PRTG offers free bandwidth monitoring
The first 100 sensors are free
and never expire
Free bandwidth
monitoring
Reliable network
monitoring
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- Measuring bandwidth
- Ready to start searching for free bandwidth monitoring?
- PRTG: what you get for free – and what costs money
- How to set up free bandwidth monitoring with 100 sensors
- Got a few sensors left to spare? Use them to monitor additional components in your network
- Thinking of going with PRTG? Here are 3 good reasons to do so
- Installation tips: How to set up monitoring with 100 sensors
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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Measuring bandwidth
Many private users want to know if the speed promised by their service providers has actually been delivered. PRTG is a professional monitoring software used mainly by companies. These companies rely on PRTG to test their bandwidth. Found out how to test your company’s bandwidth with PRTG. If you’re a private user, this test may be difficult to complete.
Ready to start searching for free bandwidth monitoring?
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.
If so, then you’re probably faced with one of the following issues...
Resistance from higher-ups
As a sysadmin, you’re well aware that the company needs a professional network monitoring solution. But when it comes to the budget, your higher-ups may have other ideas. Or else there’s plenty of money, but getting access to it is too much of a hassle. A hard pill to swallow, yes, but there might just be a way around it. On this page, we'll show you how to make the most of 100 free PRTG sensors. Without risk – or hassle.
Small networks
PRTG is used by the IT managers of medium-sized companies. These companies often have extremely complex IT infrastructures. However, even relatively small networks can have their own routers, switches, and workstations. If you have a small network, PRTG can serve as a free bandwidth monitoring tool. With PRTG, the first 100 sensors are free and never expire. And that may be all you need to set up some reliable network monitoring.
Home networks
Many sysadmins also have small home networks that they like to outfit with good, professional hardware. At the same time, they usually want to spend as little money as possible on their bandwidth or network monitoring. Some sysadmins test PRTG at home to get a feel for the software. The free 100-sensor version suffices for most small private networks, provided the user possesses the necessary know-how.
A sneak peek at bandwidth monitoring with PRTG
Total traffic overview
Packet Sniffer Sensor
PRTG Sunburst view
PRTG: what you get for free – and what costs money
Our licenses
PRTG comes in a variety of sizes. Depending on the license, you’ll get a certain number of sensors – from 100 in the free version to several thousand or even unlimited. The first 100 sensors are free and never expire. The software’s alarm function, reports, and updates are included in all versions.
Your network
To set up professional network monitoring, you’ll need around 10 sensors for each of the devices in your network. This should provide you with a ballpark figure of the total number of sensors you'll need for your entire network. When purchasing any license, be sure to add PRTG technical support to your order.
Your needs
In search of basic bandwidth monitoring or comprehensive network monitoring? Looking to monitor your hardware only, or also your applications, cloud services, and website? The more in-depth your monitoring, the faster you’ll get to the root of eventual problems.
How to set up free bandwidth monitoring with 100 sensors
Tip
If you plan on setting up basic monitoring, you’ll want to use the majority of your sensors for those servers, routers, and switches which are most important for the smooth running of your IT infrastructure. Forget about employee workstations for the moment – these components will quickly exhaust your 100 free sensors.
3 sensors for getting started
Ping Sensor
The PRTG Ping Sensor monitors the overall availability of your network devices. It promptly notifies you in the event of malfunctions. Ping monitoring is a fundamental part of bandwidth monitoring, for if a device is unavailable, then traffic cannot pass through it. More on ping monitoring
SNMP Sensor
Create an SNMP Traffic Sensor for all your most important devices (e.g. servers, routers, and switches). With this sensor, you'll immediately see how much traffic is flowing through your network. It also shows you which applications and servers are putting the greatest strain on your bandwidth. For this sensor to work, the monitored device must support SNMP. PRTG comes with separate SNMP sensors for manufacturers such as Cisco, Dell, and HP. More on SNMP monitoring
Packet Sniffer Sensor
The Packet Sniffer Sensor is ideal for in-depth bandwidth monitoring. It lets you monitor data packets and filter by IP address, protocol, data type, and more. The Packet Sniffer Sensor provides for a precise look at which devices and data are using the most bandwidth. More on packet sniffing
“Hey Gerald, I’d like to try the free 100-sensor version of PRTG. Any tips?”
“The PRTG multi-edit function is useful for deleting several sensors at the same time. First of all, filter your sensors by sensor type. Then select all the sensors you don’t want and delete them in one fell swoop. The multi-edit function helps you save time whenever you wish to lighten up your monitoring.”
Gerald Schoch, Release Manager at Paessler AG
Got a few sensors left to spare? Use them to monitor additional components in your network
CPU, RAM, MEMORY
It’s always a good idea to monitor your hardware. CPU, RAM, storage – bottlenecks can creep up in all three, causing devices to overload. With PRTG, you’ll be alerted before your devices crash, and can quickly see if their capacity limits have been exceeded. More on memory monitoring and CPU monitoring
Website monitoring
How stable is your website? Does it load quickly? Is it accessible by users all over the world? Do errors occur during the order process? PRTG comes with sensors that will answer these questions and more. If your website has a high volume of customer traffic, this monitoring is a must. More on website monitoring and performance monitoring
Cloud applications
Many companies make use of a variety of worldwide cloud services, including email, virtual machines, and SaaS solutions. PRTG monitors the availability of each of these services. Found out more about cloud monitoring with PRTG and how you can monitor your virtual servers.
Thinking of going with PRTG? Here are 3 good reasons to do so
Excellent investment
There’s no doubt about it – PRTG costs money. But as demonstrated by our customer ROI survey, your investment usually pays for itself in no time at all. After all, the costs of crashes, support inquires, and ineffective network management cannot be underestimated. With PRTG, you’ll reduce these costs considerably – or even eliminate them entirely.
➔ To the ROI white paper on PRTG network monitoring software
Provide for wellbeing
When the IT infrastructure is down, the support hotline can quickly become overloaded. Your coworkers are annoyed because they are no longer able to work. Frustration reigns on both sides. PRTG contributes to a stress-free workplace by allowing you to get to the root of problems before crashes arise.
Think ahead
PRTG performs long-term network monitoring so you can plan for the future. This is not only helpful for bandwidth, but for your entire network infrastructure. Stop playing catch-up – and start planning your resources with intelligence and efficiency.
Keep a constant eye on your network – 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.
Installation tips: How to set up monitoring with 100 sensors
Start big
When you install PRTG, the Auto Discovery function is launched automatically. With Auto Discovery, PRTG searches for available devices within a certain range of IP addresses and sets up an initial monitoring environment. This feature is designed to facilitate the configuration and maintenance of your monitoring.
Weed out
If you plan on using the 100-sensor version of PRTG, this means you’ll have to delete most of the sensors created by the Auto Discover feature. See our tips above to find out which sensors are most important for bandwidth monitoring.
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.”
PRTG is a vital tool for getting your IT into tip-top shape!
The costs for a one-year PRTG license pay for themselves in an average of only a few weeks.
License costs vary according to the size of your network.
PRTG makes your network more reliable
PRTG saves network management costs
PRTG saves time spent on network management
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.
ScriptRunner
With ScriptRunner, Paessler integrates a powerful event automation platform into PRTG Network Monitor.
UVnetworks
UVexplorer integrates tightly with PRTG to bring fast and accurate network discovery, detailed device inventory, and automatic network mapping to the PRTG platform.
“Easy to implement and configure with good technical support.”
R. v. S., ICT Manager at Heinen & Hopman Eng BV
That’s it? Nope, we’re just getting started!
Monitor QoS
Lost video calls? VoIP down yet again? Monitor your quality of service with PRTG to quickly identify loopholes. Packet loss, jitter, latency, mean opinion score – PRTG keeps an eye on all your QoS parameters.
Monitor switches
The smallest network error can wreak havoc on your entire IT infrastructure. Sometimes getting to the root of the problem is like searching for a needle in a haystack – such as when one of your myriad switches goes down. PRTG monitors all the switches in your network.
Monitor files
Log files, event logs, file servers...PRTG monitors each and every file in your network. It lets you monitor individual files, as well as folders and file contents. More on file monitoring with PRTG
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.
PRTG: The multi-tool 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 23.2.84.1566 (May 24th, 2023) |
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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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