Pulse(3.2)

This section describes the Pulse agent. This is a collection agent for real-time workflow configurations. 

The Pulse agent is useful for testing purposes since it functions both as a collection agent and an internal data source. You can use this agent to generate random or specific data while simulating various traffic patterns through stochastic distributions.

The Pulse agent configuration contains the following tabs:

  • Interval
  • Data

Interval tab

The Interval tab contains configuration settings related to the interval type and the related time parameters that control how often the pulse UDRs will be generated.

FieldDescription

Time Unit

Select the time unit that is applicable to the time fields on this tab.

Interval Type

Select an interval type that corresponds with the desired generation of Pulse UDRs.

Fixed - UDRs are generated at a fixed time interval

Linear - UDRs are generated at a linearly increasing or decreasing time interval. (try to simplify)

Gaussian - UDRs are generated according to a Gaussian probability distribution.

Poisson - UDRs are generated according to a Poisson process.

Single - A single UDR is generated at workflow start.

Interval

Specify the interval between the pulses according to the Time Unit selected above. 

Interval is available when the selected Interval Type is Fixed.

Start

Specify the start interval between pulses.

Start is available when the selected Interval Type is Linear.

Stop

Specify the final interval between pulses.

Stop is available when the selected Interval Type is Linear.

Rate

Specify the value that is incremented or decremented from the interval when a Pulse UDR is generated. Use a positive value to increment and a negative value to decrement.

Rate is available when the selected Interval Type is Linear.

Central Interval

When the selected Interval Type is Gaussian, enter the median interval between Pulse UDRs in the probability distribution.

When the selected Interval Type is Poisson, enter 1/(expected number of Pulse UDRs per time unit).

Example - Poisson interval type

Expected number of Pulse UDRs is five (5) per second, so 0.2 seconds between UDRs.

Select MILLISECONDS in Time Unit and enter 200 in Central Interval.

Central Interval is available when the selected Interval Type is Gaussian or Poisson.

Width

Enter the standard deviation of the probability distribution. When you use a low value, the intervals tend to be close to the value of the Central Interval. Use a high value to spread the intervals over a wider range.

Width is available when the selected Interval Type is Gaussian.

Note!

The real value of the configured interval length is an approximate and must not be used for time-sensitive tasks. To get the most accurate pulse-delay, use fixed time intervals.

Data tab

The Data tab includes settings that control the contents of the Pulse UDRs. The Data tab has the following fields:

FieldDescription
Random With Range

Select this radio button to populate the Sequence field in the Pulse UDRs with a random integer. The range of the values are specified in the Range fields.

Sequential

Select this radio button to populate the Sequence field in the Pulse UDRs with a value from an infinite sequence starting at 0. The sequence is reset when a workflow is restarted.

Sequential With Range

Select this radio button to populate the Sequence field in the Pulse UDRs with a value from a finite sequence. The range of the values are specified in the Range fields. The sequence is reset when a workflow is restarted or when the end value is reached.

RangeEnter the start and end value of the sequence. You can use negative values but the end value must be greater than the start value.
Random DataSelect this radio button to generate random data in the Data field of the Pulse UDRs. The data is generated when the workflow starts and each UDR will contain the same data.
SizeEnter the size of the random data and select the byte unit from the drop-down list.
Enter Data

Enter the data that is to be populated in the Data field of the Pulse UDRs.