How to Get Synthetics Monitoring to Work in New Relic?

Are you looking for ways to effectively monitor the performance and availability of your web applications? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up synthetics monitoring in New Relic.

Synthetics monitoring allows you to simulate user interactions with your applications, helping you proactively detect and resolve issues before they impact your users.

Let's dive in and explore how you can get synthetics monitoring up and running in New Relic.

Introduction to Synthetics Monitoring

Synthetics monitoring is a powerful tool that allows you to monitor the performance and availability of your web applications from various locations around the world.

It helps you gain insights into how your applications perform for users in different geographical regions, providing valuable data to optimize your application's performance.

Setting Up Your New Relic Account

To get started with synthetics monitoring in New Relic, you need to have a New Relic account. If you don't have one, visit the New Relic website and sign up for an account.

Once you have your account set up, log in to the New Relic dashboard to proceed with the configuration.

Creating Synthetic Checks

In New Relic, synthetic checks are the heart of synthetics monitoring. They allow you to define the user interactions you want to simulate on your web applications.

To create a synthetic check, follow these steps:

1. From the New Relic dashboard, navigate to the Synthetics tab.
2. Click on "Create a new synthetic check" and choose the appropriate monitor type.
3. Configure the check by providing details such as the URL, locations, frequency, and the type of interaction you want to simulate (e.g., clicking a button, submitting a form).
4. Save the check and proceed to configure additional settings if needed.

Configuring Monitor Settings

Once you've created your synthetic checks, you can further customize their settings to meet your monitoring requirements. Some of the key settings to consider include:

• Alert conditions: Define the conditions that trigger alerts when your applications' performance deviates from the expected thresholds.
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• Notification channels: Set up notifications to be sent to the appropriate teams or individuals when issues are detected.
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• Maintenance windows: Specify time periods during which synthetic checks should be paused to avoid false-positive alerts during scheduled maintenance.

Monitoring Your Applications

With your synthetic checks and monitor settings in place, it's time to start monitoring your applications. New Relic will automatically execute the synthetic checks based on the configured frequency and locations.

You can view the results in the New Relic dashboard and gain insights into the performance and availability of your applications.

Analyzing Synthetics Data

New Relic provides comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities to help you analyze the synthetics data. You can generate performance reports, identify trends, and pinpoint areas for optimization.

Use the powerful visualization tools to gain actionable insights and make informed decisions to enhance your applications' performance.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

In the process of setting up synthetics monitoring, you may encounter some common issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

1. Authentication: Ensure that your synthetic checks are configured with the correct authentication details, such as API keys or login credentials.
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3. Scripting errors: Review the synthetic scripts used in your checks and identify any errors or inconsistencies.
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5. Network connectivity: Check for any network issues that might prevent the synthetic checks from running successfully.
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7. Geographical variations: Consider regional variations in your application's performance and adjust your synthetic checks accordingly.

Integrating Synthetics with New Relic APM

To gain deeper insights into your application's performance, you can integrate synthetics monitoring with New Relic APM (Application Performance Monitoring).

This integration allows you to correlate synthetic data with real-time performance metrics and traces captured by New Relic APM. It provides a holistic view of your application's health and performance.

Best Practices for Synthetics Monitoring

To make the most out of synthetics monitoring in New Relic, consider the following best practices:

1. Regularly review and update your synthetic checks: As your application evolves, ensure that your synthetic checks accurately reflect the user interactions and workflows.

1. Leverage multiple locations: Monitor your applications from various geographic locations to ensure a consistent user experience globally.

1. Set up meaningful alert conditions: Define alert conditions that align with your application's performance objectives and user expectations.

1. Collaborate with teams: Share synthetics monitoring insights with relevant teams, such as developers and operations, to drive continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Synthetics monitoring in New Relic is a powerful tool for proactively monitoring the performance and availability of your web applications. By setting up synthetic checks and configuring monitor settings, you can gain valuable insights into your application's performance from various locations.

Integrating synthetics with New Relic APM provides a comprehensive view of your application's health. Follow best practices, troubleshoot common issues, and leverage the analytics capabilities to optimize your application's performance effectively.

How to Get Synthetics Monitoring

FAQs

Q1: How often should I create synthetic checks for my applications?

A1: The frequency of synthetic checks depends on your specific use case and the criticality of your applications. Consider factors like user traffic, geographical distribution, and performance objectives to determine the appropriate frequency.

Q2: Can I simulate user interactions beyond basic clicks and form submissions?

A2: Yes, New Relic Synthetics supports advanced scripting capabilities. You can simulate complex user interactions, such as scrolling, mouse movements, and data extraction, to closely mimic real-user behavior.

Q3: Can I integrate synthetics monitoring with other monitoring tools?

A3: New Relic offers various integrations with popular monitoring tools and platforms. You can integrate synthetics data with external systems to centralize your monitoring and observability workflows.

Q4: How can I ensure my synthetic checks reflect changes in my applications?

A4: Regularly review and update your synthetic checks as your applications evolve. Keep an eye on new features, workflows, and user interactions to accurately monitor their performance.

Q5: Is synthetics monitoring suitable for both web and mobile applications?

A5: Yes, New Relic Synthetics supports monitoring both web and mobile applications. You can create synthetic checks tailored to your specific application type and gain insights into their performance.