JMeter Backend Listeners

While Apache JMeter typically generates CSV results files and post-test HTML reports, backend listeners enable real-time data transmission to external repositories during test execution.

Default Backend Listeners

JMeter includes two pre-installed options:

Graphite

Requires host and port configuration, with customizable sampler lists and percentile settings.

graphite.host=localhost
graphite.port=2003
graphite.rootMetricsPrefix=jmeter

InfluxDB

Needs the InfluxDB URL, plus optional application name, test title, and tag configuration.

influxdbUrl=http://localhost:8086/write?db=jmeter
application=myapp
measurement=jmeter

Plugin Manager Listeners

Four additional backends are available through the JMeter Plugin Manager:

Azure

For the Azure backend you need to supply the test name, instrumentation key and live metrics configuration.

Elasticsearch

Requires es.host configuration with numerous configurable options for extended functionality.

es.host=localhost
es.port=9200
es.index=jmeter

Kafka

Needs kafka.bootstrap.servers configuration with additional parameter options.

kafka.bootstrap.servers=localhost:9092
kafka.topic=jmeter-results

JMeter Listener Pack

Installs additional capabilities including:

• ClickHouse support
• Extended Elasticsearch functionality
• Extended InfluxDB support
• InfluxDB data import capabilities

Key Takeaway

Backend listeners transform JMeter from post-execution reporting to real-time monitoring by directing metrics to external systems during active test runs. This enables:

• Live dashboards showing test progress
• Immediate alerting on performance degradation
• Historical trend analysis across test runs
• Integration with existing monitoring infrastructure

Setting Up Backend Listeners

1. Right-click on your Test Plan or Thread Group
2. Select Add > Listener > Backend Listener
3. Choose the appropriate backend listener implementation
4. Configure the connection parameters
5. Run your test and view real-time metrics in your monitoring tool

Further Reading

• JMeter Backend Listener Documentation
• InfluxDB JMeter Integration