What is the purpose of a beacon forwarder?

A beacon forwarder plays a crucial role in the Real User Monitoring (RUM) ecosystem. Its main purpose is to collect and transmit performance data generated by user interactions in web applications. By forwarding this data from the user's browser to a Dynatrace cluster, the beacon forwarder enables the monitoring solution to analyze the performance and behavior of applications in real time. This functionality is essential for understanding how users interact with an application and for diagnosing any issues related to performance or user experience.

The ability to forward RUM data is particularly important because it helps organizations identify trends, detect anomalies, and gain insights into user behavior. This data is used to improve application performance and enhance the overall user experience. Overall, the forwarding capacity of the beacon forwarder is foundational for effectively utilizing Dynatrace's monitoring capabilities.