synthetics Monitoring in New Relic
| Metric | Description | Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| Uptime Monitoring | Percentage of time the website is operational. | 99.99% uptime |
| Response Time | Average time taken for the website to respond to requests. | 200 ms |
| Transaction Success Rate | Percentage of successful synthetic transactions. | 98.5% |
| Geographic Performance | Performance metrics from different global locations. | North America: 250 ms, Europe: 300 ms |
| Alert Frequency | Number of alerts generated over a specific period. | 5 alerts per week |
| Script Execution Time | Time taken to execute custom scripts. | 2 seconds |
| API Response Time | Time taken for API endpoints to respond. | 150 ms |
| Error Rate | Percentage of synthetic transactions that resulted in errors. | 1.2% |
| Monitor Count | Total number of synthetic monitors set up. | 20 monitors |
| User Journey Coverage | Number of critical user paths monitored. | 5 user journeys |
| Data Points Collected | Total number of data points collected from synthetic monitors. | 1,000 data points per day |
| Incident Resolution Time | Average time taken to resolve incidents triggered by synthetic monitors. | 30 minutes |
Example Costs Associated with New Relic Synthetics
| Cost Component | Description | Example Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Plan | Entry-level plan suitable for small applications and basic monitoring needs. | $49/month |
| Standard Plan | Suitable for medium-sized applications with moderate monitoring requirements. | $99/month |
| Pro Plan | Advanced plan for large applications requiring extensive monitoring and support. | $199/month |
| Custom Scripts Add-on | Additional cost for using advanced custom scripts for synthetic monitors. | $50/month |
| Geographic Locations Add-on | Additional cost for monitoring from multiple global locations. | $20/location/month |
| Alert Integrations | Additional cost for integrating with third-party alerting tools like Slack. | $10/integration/month |
Understanding Synthetics Monitoring
Definition and Purpose
Synthetics monitoring involves using automated scripts to mimic user behavior on websites and applications. These synthetic transactions help identify performance issues, downtime, and other critical problems before they affect real users.
Key Benefits
- Proactive Issue Detection: Identifies issues before they impact users.
- Performance Optimization: Helps in fine-tuning application performance.
- Enhanced User Experience: Ensures a smooth and responsive user experience.
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Covers various aspects such as availability, functionality, and performance.
Getting Started with New Relic
Creating a New Relic Account
First, you’ll need a New Relic account. If you don’t have one, sign up on the New Relic website. The process is straightforward, involving basic information and verification.
Setting Up Your Environment
Once your account is ready, install the New Relic agent in your environment. This could be on your servers, containers, or cloud infrastructure. The agent will collect and send data to your New Relic dashboard.
Introduction to New Relic Synthetics
What is New Relic Synthetics?
New Relic Synthetics is a feature within New Relic that allows you to create synthetic monitors to simulate user interactions and monitor application performance.
Use Cases
- Website Uptime Monitoring: Ensure your site is always available.
- API Testing: Verify the performance and reliability of your APIs.
- User Journey Testing: Simulate and test critical user paths.
Creating Your First Synthetic Monitor
Step-by-Step Guide
- Navigate to Synthetics: In your New Relic dashboard, go to the Synthetics section.
- Create a New Monitor: Click on “Create a monitor” and choose the type of monitor you want.
- Configure the Monitor: Provide the necessary details such as URL, type of monitor, and other configurations.
- Set Up Alerts: Configure alert policies to notify you of any issues.
- Save and Activate: Save your monitor and activate it to start monitoring.
Types of Synthetic Monitors
- Ping Monitor: Checks if your website is up and running.
- Simple Browser: Simulates a basic user interaction.
- Scripted Browser: Allows custom scripts for complex interactions.
- API Test: Monitors the performance of your APIs.
Configuring Synthetic Monitors
Choosing the Right Type
Select the monitor type that best suits your needs. For instance, use Ping for basic uptime checks, and Scripted Browser for more complex interactions.
Setting Locations
Choose multiple locations from which the synthetic monitors will run. This helps in understanding performance across different geographies.
Configuring Alerts
Set up alerts to notify you when something goes wrong. This could be through email, SMS, or integrations with other tools like Slack.
Advanced Configuration Options
Custom Scripts
For more advanced monitoring, use custom scripts. New Relic supports various scripting languages to simulate complex user interactions.
Authentication
Set up authentication for monitors that need to log in to access certain areas of your application.
Setting Up Variables
Use variables in your scripts to make them more dynamic and reusable across different scenarios.
Managing Synthetic Monitors
Viewing and Analyzing Results
Monitor results are available in the New Relic dashboard. Analyze the data to understand performance trends and identify issues.
Editing and Deleting Monitors
You can edit monitors to change configurations or delete them if they’re no longer needed.
Best Practices
- Regularly review and update your monitors.
- Use descriptive names and tags for easy identification.
- Schedule monitors to run at appropriate intervals.
Integrating Synthetics with Other New Relic Products
APM Integration
Integrate Synthetics with Application Performance Monitoring (APM) for deeper insights into application performance.
Dashboards and Insights
Create custom dashboards to visualize synthetic monitor data alongside other metrics.
Incident Management
Use New Relic’s incident management features to handle alerts and incidents more effectively.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Failed Checks
Identify and resolve issues causing monitor checks to fail, such as DNS problems or server downtime.
Script Errors
Debug and fix errors in your custom scripts.
Network Issues
Analyze network performance and resolve connectivity issues impacting your monitors.
Optimizing Performance with Synthetic Monitoring
Performance Tips
- Optimize your scripts for efficiency.
- Use multiple locations to identify regional performance issues.
- Regularly update and review your monitors.
Automation and Scheduling
Automate the creation and management of monitors using New Relic’s APIs. Schedule monitors to run at times that align with your business needs.
Continuous Improvement
Regularly analyze monitor data and make necessary adjustments to improve application performance continuously.
Security Considerations
Data Privacy
Ensure that your synthetic monitors comply with data privacy regulations and do not expose sensitive information.
Securing Synthetic Monitors
Implement security best practices to protect your monitors from unauthorized access and misuse.
Case Studies and Real-World Applications
Examples from Industry Leaders
Learn from industry leaders who have successfully implemented synthetic monitoring with New Relic to improve their digital services.
Lessons Learned
Discover common pitfalls and best practices from real-world implementations.
Conclusion
Synthetics monitoring in New Relic is a powerful tool for ensuring your applications are always performing at their best. By proactively monitoring performance and reliability, you can provide a seamless user experience and stay ahead of potential issues. Get started today and take your application monitoring to the next level.
FAQs
What is Synthetics Monitoring?
Synthetics monitoring uses automated scripts to simulate user interactions and monitor the performance and availability of websites and applications.
How does Synthetics Monitoring benefit my business?
It helps detect issues before they affect users, optimizes performance, and ensures a smooth user experience.
Can I use New Relic Synthetics for mobile applications?
Yes, New Relic Synthetics can be used to monitor mobile applications and their APIs.
What are the costs associated with New Relic Synthetics?
Costs vary based on the number of monitors and the frequency of checks. Refer to New Relic’s pricing page for detailed information.
How do I get support for New Relic Synthetics?
New Relic provides comprehensive support through its documentation, community forums, and customer support channels.
