Easy way to monitor home network/internet bandwidth

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dalekphalm

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
195
Hey guys

I'm wondering if there is an easy way to monitor how much bandwidth is being consumed at any given moment for a home network.

Specifically, for the incoming/outgoing internet connection.

My network is as thus:

DSL Modem -> Wifi Router (Linksys E4200v1 - PPPoE enabled here) -> Gigabit switch -> 2nd Wifi router (D-Link DIR-815 - DHCP disabled, repeats same SSID and password)

Most devices are connected directly into the switch, with one computer hard-plugged into the DIR-815 (I will eventually change this, as the 815 only has 10/100 ports).

Basically, I want to easily be able to check how much up/down data is being sent for my internet connection. This means that I cannot use a program on a computer (I've used DL Meter before. Works great, but limited to a single computer).

The Linksys E4200v1 is using standard firmware, but I'm not opposed to loading DD-WRT onto it (was the original plan anyway, just never got around to it), if DD-WRT has this capability.

Nice to have feature: Ability to see which devices are consuming what part of the bandwidth. Not necessary, but would be a cool feature.

Alternatively, if there is a cheap (like $100 or less deal) box that can interface, say, between the E4200 and the switch, that can do this, that would work as well.


So, what do you guys think? What are my options?
 
sorry, the forum was acting oddly, I could post in the thread but your post was invisible, I have seen a solution go by on hackaday, I think they were running linux or ddwrt on the router and were able to bring it out to a big analog meter on the wall
 
Last edited:
jojo69 said:
I'm confused
Click to expand...

So... why did you reply? :rolleyes:

Or, what are you confused about? I have a 16Mbit up/1Mbit down connection. At times it feels like it's crawling, and I'd like to see why. Where is the bandwidth going? Or, is it the ISP's fault.
 
Do you run any 24/7 servers or VMWare boxes at home at all? If so install a Linux VM and Cacti

you can then graph it all out and generate a weathermap that auto updates with a visual representation.

WM.png
 
DD WRT does thst for you. I know its on my router but rarely look at excep the time i saw 2tb of downloads one month :)

I think you can manually or automatically reset it ever month. Also shows past usage for a year i think
 
Jay_oasis said:
Do you run any 24/7 servers or VMWare boxes at home at all? If so install a Linux VM and Cacti

you can then graph it all out and generate a weathermap that auto updates with a visual representation.
Click to expand...

Jay that looks fantastic.

I do run a 24/7 server as a Home Media/File/Backup server, (currently 2012 Essentials w/ storage spaces). Though I'll be migrating it back to WHS 2011 + Flexraid I think, because 2012 Essentials and Storage Spaces is just pissing me the F*** off.

I could do VMWare inside Windows, or setup a direct VM system (Like HyperX or ESXi or something?). My only experience with VM's are using VMWare Player (and similar solutions, like Parallels). The Server is running consumer parts (socket 775 E8600 and so on), so not sure how well it would handle VM-ing Windows Server + Linux.

I do have some parts lying around for some P4's that I could piece together into a single build. Could I run the Linux + Cacti software on that type of system? Though I'd rather not have another box running just for that.

DD-WRT does sound like a simpler solution, since no VM's required.

Diizzy:

I took a quick look at ntop. I'm guessing it works similarly to Cacti? It runs on Win32, so presumably I could just install it on my Windows based server?

Jay: I looked at the Cacti website, and it says it supports Windows. Is there a reason I'd rather install the Linux version via VMWare, rather than directly on my Windows server?
 
Here you go. Shows every day usage and is organized by month. very easy to setup. just flash your router

usage_zpsc22f0d3d.png
 
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