Possible to minitor bandwidth of different users on a network?

[Chilly Breeze]

Before I continue with this, Wolfeymole, if you read this, I have uninstalled utorrent, it's gone, I am not asking for any help with anything to do with any p2p software. Please can we start again?

 

Now, as I said I have uninstalled that (which I very rarely used anyway) but I am not the only user on my network. I can obviously control my own internet usage, but is there a way I can then monitor the actual bandwidth I am using by gaming and also the bandwidth being used by other people on my network so I can ask them to keep it down as well?

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

I dont know how it works in the UK but here i can go on my ISP's website and log into my account and see how much i've used in the month, so it would be best to check on your ISP website or maybe contact them personally, and i'm sure they will be able to tell you exactly how much you have used. :)

[Chilly Breeze]

Thanks for the response. I have been trying to view it on the website but it seems to be down or something as it won't give me the usage amounts, it just gives me a blank table as if I never typed in any from and to dates on the previous page. I'll have to try calling them I guess, which I was trying to avoid, as I hate call centres!

 

Is there no way I can see somewhere on my computer how much of the bandwidth is being used by my computer and how much is being used by the other one on the network?

[maynardvdm]

I don't think that information is stored on your computer. I'll have a look around and get back to you.

[Tootech]

Hi Chilly

 

You can install a small program on each computer that will keep track of usage.

 

Here's a few that were mentioned in Micromart last week. I can't vouch for them as I havn't had chance to test them.

 

Broadband Download monitor Broadband Download Monitor - track downloads to your PC using our free software

 

tbbMeter thinkbroadband :: Broadband Usage Meter

 

NetWorx Bandwidth monitor, bandwidth speed test, bandwidth and traffic monitoring tool for Windows

 

NetMeter ==- Readerror -==

 

Netstat Live Network Downloads : NetStat Live /// AnalogX

 

TrafficStatistic MZL & Novatech TrafficStatistic Website : IP traffic statistics freeware free for download for monitoring, accounting and billing of broadband bandwidth like DSL, cable or rootserver

 

Link Removed by RandyL

Edited June 10, 2009 by RandyL

[maynardvdm]

Thanks for the links

[Chilly Breeze]

Ah great, thanks a lot, I'll get checking those out.

[Chilly Breeze]

Would the data on those bandwidth monitors show only what's on my computer or the total bandwidth usage of the network?

[Tootech]

They normally keep track of the computer they are installed on, so you'd have to keep an eye on all computers.

[RandyL]

They normally keep track of the computer they are installed on, so you'd have to keep an eye on all computers.

And that is as it should be. Monitoring any activity on a different computer other then your own is considered spyware unless the owner consents to it. If the other owner consents to the installation then it should not be an issue for them to also consent to you viewing the usage while on their computer.

 

Obviously there are exceptions such as an employer monitoring users on a network but specialized software exists for that and in such a case the computers and the network belong to the employer and not the user. Employees agree to such a policy in advance when using a company network.

 

As stated you should check with the ISP to see what they can offer you but be aware they are not going to give out information unless the account is in your name.

 

I only bring this up because we wouldn't want it to appear that FPCH would aid or condone installing or using anything that might be considered or used as spyware.

[Chilly Breeze]

Thanks for the advice, but just to clarify, there is only two computers on my network, one is my own and one is the one the rest of my family uses (i.e. both computers in one household), but I kind of look after them both when it comes to any problems so it wouldn't be a spyware situation or anything. I was just wondering if there was any way to view total network usage from the router interface page or anything as I'm just learning as I go with this stuff.

 

I've installed the software on both computers now and have been checking both and it's just what I was looking for, cheers.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Here's why you might be having issues.

 

The Great Tiscali Swindle

[Chilly Breeze]

Wow, thanks for that. It sounds like I'm in the same situation as that. I took on board what was said on the forum yesterday and looked into my bandwidth usage along with the tiscali fair usage policy and I couldn't imagine using the "100gig" amount that they state as their capping point. Also when I got in from work today I checked the gaming forum, and a friend of mine who works at tiscali had posted that he'd checked my usage from the previous month and it was nowhere near what would be required for them to cap me.

 

Looks like I'll be looking for a new ISP then, let's just hope they let me go!

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Ok so that link dates back a bit and they may have altered but it sounds not.

 

Best of luck Breezy.