Dynatrace Synthetic for DevOps and SREs: New Features Explained

Summary

In this observability lab, Yat introduces the new capabilities of the Dina Trace Synthetic App on the Dina platform, highlighting improvements in HTTP monitors and network availability checks. The discussion covers the ease of setting up synthetic tests, integrating them into workflows for deployment validation, and leveraging powerful analytics features like scatter plots and DQL for in-depth analysis. With support for credential vaults, advanced JavaScript scripting, and customizable dashboards, this app simplifies monitoring and automation, allowing DevOps engineers and developers to easily ensure the health and performance of critical systems. The session also hints at upcoming sessions on network monitoring and automation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Dynatrace Synthetic Monitoring app helps engineers, developers, and site reliability teams ensure critical systems and APIs are functioning as expected, measuring availability, performance, and correctness.
• 😀 The new Dynatrace Synthetic Monitoring app integrates into the Dynatrace platform, with no need to migrate existing monitors from the classic interface.
• 😀 HTTP monitors are the focus of the recent updates in the Synthetic app, but future improvements include full support for browser monitors.
• 😀 Synthetic monitors' data can now be integrated into Dynatrace dashboards and queried in notebooks for root cause analysis, offering deeper insights into system health.
• 😀 Users with a Dynatrace Platform Services (DPS) license can access historical execution data and scatter plots showing detailed performance metrics for HTTP monitors.
• 😀 For users on classic licenses, only the most recent successful or failed executions are visible, with limited retention for on-demand results.
• 😀 The Synthetic app features new filtering options, such as saving and applying filters to monitor lists, improving workflow efficiency.
• 😀 A preview panel in the new Synthetic app allows users to check monitor statuses and configurations without immediately navigating to the full report.
• 😀 Network availability monitors (ping, TCP, and DNS checks) are now supported, with private locations required for execution and detailed configuration options for packet settings.
• 😀 The app supports automated synthetic tests as part of deployment workflows, helping to validate the success of a release by running tests after a deployment.
• 😀 Advanced features like JavaScript execution allow users to extract and reuse response data within synthetic tests, adding flexibility for more complex use cases.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Dinat Trace synthetics in the context of observability?

Dinat Trace synthetics helps engineers, developers, and site reliability teams monitor the health, availability, and functionality of critical systems and APIs. It ensures that these components are running as expected and are accessible to users.

How does the new synthetic app in the Din platform improve the user experience compared to the previous version?

The new synthetic app offers a more streamlined user interface with additional capabilities, such as support for network availability monitors, better data visualization, and integration with DQL queries for deeper root cause analysis. It also eliminates the need for migrating or reconfiguring existing monitors.

What is the key difference between the classic license and the DPS license for Dinat Trace synthetics?

The classic license offers only the most recent successful and failed executions of monitors, while the DPS license includes full retention of historical data for HTTP monitors, along with advanced features such as scatter plot charts and access to full execution details.

What are the main types of synthetic tests offered in the new platform?

The new platform supports various synthetic tests, including HTTP-based tests, browser-based monitors, and network availability monitors (such as ping and DNS checks).

What role do private locations play in the configuration of network availability monitors?

Private locations are crucial for network availability monitors because these types of monitors (e.g., ping or TCP port checks) can only be configured and executed from private locations, ensuring more accurate and secure monitoring.

How does the filtering and customization feature in the synthetic app enhance productivity?

The filtering and customization feature allows users to save filter expressions for easy access, apply default filters automatically for future sessions, and organize synthetic monitors based on various attributes like creator or monitor type, enhancing workflow efficiency.

What is the benefit of the new preview panel in the synthetic app?

The preview panel provides quick insights into the results and configurations of synthetic monitors without leaving the main list. It allows users to view basic information such as monitor health and configuration history, making it easier to assess monitor status and troubleshoot issues.

How can synthetic tests be integrated into automated workflows, especially for deployment validations?

Synthetic tests can be triggered on-demand as part of an automated deployment pipeline, allowing users to validate whether a deployment has caused any issues in real-time. This integration ensures that the application is still functioning correctly after updates or changes.

What advanced features are available for HTTP monitors in the new platform?

The new platform allows users to create highly customized HTTP monitors, including setting conditions to analyze response content, adding advanced configuration options like authentication and headers, and utilizing on-demand testing from multiple locations.

How does the integration of DQL queries with synthetic data improve monitoring and analysis?

Integrating DQL queries with synthetic data allows users to perform in-depth root cause analysis, create custom dashboards, and visualize test execution details. This feature enhances the ability to monitor system health and troubleshoot issues using flexible data analysis tools.