How to resolve Issues faced during counter collection in Load Test run?

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You may come across some issues while collecting counters using Load Test. These 2 types of issues are most common:

1) Not able to access performance counter category on a computer

You’ll get this kind of error message in this scenario:

The performance counter category 'Network Interface' cannot be accessed on computer 'ComputerName' (Access is denied) ; check that the category and computer names are correct.

2) Timed Out while reading a performance counter category

You’ll get this kind of error message in this scenario:

The performance counter category ‘Memory’ cannot be accessed on computer ‘'ComputerName' (Timed out trying to read performance counter category ‘Memory’ on computer ‘'ComputerName' ); check that the category and computer names are correct.

There are  are multiple reasons which can cause issues mentioned above / other issues during counter collection. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what causes these issues and how to resolve them.

These are the main reasons which creates problems in collecting counters:

  1. Firewall Issue: Performance Logs & Alerts should be in allowed program list in firewall on a box from which you want to collect counter.
  2. Permissions issue: User account with which controller is running should be member of  Performance Log Users, Performance Monitor Users, or Administrators group on box from where you want to collect counters.
  3. Service Issue:  
    • Performance Logs & Alerts service should be running on box from where you want to collect counter.
    • Remote Registry service should be enabled and running on box from where you want to collect counter.
  4. Timeout Issue: Timeout may happen if you are collecting counters from remote / slow box e.g. remote web server. We can increase the timeout by adding this key in controller config file Controller.exe.config:

<appSettings>
<add key="LoadTestCounterCategoryReadTimeout" value="60000"/>
<add key="LoadTestCounterCategoryExistsTimeout" value="60000"/>
< /appSettings>

You’ll find Controller.exe.config inside %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE at your test controller box. In case you are not using test controller and doing a local run then please add above mentioned key in devenv.exe.config which you’ll find inside %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE at your client (VS Ultimate) box.

Above steps should solve your issue but in case it still persists then you can post it here

Comments

  • Anonymous
    February 16, 2012
    I am getting this error:- The performance counter category 'Processor' cannot be accessed on computer 'TK3XPARCBWEB25.PARTTEST.EXTRANETTEST.MICROSOFT.COM' (The network path was not found) ; check that the category and computer names are correct.

  • Anonymous
    July 26, 2012
    You are a life saver. Thanks a million!

  • Anonymous
    August 09, 2012
    I am using VSTS2010 Ultimate on a proper Controller with Agent rig. there is no "controller.exe.config" only "qtcontroller.exe.config" I am going to attempt adding the following keys in <appSettings>   <add key="LoadTestCounterCategoryReadTimeout" value="60000"/> <add key="LoadTestCounterCategoryExistsTimeout" value="60000"/>

  • Anonymous
    November 23, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    December 11, 2012
    I have tried the steps you have mentioned. I am using VSTS2010 version and there is no controller.exe.config" only "qtcontroller.exe.config". But I am still getting the problem. When i ran the loadtest a day ago i was not getting the error and i also did not change any settings, why the error started coming suddenly. Please hlp, this is important for me.

  • Anonymous
    June 03, 2014
    This was very much helpful. Thanks!!

  • Anonymous
    June 18, 2015
    I start Performance Logs & Alerts and Remote Registry services and my issues are resolved