Bandwidth manager
Manage your network bandwidth
- PRTG provides the basis for bandwidth management
- PRTG monitors bandwidth consumption
- PRTG uses SNMP/WMI, packet sniffing, and xFlow
PRTG is your All-in-One Bandwidth Management Software
PRTG is a powerful tool that measures how much bandwidth is used in a network. This bandwidth manager for Windows can be set up quickly and easily so as to read traffic data from your router, which will then be displayed in clear, comprehensive graphs. With this bandwidth manager you can assess current bandwidth activity, as well as historically transferred data counts over the last 14 days or 12 months.
Bandwidth monitoring:
the basis for bandwidth management
Step 1: Bandwidth monitoring
With bandwidth monitoring, you won’t yet be actively managing your bandwidth. Instead, you'll simply observe the amount of bandwidth that is consumed by your network’s devices and applications. The PRTG bandwidth monitoring tool is perfect for getting started. You can use it to monitor your IT infrastructure and analyze your bandwidth consumption, and then make a decision on how best to manage your bandwidth.
iBandwidth is measured as the amount of data that can be transferred from one point to another within a network in a specific amount of time. Typically, bandwidth is expressed as a bitrate and measured in bits per second (bps). It refers to the transmission capacity of a connection and is an important factor when determining the quality and speed of a network.
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Step 2: Bandwidth management
The next step involves active bandwidth management, which includes the distribution of bandwidth to the devices in your network. A variety of bandwidth management software is available to help you manage bandwidth. You can also adjust the individual bandwidth consumption of devices (routers, switches) in the respective device’s settings. These settings may vary depending on the manufacturer (Cisco, Jupiter, etc.).
Step 3: Bandwidth controlling
You can measure, check, limit, and customize the distribution of your bandwidth and data rates at any time. You’re also free to control and actively manage your bandwidth whenever you like.
Sensors for getting a better idea of how to manage bandwidth
iWhat is a sensor?
In PRTG, “Sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, e.g. the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, the free space of a disk drive. On average you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
SNMP Traffic Sensor: The SNMP Traffic Sensor measures bandwidth consumption. You can use it to determine the rate at which data flows through your network. With this sensor, you’ll immediately get an overview.
Packet Sniffing: The PRTG Packet Sniffer Sensor filters data traffic according to IP addresses, protocols, data types, programs, and more. You can use the data collected by this sensor to perform a detailed analysis of your traffic.
NetFlow sensors: Cisco and Juniper devices use Flow technologies. PRTG comes with a number of preconfigured Flow sensors for such manufacturers. These sensors also allow you to filter according to IP addresses, protocols, data types, and programs.
IP SLA and CBQoS sensors: PRTG uses special sensors to collect the data of Cisco devices which use IP SLA or CBQoS. This data is not only good for troubleshooting, but it also enables you to be sure that each of your configurations is working properly. Export the collected data as a CSV or XML file, or create a report directly via PRTG.
More than 200 sensors: PRTG comes with over 200 preconfigured sensors which you can use to monitor your entire network. Have a look at our sensor list!
„3 times this week PRTG alerted us to issues before they became an issue to users. Worth it's weight in Gold."
Jared Lancaster, CTO. To the Case Study
Everything at a glance:
A sneak peek at your PRTG dashboard
PRTG is much more than just a bandwidth management tool
Identify bandwidth hogs
PRTG identifies the devices and apps which use the most bandwidth. You can therefore play an active part in the management of your bandwidth.
Monitor bandwidth over the long run
Long-term monitoring often provides for new and interesting findings. You can see, for example, if the network load is higher at certain times of the day, week, or month.
Everything at a glance – not just bandwidth
Outdated equipment or faulty configurations can also lead to malfunctions. PRTG lets you keep a constant eye on your entire IT environment.
Discreet alarm feature
PRTG will only sound the alarm if it is absolutely necessary. The alarm system can be customized to meet your own particular needs.
All-inclusive
PRTG comes with sensors, an alarm system, and technical support. If you opt for a license, you’ll get access to its full range of features. Only the number of sensors is limited.
Your bandwidth monitoring at a glance
– even while on the go
PRTG can be started within minutes and it's compatible with many mobile devices.
PRTG put to the test: “fast, easy, intuitive”
Our network monitoring software is often tested by trade magazines.
Click here for a summary of how PRTG has fared.
Possibilities for limiting bandwidth
Limit bandwidth for backups
Backups often consume a great deal of bandwidth. While managing your bandwidth, it may make sense to only grant backups a certain amount of bandwidth. By doing so, however, your backups will take longer to complete.
Restrict LAN bandwidth
You can also limit bandwidth in a LAN. Specify which traffic has priority in the devices that are connected to your LAN.
Allocate bandwidth on a router-to-router basis
Another option is controlling the amount of bandwidth in routers. To do so, you’ll need to check the configurations for each of your various routers.
Curb bandwidth in switches
As with routers, the configurations for switches may also vary depending on the manufacturer. But here, too, you can limit the amount of bandwidth.
200,000 system administrators worldwide
trust our software. Every day.
We have compiled some reviews for you.
- Unlimited version of PRTG for 30 days
- After 30 days, PRTG reverts to a free version
- Or, you can upgrade to a paid license anytime
Practical tip: “Hey Mathias, what would you tell administrators who wish to monitor their bandwidth?”
“Instead of trying to measure bandwidth by way of an extra, simulated load, you should have a look around for actions which do that anyway – and then monitor them. For example, when you perform backups, you often put great strain on the bandwidth and can thus easily recognize shortages or bottlenecks.”
Mathias Hengl, PRTG developer at Paessler AG
Bandwidth controlling
It’s good to trust, it’s better to be sure
“Bandwidth controlling” is synonymous with “bandwidth management.” With PRTG, you can control your data rate and test bandwidth. You cannot, however, prioritize traffic. If you wish to prioritize traffic, think about picking up a separate bandwidth controller tool or some custom bandwidth management software.
PRTG simplifies your day
Our monitoring software works for you and promptly notifies you of potential issues.
It frees you to concentrate on your day-to-day tasks with peace of mind.
PRTG saves time
With PRTG, you get one central monitoring tool for your servers and entire network. Enjoy a quick overview of your whole infrastructure via our dashboard and app.
PRTG saves worry
Customizing PRTG is a breeze. Getting started or switching from another network monitoring tool is easy thanks to the PRTG auto-discovery and pre-configured device templates.
PRTG saves money
80% of our customers report substantial or even exceptional cost savings in the area of network monitoring. The experience shows that the costs for licenses have paid for themselves within a matter of weeks.
Over 95% of our customers recommend PRTG
Paessler AG worldwide trialled PRTG in over 600 IT departments.
The aim was to tune the network monitoring software closer to the needs of the administrators.
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG - or already had.
Network monitoring – other topics of interest
Bandwidth monitoring
Take a closer look at bandwidth monitoring. Discover who or what is hogging your bandwidth, and which sensors can help you get to the root of the problem. On this page, we'll also explore bandwidth tests in greater detail.
Packet sniffing
The PRTG Packet Sniffer Sensor is used in a number of different situations. But how, exactly, do packet sniffing and packet capture work? And how does it help you to monitor your network and identify packet loss? Find out on our packet sniffing page.
WMI Monitoring
PRTG uses WMI to monitor Windows servers and workstations. Additional hybrid Windows sensors with performance counters and WMI can be used as a fallback. Learn more about WMI monitoring with PRTG here.
iWMI stands for Windows Management Instrumentation. Designed by Microsoft, it is an infrastructure for the standardized management of data and information that is device independent. Since Windows 2000, WMI comes preinstalled with Windows operating systems.
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Windows monitoring
PRTG monitors Windows servers. Whether hardware (CPU, memory, network cards, etc.) or software: PRTG lets you keep an eye on everything. PRTG even comes with sensors for Windows Event Log and Windows Security monitoring. More on Windows monitoring
NetFlow monitoring
The PRTG NetFlow Analyzer works with all the main Flow protocols. You can therefore use NetFlow and IPFIX sensors for your Cisco devices. Learn more about NetFlow monitoring here.
Award winning solution
We work hard on making our software as powerful and easy-to-use
as possible for our customers each and every day.
Of course it makes us proud when we get awards for that.
PAESSLER AG –
German quality engineering
Free Download
- Unlimited version of PRTG for 30 days
- After 30 days, PRTG reverts to a free version
- Or, you can upgrade to a paid license anytime
Most administrators want to test a tool for free before deciding to make an investment.
The many advantages of PRTG:
1. Free trial version: Take the time to explore PRTG so you can determine if it satisfies your needs and meets your expectations. Once the trial is over, it’s easy to upgrade your already configured version of PRTG, which means you’re much less likely to make an incorrect purchase.
2. One tool, one overview: Administrators often use a variety of monitoring solutions for their network or for the individual components of their infrastructure. But using several different tools every time you want to create an overview costs time and energy. PRTG is an “all-in-one” solution. Our dashboard and app provide a comprehensive overview, whenever you want it.
3. Quick customer support: Got a question? Stuck on a problem and need a hand? PRTG is backed by a dedicated development and support team. We do our utmost to answer every customer inquiry within 24 hours (on business days). Browse all our support topics here.
Configure your PRTG today. The trial version is free of charge. Save time, worry, and money with our monitoring tool designed for your network and entire infrastructure.
PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 19.4.54.1506 (November 25th, 2019) |
Hosting |
Download for Windows and hosted version available |
Languages |
English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese |
Pricing |
Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more |
Supported Vendors & Applications |