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
Bandwidth manager with PRTG
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.
This is a short video about bandwidth monitoring
Bandwidth monitoring: The basis for bandwidth management
Bandwidth 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 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.
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.
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„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
Sensors for getting a better idea of how to manage bandwidth
How PRTG defines sensors
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 Sniffer Sensor: 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 250 sensors: PRTG comes with over 250 preconfigured sensors which you can use to monitor your entire network. Have a look at our sensor list!
Everything at a glance: A sneak peek at your PRTG dashboard
Live traffic sensor
Packet sniffing sensor
PRTG sunburst view
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.
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
Immediately see if your containers are available – even while on the go
PRTG is set up in a matter of minutes and can be used on a wide variety of mobile devices.
Trusted by 500,000 users and recognized
by industry analysts as a leader
“Fantastic network and infrastructure monitoring solution that is easy to deploy and easier still to use. Simply the best available.”
“Software is absolutely perfect, Support is superior. Meets all needs and requirements, this is a must have solution if you are needing any form of monitoring.”
“The tool excels at its primary focus of being a unified infrastructure management and network monitoring service.”
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.
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.
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.
We asked: would you recommend PRTG?
Over 95% of our customers say yes!
Paessler AG conducted trials in over 600 IT departments worldwide to tune its network monitoring software closer to the needs of sysadmins.
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG – or already have.
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.
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.
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s IT partners
Partnering with innovative IT vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.
UVnetworks
UVexplorer integrates tightly with PRTG to bring fast and accurate network discovery, detailed device inventory, and automatic network mapping to the PRTG platform.
PRTG makes your job easier
Our monitoring software frees you to focus on other tasks by promptly notifying you of potential issues.
Save effort
PRTG gives you one central monitoring tool for your servers and entire network. Enjoy a quick overview of your whole infrastructure via our dashboard and app.
Save time
Getting started with PRTG is a breeze. Setting up or switching from another network monitoring tool is easy thanks to the auto-discovery and pre-configured device templates.
Save money
80% of our customers report substantial cost savings with network monitoring. Your costs of licenses will likely pay for themselves within weeks.
PRTG: The Swiss Army knife for sysadmins
Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
- Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
- REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format
Still not convinced?
More than 500,000 sysadmins love PRTG
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier.
Still not convinced?
Monitor your entire IT infrastructure
Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network.
Try Paessler PRTG for free
Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free. Start now with your trial.
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PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 22.4.81.1532 (November 29th, 2022) |
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Hosting |
Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor 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 |
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Combining the broad monitoring feature set of PRTG with IP Fabric’s automated network assurance creates a new level of network visibility and reliability.