internet traffic monitors

October 31, 2005 5:31 PM

Download limit question: If I can only download 20gb of data a month, whats the best (free) windows software for measuring and analysing all traffic coming in (and out) of my internet connection? Thanks...
posted by kev23f to Technology (6 answers total)

If your ISP sets bandwidth caps, they should also have a web-based way for you to track your useage (they track you, and makes those reports available to you).

My ISP usually under-reports how much I d/l, but as long as I'm under the /month cap according to them, I'm ok.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 5:36 PM on October 31, 2005

Best answer: As mentioned before in a similar thread, netmeter is good, lightweight, customizable and free. I use it, purely for interest's sake. There are a multitude of other similar tools, though.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:42 PM on October 31, 2005 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: well first of all, my isp is useless, but i'm stuck with them for the moment (its clearwire), and they dont provide a web app for tracking usage.

As for the multitude of other tools out there, that was pretty much why i was asking for a specific recommendation. I'll have a look at netmeter though, so thanks for that.
posted by kev23f at 5:51 PM on October 31, 2005

There are also some router based utilities for doing this. (ex: custom firmware that can be flashed onto Linksys routers)
posted by reverendX at 5:52 PM on October 31, 2005

I use netpersec for this. It's an old PC Magazine utility that is not crap — unlike most of the alternatives.

The only hitch is that it used to be free, but now they try to charge a pittance for it. If you search google for "netpersec.zip", you'll find quite a few people who didn't realize it changed.
posted by smackfu at 6:20 PM on October 31, 2005 [1 favorite]

DU Meter is a popular net traffic monitor that I have been happily using for years.
posted by Onanist at 3:59 AM on November 1, 2005