How To Exceed Collection Run Limits in Postman: A Step-By-Step Guide

In the world of API development and testing, Postman stands out as a robust tool that simplifies the process of interacting with APIs. However, one common challenge users face is the collection run limits. These limits can restrict the number of requests you can make in a single collection run, which can be limiting for extensive testing or when working with complex API scenarios. In this guide, we will explore how to exceed these collection run limits in Postman, and where appropriate, we will introduce the capabilities of APIPark, an open-source AI gateway and API management platform that can enhance your API development experience.

Introduction to Postman Collection Run Limits

Postman, by default, sets a limit on the number of requests that can be made in a single collection run. This limit is set to ensure the server is not overwhelmed with too many requests simultaneously. While this is beneficial for maintaining server health, it can be a bottleneck for users who need to perform extensive testing.

Understanding the Default Limits

The default limit for a collection run in Postman is 100 requests. This means that if your collection contains more than 100 requests, only the first 100 will be executed. To exceed this limit, we need to look at alternative approaches.

Step-by-Step Guide to Exceed Collection Run Limits

Step 1: Splitting Collections into Sub-Collections

One effective way to exceed the collection run limits is to split your large collection into multiple sub-collections. Each sub-collection can be run independently, thus allowing you to execute more than 100 requests.

How to Split Collections:

1. Open your collection in Postman.
2. Identify logical groups within your collection that can be separated.
3. Right-click on your collection and select "New" > "Collection."
4. Name your new sub-collection and drag the relevant requests from the original collection into the new sub-collection.
5. Repeat this process for each logical group you have identified.

By splitting your collection into smaller, manageable sub-collections, you can run each sub-collection separately, effectively bypassing the default request limit.

Step 2: Using Postman's Newman Command Line Tool

Newman is a command-line companion to Postman that allows you to run and test your Postman collections directly from the command line. It offers more flexibility and can be used to run large collections without the constraints of the Postman app's UI.

How to Use Newman:

1. Install Newman by running the command npm install -g newman in your terminal.
2. Navigate to the directory containing your Postman collection file.
3. Run the command newman run <collection-file>.json to execute your collection.

Newman does not have the same request limits as the Postman app, making it an excellent tool for running extensive tests.

Step 3: Leveraging APIPark for Enhanced API Management

While the above methods help you bypass the collection run limits, APIPark offers a more comprehensive solution for managing and testing APIs. By using APIPark, you can not only exceed the collection run limits but also benefit from advanced features like API versioning, traffic management, and security.

How APIPark Helps:

• API Versioning: APIPark allows you to manage multiple versions of the same API, ensuring that your tests are always up-to-date with the latest API changes.
• Traffic Management: You can control the traffic to your APIs, ensuring that you do not overwhelm your server with too many requests.
• Security: APIPark provides robust security features, including authentication and authorization, to protect your APIs from unauthorized access.

To get started with APIPark, visit their official website and explore the various features it offers.

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Advanced Techniques for Running Large Collections

Running Collections in Parallel

Another technique to consider is running your collections in parallel. This method involves executing multiple sub-collections simultaneously, which can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete your tests.

How to Run Collections in Parallel:

1. Split your collection into multiple sub-collections, as described in Step 1.
2. Use a script or a task runner to execute multiple instances of Newman simultaneously.

Here is an example of how you can run multiple collections in parallel using Node.js:

const { exec } = require('child_process');

const collections = ['collection1.json', 'collection2.json', 'collection3.json'];

collections.forEach(collection => {
  exec(`newman run ${collection}`, (error, stdout, stderr) => {
    if (error) {
      console.error(`Error: ${error}`);
      return;
    }
    console.log(`Output: ${stdout}`);
  });
});

Implementing Continuous Integration

Continuous Integration (CI) is a practice where developers integrate code into a shared repository frequently, preferably several times a day. Each integration can then be verified by an automated build and automated tests.

How to Implement CI with Postman:

1. Set up a CI/CD pipeline using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or GitHub Actions.
2. Add a step in your pipeline to run your Postman collections using Newman.
3. Configure the pipeline to trigger tests on every commit or on a schedule.

By integrating your API tests into your CI/CD pipeline, you can ensure that your APIs are always tested and working as expected.

Table: Comparison of Postman Collection Run Limits vs. APIPark

Here is a comparison table that outlines the differences between running collections in Postman and using APIPark:

Feature	Postman Collection Run Limits	APIPark
Default Request Limit	100 requests	No limit (handled by APIPark)
Parallel Execution	Limited (manually in Postman)	Supported (via APIPark)
Traffic Management	Limited (basic in Postman)	Advanced (via APIPark)
Security	Basic (in Postman)	Robust (via APIPark)
API Versioning	Limited (in Postman)	Advanced (via APIPark)
Integration with CI/CD	Possible (via Newman)	Streamlined (via APIPark)

Conclusion

Exceeding collection run limits in Postman is not just about bypassing the default request limits. It's about finding efficient ways to manage and test your APIs. By splitting collections, using Newman, and leveraging advanced API management platforms like APIPark, you can ensure that your API development and testing processes are as efficient and comprehensive as possible.

FAQs

1. Q: Can I run more than 100 requests in a single Postman collection run? A: No, Postman sets a default limit of 100 requests per collection run. However, you can use alternative methods like splitting collections or using Newman to exceed this limit.
2. Q: What is APIPark, and how can it help with my API testing? A: APIPark is an open-source AI gateway and API management platform that offers advanced features like API versioning, traffic management, and security. It can help streamline your API testing by providing a more flexible and powerful environment.
3. Q: How do I use Newman to run Postman collections in parallel? A: You can use Node.js scripts or task runners to execute multiple instances of Newman simultaneously, allowing you to run your collections in parallel.
4. Q: Is APIPark suitable for large-scale API development and testing? A: Yes, APIPark is designed to handle large-scale API development and testing. It offers features like traffic management and security that are essential for large-scale operations.
5. Q: Can I integrate API testing with my CI/CD pipeline using APIPark? A: Absolutely! APIPark can be integrated with CI/CD pipelines to ensure that your APIs are tested automatically as part of your development process.

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Step 1: Deploy the APIPark AI gateway in 5 minutes.

APIPark is developed based on Golang, offering strong product performance and low development and maintenance costs. You can deploy APIPark with a single command line.

curl -sSO https://download.apipark.com/install/quick-start.sh; bash quick-start.sh

In my experience, you can see the successful deployment interface within 5 to 10 minutes. Then, you can log in to APIPark using your account.

Step 2: Call the OpenAI API.

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