Network Traffic Bandwidth Monitoring [Archive]

Ugly n Grey

09-05-2005, 04:55 PM

I was looking for a cool little toolbar like product to tell me what total traffic was going out and what was coming in and I found this...

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/nsl.htm

I tried, it seems cool and fairly accurate... any other suggestions?

dnottis

09-05-2005, 09:56 PM

geoff2k

09-06-2005, 12:41 AM

I've been using netlimiter (http://www.netlimiter.com/) for awhile and it provides similar functionality and also allows bandwidth shaping/tracking on a per-application basis (sample screenshot (http://www.netlimiter.com/tikiwiki/netlimiter/screenshots/125/scrshot002.png)). Very handy for keeping things like DC++ or bitorrent in check.

Disposibleteen

09-06-2005, 01:47 PM

In bittorrent apps you can limit the amoutn of upload/download bandwidth that the app is allowed. I like netlimiter myself though, nice intuitive interface and ease of use.

Anarki

09-06-2005, 01:59 PM

I have been using net limiter for approx 2 years now, very good app.

The main reason I would suggest using it is because it shows exactly what progs are using the net, and the IP address; as shown in geoff2k's screenie.

Ugly n Grey

09-06-2005, 02:20 PM

OK I tried netlimiter and it's great if that's what you need, but I have no need and it's payware...I've gone back to the little monitor which is all I needed...Thanks for the advice..

Disposibleteen

09-06-2005, 06:20 PM

Yea i wish you didnt have to pay for Netlimiter, looks like after 30 days my fun will be up.

Rukee

09-21-2005, 05:25 AM

Is there a router that will limit bandwidth for each machine rather then a software program??

Ugly n Grey

09-21-2005, 08:23 AM

Some layer three and higher switches can do that.....

Rukee

09-21-2005, 08:48 AM

I just found a router that will do it, but, wholey crap the price!!
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=327

Ugly n Grey

09-21-2005, 08:54 AM

That's a router/layer three switch hybrid solution. Not a bad price for what it can do... the question is , can you trust it? :)

Rukee

09-21-2005, 09:16 AM

trust it? Could you give me some security risks I might encounter running one?

Ugly n Grey

09-21-2005, 09:54 AM

lol
that isn't what I meant, I meant will it last longer than 30 days and is the software stable that runs on it (no lockups)?

Rukee

09-22-2005, 10:55 AM

It`s been suggested to me that a 'NAT switch' will limit bandwidth between machines, is this true?? and what are the benifits and risks??

Ugly n Grey

09-22-2005, 10:58 AM

what are you translating to/from? Internet to internal? how many addy's to you have? NAT may add a littel overhead, but I don't know any other way for the average consumer to easily and safely connect multiple machines to the internet... NAT is mandatory for most people

Rukee

09-22-2005, 11:02 AM

Using DSL on a reg router and 2 machines, one is dnlding constantly, so much so that the second machine has little bandwidth left to even surf the net with. I want to either limit the one machines bandwidth freeing up some for the second, or balance the bandwidth between the two.

Ugly n Grey

09-22-2005, 11:07 AM

do you have two IP's (one for each machine?) if you don't then how are you sharing? you must be using NAT of some kind

Rukee

09-22-2005, 12:24 PM

Just 1 IP addy.
modem>router>LAN ports on back of router> to both computers

Ugly n Grey

09-22-2005, 12:34 PM

well the cheapest way is to use netlimiter as mentioned above.

You are already using NAT through the router, replacing the router doing NAT with another doing NAT and traffic shaping just adds traffic shaping/limitig, not more overhead, I'd say that product will do it for you. Read the reviews for reliability before you buy though is my advice.

Paladin

09-22-2005, 05:03 PM

Some routers with QoS have config pages that let you limit bandwidth based on the MAC address. Offhand I think the WRT54G/GS/GXv2 have the ability as long as you are running a recent firmware version. Unfortunately I have the GXv1, which has QoS but no manual settings for it other than On/Off. =P

Ugly n Grey

09-22-2005, 07:53 PM

like in post 10?

Paladin

09-24-2005, 12:17 AM

Nothing so fancy. Common routers are starting to have firmware updates with QoS (Quality of Service) features. Even the WRT54G which is about $50.
(Sorry for always mentioning Linksys, it's what I know and use, I'm sure Belkin and D-Link have similar offerings.)

Ugly n Grey

09-24-2005, 05:23 AM

I hear ya, that's why I use Cisco...it's what I know... what's a little IOS between friends?

TheMeatFrog

09-24-2005, 08:41 AM

I've been using netstat for years, great little program! ;)

Martijn

10-01-2005, 01:45 PM

I use this (http://www.bandwidthmonitorpro.com/)

Very useful, I can now see I consume around 200Megs of Internet BW a day :D

kiwi

10-02-2005, 03:03 PM

Any old brand PC (P166/P2 266 or similar under $40) with 2 NICs as router + linux firewall or ready firewall solution like Monowall (http://www.m0n0.ch/wall/) will be much better, more flexible and cheaper. I have tried that and found it the best way to go. The only disadvantage is that it takes more physical space in the room.

Cisco is great ofcourse but it costs way too much and I don't see a reason using it unless you have serious business running there

:toast: