What is Azure Internet Analyzer?
Azure Internet Analyzer is a client-side measurement platform that helps you understand how end users experience your application’s network performance. By embedding a small JavaScript client in your web pages, it measures latency from real user browsers to different endpoints, helping you make data-driven decisions about hosting locations and CDN providers.
The service runs A/B tests between configurations, showing which option delivers better performance for your specific user population and geographic distribution.
Core Features
- Real user measurements: Collect latency data from actual visitors
- A/B testing: Compare two configurations simultaneously
- Geographic insights: See performance by user location
- Endpoint flexibility: Test Azure regions, CDNs, or custom endpoints
- Dashboard reporting: Visualize results with percentile breakdowns
Typical Use Cases
Internet Analyzer is valuable when making infrastructure decisions that affect user experience. Common scenarios include evaluating which CDN provider is fastest for your users, deciding between Azure regions for a new deployment, and validating that configuration changes improve performance.
Benefits
- Real-world data from your actual user base
- No server-side instrumentation required
- Compare third-party providers against Azure services
- Free during preview period
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the JavaScript client impact page load?
The client is lightweight and loads asynchronously. Measurements run in the background after page load completes, minimizing impact on user experience.
What endpoints can I test?
You can test any publicly accessible HTTP/HTTPS endpoint. This includes Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, third-party CDNs, or your own servers in different locations.
How long should tests run?
Tests should run long enough to collect statistically significant data. For sites with moderate traffic, one to two weeks typically provides reliable results across different times and user locations.
Is Internet Analyzer still in preview?
Yes, Internet Analyzer remains in preview. Check Azure documentation for current status and any limitations that apply.
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory helps you use Azure Internet Analyzer: test design, result interpretation, and infrastructure optimization recommendations.
