Is a flatline bandwidth, with QOS, OK?

October 5, 2007 1:23 AM

I'm a new server operator, and I've got QoS set up, but the flattened bandwidth graphs make me wonder, 'How much is too much?'.

Pictures of last 10 minutes and last 24 hours. Notice the flat lines instead of peaks? That's because the bandwidth of my server is exceeding the limit I set in the QOS setup. Is that OK? How much of that is too much? Isn't this what my traffic looks like after my ISP shapes it?

Those pictures are of my WAN interface, I can post the LAN side if that will help.

posted by philomathoholic to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Whenever you see a flat area, that means you didn't have enough bandwidth. With the graph that flat, that means your limit is inadequate much of the time.

If the server is maintaining reasonable responsiveness, then you have to decide whether the extra money is worth raising the cap; presumably, you have the cap where it is to save on the bandwidth bill.

That kind of a graph would personally make me nervous; I wouldn't mind seeing some flat peaks, but you're constantly against your limits, which gives you no room for growth at all.
posted by Malor at 2:19 AM on October 5, 2007

Seconding the nervous part. It also depends on what that server is handling as well. Also depends on the business as well (what type of business). I have had jobs as admin where I have constantly fought bandwidth problems. That can make for a rough life.
posted by jaythebull at 6:10 AM on October 5, 2007

What app made those pretty graphs?
posted by SirStan at 12:39 PM on October 5, 2007

What app made those pretty graphs?

SirStan: Check your email, I responded by email before I saw your response here. I agree that the graphs are pretty.

everyone else: Tomato firmware on a WRT54G.
posted by philomathoholic at 9:56 PM on October 5, 2007