How to manage bandwidth between computers?

[xChase]

Something seems to be slowing my network down, and I'm wondering if there are any tools or if there is anything that I can do, to identify the problem from the host machine? Router is a 2wire 2701hg-b.

 

[Ekkoria]

To monitor network usage, open Resource Monitor (open Task Manager and go to the performance tab, hit open resource monitor). Go to the network tab and see which (if any) process seems to be hogging your network usage. Keep in mind there will almost definitely be something there, it just may not be taking a lot of usage. Anything below a thousand b/s you shouldn't have to worry about, but anything consistently above 1,000 b/s or so you should probably look further into if only for why it's using network resources because 1,000 b/s isn't all that much bandwidth at all.

 

[xChase]

I use that on my own computer that's connected wirelessly, but I'm wondering if there's a way to monitor the 4 other users of my network?

 

[Ekkoria]

Oh, you mean you want to do it remotely. A quick google search turned this up: Monitor Network Traffic | Remote Administration For Windows
But honestly, I don't have any real experience with what you're trying to do.. Sorry.

 

[xChase]

Hmm, that doesn't work on my machine, I think it may be too old or something.

I have 4 other roommates using the internet, and one of them is downloading/uploading a lot. I'm trying to figure out who it is through software, because my router doesn't have the function AFAIK.

 

[Ekkoria]

The best course of action may be to just ask them; I can't really think of a way to measure their bandwidth usage without access to their computers. Theoretically, you'd think it would be possible, but I'm sorry, I can't think of a way to do it. Sorry I can't be much help.

 

[Parman]

I use a firwall and a transparent proxy on it. I don't actully limit the bandwidth but I could if I wanted.

 

[xChase]

I'm not looking to limit the bandwidth, because everyone has told me what they're doing. I'm just trying to identify if there's a hiccup somewhere etc.

 

[Parman]

The only way this can be done is if....

1) You are sitting between the computer and the internet (not physically sitting but network connection wise.) Like your router would be able to see all that traffic it just doesn't have the capabilities to show you that data.

2) Use a hub on the network. A hub unlike a switch will send all traffic to all work stations (this is not a good idea for everyday use). Also there could be privacy laws about doing this.

3) A device called a Throwing Star LAN Tap that will send you all the traffic.

and then there is the best yet. Just ask them. If they are explain to them they're killing the network and ask them if they can do it when no one is accessing it (like when everyone is sleeping).