A program for tracking Internet traffic. Traffic monitoring in the local network
The data counter is not only an interesting program that will be used by Internet users. It works great on a PC with a network cable installed. Thanks to this, we will be able to analyze all network traffic, even the one that is located. With the help of a program for monitoring Internet traffic on a computer, we can easily find out whether our computer is infected and whether it is sending unnecessary packets.
Choosing the best software for monitoring Internet traffic.
Network Meter is a handy desktop gadget and traffic tracking software that allows you to easily monitor your Internet connection and distribute it over your local network and Wi-Fi. Most users ignore the features offered by desktop gadgets, which were already introduced in Windows Vista and carried over to Windows 7. Some of these applications can be very useful.
Network Meter is an application that monitors your active Internet connection. It allows you to specify an IP address both on the local network and on the Internet. Shows the current speed of data transfer, download, upload and the amount of data that we downloaded and sent during the last session (since the restart of Windows). In addition, in the wireless network monitoring mode, the application shows the SSID of the Wi-Fi network, that is, its name and the percentage of signal quality (0 - 100%). An additional element of the gadget is an IP address locator (IP lookup) and an Internet tester (speed test).
Anyone can use the program:
- Unpack the gadget installer from the ZIP archive, choosing a location on your hard disk. Double click the unzipped file to install Network Meter.
- You will be prompted to check the manufacturer, click Install. The gadget should appear on our desktop (usually on the right), but you can place it anywhere by grabbing and dragging with the left mouse button.
- The app is already active, but to make sure it is tracking the connection you are interested in, go to the "Network Meter" option. To do this, right-click on the gadget and select "Options".
- On the main tab "Parameters" you can control the functions of the gadget. First of all, you need to choose which network to monitor (network type). You can choose to connect to your LAN via cable (wired) or Wi-Fi (wireless). In the latter case, the gadget will be equipped with additional functions - SSID and signal quality meter. The function marked with a marker shows the network card controlled by our local IP address (LAN) as well as the network controlled for data transmission. If used on a personal PC, there will be no problem, but on a laptop it is worth making sure that All Network Meter is currently monitoring the active card - usually you have to choose between Ethernet LAN and Wi-Fi card.
- The Screen tab defines how the gadget displays information. For example, it is recommended that you change the default units setting from bits per second to find the speed in kilobytes or megabits. The settings are saved by pressing the "OK" button.
- Changes in the "Network Meter" window appear immediately. It is worth noting that the meter represents the current data transfer - at the moment and thus monitors network activity. However, another metric counts how much data is downloaded and sent during that session. It can be useful for users using limited networks - for example, 3G mobile internet. This makes it easy to know if the packet is being exceeded.
License: Free
IMPORTANT. The program requires the .NET Framework 1.1 package to be installed on the system.
A brilliant program in terms of a graphical interface that may surprise you with very interesting features. GlassWire is a program for managing the data flow of an Internet connection, the characteristic feature of which is, first of all, a modern animated interface, the appearance of which can be additionally modified using graphic templates, which increase the readability of the information presented on the graphs. The program allows you to display the names of processes and applications that initiate new sessions and use the network connection. The user is informed about everything through pop-up windows and directly from the program window.
Using GlassWire is intuitive and boils down to switching between sequential tabs that correspond to the main functions implemented in the program: graphical data analysis, firewall settings, transfer of consumption data divided into applications and a notification list. In them, we usually have the following three views, which allow us to customize the screen content for our needs - at the same time, more information about individual processes can be displayed, as well as the account representing the data in the charts.
Directly from the program menu it is possible to contact the technical support section, available online on the manufacturer's website. It is very self-explanatory and contains not only a quick and complete guide to using the program, but also access to a database of frequently asked questions or user forums. Although at the moment the program is only available in a development version, the manufacturer's desire to fine-tune all the details quickly makes it popular. Benefits:
- firewall function;
- very convenient and beautiful interface;
- ease of use.
Disadvantages:
- lack of many features in the free version;
- no data transfer tracking schedule.
License: Free.
An advanced monitoring utility that allows you to monitor network traffic generated by applications. Creates reports in many formats. This program reports downloading and sending data for the Internet, local network and for certain programs. It also tells you what applications the internet is using. Monitors the quality of the Wi-Fi signal. The latest version is fully compatible with Windows 10. The DU indicator clearly tracks data usage. It provides hourly, daily, weekly and monthly reports. It can also warn of exceeding fixed limits. Data from reports can be exported to Excel, Word and PDF. The stopwatch mode allows you to determine data consumption with a high degree of accuracy at a specific time. You can not only specify the hours at which the transfer should not be counted (which would be useful for people who use tariff plans with free hours).
DU Meter appears as a semi-transparent notification window in the lower right corner of the desktop and shows real-time network traffic information. The DU Meter window can be enlarged by dragging its edges with the mouse. Each vertical line is one second. The red line is incoming traffic and the green line is outgoing. At the bottom of the window there are tabs "Internet", "LAN", "Programs" - switching between them, you can see the corresponding data. By right-clicking on the program window, a pop-up menu can be called up, which provides access to various reports, stopwatch mode, or user and administrator options.
To see the main internet traffic report as quickly as possible, hover your mouse over the DU Meter icon in the taskbar. To view detailed information about online activity of programs, right-click on the semi-transparent window of the DU Meter and select "View Network Connections". A new window under the Programs tab contains all applications that use data transfer. The Open TCP Connections tab displays information to help you identify unauthorized traffic from your computer. Benefits:
- maximum number of report formats;
- simultaneous counting of data for specific applications and network traffic;
- use timer.
Disadvantage: trial version.
License: trial.
These are the most popular applications. You can try a few others that stand out for their functionality.
A very useful program. Many additional features make it the most versatile application for monitoring data transfer to a PC. Benefits:
- ease of use;
- tracking specific applications;
- the ability to create reports;
- traffic monitor mode on the router (requires SNMP supported by the router).
Disadvantage: Inaccurate tracking of applications launched by the system.
License: Free.
Takes up very little space, does not overload the processor during operation. There are not many advanced features, but the application takes on its simplicity. Benefits:
- simple control;
- stopwatch function.
Disadvantages:
- uninteresting appearance;
- no app-specific data tracking.
License: Free.
Works without problems in almost all versions of Windows, has functions available only in paid versions of this type of program. Benefits:
- firewall function;
- schedule with the ability to turn off tracking at a certain time;
- remote management of statistics via the network.
Disadvantage: Quite difficult to use.
License: Free.
Of course, the list of programs for accounting traffic on a computer can be continued for quite a long time. We've collected the best and most popular apps. If you already have experience using other software, share it in the comments.
Hello friends! Write about how to monitor traffic I was going right after I wrote the article ““, but somehow I forgot. Now I remembered and will tell you about how to track how much traffic you spend, and we will do this using a free program NetWorx.
You know, when the unlimited Internet is connected, then you don't really need to monitor the traffic, except for the sake of interest. Yes, now all city grids are usually unlimited, which cannot yet be said about 3G Internet, whose rates are usually off scale.
All this summer I have been using CDMA Internet from Intertelecom, and I know all these nuances with traffic and tariffs firsthand. I already wrote about how to set up and improve the Internet from Intertelecom, read and. So, their "unlimited" tariff costs 150 hryvnia per month. As you can see, I put the word unlimited in quotes, why? Yes, because there is a speed limit, though only during the day, but there is nothing to be happy about, the speed there is simply awful, it is better to use GPRS.The most normal tariff is 5 hryvnia per day upon connection, that is, if you don't connect today, you don't pay. But it is not unlimited, it is 1000 megabytes per day, until 12 o'clock at night. I have this tariff now, but at least the speed is decent, the real average speed is 200 Kbps. But 1000 MB per day is not very much at such a speed, so it is simply necessary to control the traffic in this case. Moreover, after using this 1000 MB, the cost of one megabyte is 10 kopecks, which is not a little.
As soon as I connected this Internet, I began to look for a pretty program that would control my Internet traffic and I could set a warning when the limit was spent. And I found it, of course not right away, after trying a couple of pieces I came across the NetWorx program. About which we will continue to talk.
NetWorx will monitor traffic
Now I will tell you where to get the program and how to configure it.
1. Whatever you are looking for a program, I have uploaded it to my hosting, therefore.
2. Run the downloaded file and install the program, I will not describe the installation process, I wrote about it in.
3. If after installation the program did not start itself, then launch it with a shortcut on the desktop or in the start menu.
4. That's it, the program already counts your Internet traffic, it hides in the tray and works quietly there. The working window of the program looks like this:
As you can see, the program displays Internet traffic for the current day and for the entire time, starting from the time you installed the program, you can see how much I burned :). In fact, the program does not need any settings. I'll just tell you how to set a quota in NetWorx, that is, traffic limits and how to make sure that the activity of incoming and outgoing Internet traffic is displayed in the tray icon.
5. Let's now make it so that the Internet traffic activity is displayed in the tray.
Right-click on the program icon in the tray and select "Settings"
On the “Chart” tab, set it as I did in the screenshot, click “Ok” and “Apply”. Now the NetWorx icon in the tray will display the activity of the Internet connection.
6. And the last item in setting up this program will be setting the quota. For example, Intertelecom gives me only 1000 MB per day, so that I would not spend more than this rate, I configured the program so that when I spend 80% of my traffic, it would warn me.
Right-click on the program icon in the tray and select "Quota".
You see, today I have used up my limit by 53%, below there is a field where you can specify at what percentage to report that the traffic ends. Let's click on the “Configure” button and set up the quota.
Everything is very simple here, first we set what kind of quota you have, for example my daily one, then we set the traffic, I selected all traffic, that is, incoming and outgoing. We expose "Hours" and "Units", I have megabytes. And of course, do not forget to specify the size of the quota, I have 1000 megabytes. Click "Ok" and that's it, our quota is set.
That's it, the program is fully configured and ready to count your traffic. It will be launched together with the computer, and you just have to look in and see how much traffic you have already burned for interest. Good luck!
More on the site:
NetWorx: How to Monitor Internet Traffic updated: August 17, 2012 by the author: admin
05/23/16 45.3KMany network administrators often face problems that can be dealt with by analyzing network traffic. And here we are faced with such a concept as a traffic analyzer. So what is it?
NetFlow Analyzers and Collectors are tools that help you monitor and analyze network traffic data. Network process analyzers help you pinpoint the devices that are degrading bandwidth. They know how to find problem areas in your system, and improve the overall efficiency of the network.
The term " NetFlow»Refers to the Cisco protocol for collecting IP traffic information and monitoring network traffic. NetFlow has been adopted as the standard protocol for streaming technologies.
NetFlow software collects and analyzes flow data generated by routers and presents it in a user-friendly format.
Several other network equipment vendors have their own protocols for monitoring and data collection. For example, Juniper, another highly respected network device vendor, calls its protocol “ J-Flow". HP and Fortinet use the term “ s-Flow". Although the protocols are named differently, they all work in the same way. In this article, we'll take a look at 10 Free Network Traffic Analyzers and NetFlow Collectors for Windows.
SolarWinds Real-Time NetFlow Traffic Analyzer
Free NetFlow Traffic Analyzer is one of the most popular tools available for free download. It provides the ability to sort, label and display data in a variety of ways. This allows you to conveniently visualize and analyze network traffic. The tool is great for monitoring network traffic by type and time period. And also running tests to determine how much traffic different applications are consuming.
This free tool is limited to one NetFlow monitoring interface and only stores 60 minutes of data. This Netflow analyzer is a powerful tool that is well worth using.
Colasoft Capsa Free
This free LAN traffic analyzer allows you to identify and monitor over 300 network protocols and allows you to create custom reports. It includes email monitoring and sequence diagrams TCP sync, it's all gathered in one custom panel.
Other features include network security analysis. For example, monitoring DoS / DDoS attacks, worm activity, and ARP attack detection. As well as decoding packets and displaying information, statistics about each host in the network, packet exchange control and stream reconstruction. Capsa Free supports all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP.
The minimum system requirements for installation are 2 GB of RAM and a 2.8 GHz processor. You must also have an Ethernet connection to the Internet ( compatible with NDIS 3 or higher), Fast Ethernet or Gigabit with mixed-mode driver. It allows you to passively capture all packets transmitted over the Ethernet cable.
Angry IP Scanner
It is an open source Windows traffic analyzer that is fast and easy to use. It does not require installation and can be used on Linux, Windows and Mac OSX. This tool works by simply pinging each IP address and can detect MAC addresses, scan ports, provide NetBIOS information, identify an authorized user on Windows systems, detect web servers, and more. Its capabilities are extended with Java plugins. Scan data can be saved to CSV, TXT, XML files.
ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer Professional
Full featured version of NetFlow software from ManageEngines. It is a powerful software with a full set of functions for analysis and data collection: monitoring the bandwidth of the channel in real time and alerts when thresholds are reached, which allows you to quickly administer processes. In addition, it provides a summary of resource use data, monitoring applications and protocols, and much more.
The free version of Linux Traffic Analyzer allows unlimited use of the product for 30 days, after which only two interfaces can be monitored. The system requirements for NetFlow Analyzer ManageEngine depend on the flow rate. Recommended requirements for a minimum stream rate from 0 to 3000 streams per second: 2.4 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 250 GB of free hard disk space. As the flow rate to be monitored increases, the requirements also increase.
The dude
This application is a popular network monitor developed by MikroTik. It automatically scans all devices and recreates the network map. The Dude monitors servers running on various devices and alerts in case of problems. Other features include automatic discovery and mapping of new devices, the ability to create your own maps, access to tools to remotely control devices, and more. It works on Windows, Linux Wine and macOS Darwine.
JDSU Network Analyzer Fast Ethernet
This traffic analyzer program allows you to quickly collect and view data over the network. The tool provides the ability to view registered users, determine the level of network bandwidth utilization by individual devices, and quickly find and fix errors. And also capture data in real time and analyze it.
The application supports the creation of highly detailed graphs and tables that allow administrators to track traffic anomalies, filter data to sift through large amounts of data, and more. For entry-level professionals as well as experienced administrators, this tool allows you to take complete control of your network.
Plixer Scrutinizer
This network traffic analyzer allows you to collect and comprehensively analyze network traffic, and quickly find and fix errors. With Scrutinizer, you can sort your data in a variety of ways, including by time intervals, hosts, applications, protocols, and more. The free version allows you to control an unlimited number of interfaces and store data for 24 hours of activity.
Wireshark
Wireshark is a powerful network analyzer that can run on Linux, Windows, MacOS X, Solaris, and other platforms. Wireshark allows you to view the captured data using a graphical interface, or use the TTY-mode TShark utilities. Its functions include collecting and analyzing VoIP traffic, real-time display of Ethernet data, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, USB, Frame Relay, data output to XML, PostScript, CSV, decryption support, and more.
System requirements: Windows XP or higher, any modern 64/32-bit processor, 400 Mb of RAM and 300 Mb of free disk space. Wireshark NetFlow Analyzer is a powerful tool that can greatly simplify the work of any network administrator.
Paessler PRTG
This traffic analyzer provides users with many useful features: support for monitoring LAN, WAN, VPN, applications, virtual server, QoS and environment. Monitoring of multiple sites is also supported. PRTG uses SNMP, WMI, NetFlow, SFlow, JFlow and packet sniffing, as well as uptime / downtime monitoring and IPv6 support.
The free version allows you to use an unlimited number of sensors for 30 days, after which you can use only up to 100 sensors for free.
nProbe
It is a full-featured open source NetFlow tracking and analysis application.
nProbe supports IPv4 and IPv6, Cisco NetFlow v9 / IPFIX, NetFlow-Lite, VoIP traffic analysis, flow and packet sampling, log generation, MySQL / Oracle and DNS activity, and much more. The application is free if you download and compile the traffic analyzer on Linux or Windows. The setup executable limits the capture size to 2000 packets. nProbe is completely free for educational institutions, as well as non-profit and scientific organizations. This tool will work on 64-bit versions of Linux and Windows operating systems.
This list of 10 free NetFlow traffic analyzers and collectors will help you get started monitoring and troubleshooting a small office network or a large, multi-site corporate WAN.
Each application presented in this article provides the ability to monitor and analyze network traffic, detect minor failures, and identify bandwidth anomalies that may indicate security threats. And also visualize information about the network, traffic and much more. Network administrators must have such tools in their arsenal.
This publication is a translation of the article " Top 10 Best Free Netflow Analyzers and Collectors for Windows"Prepared by the friendly project team
Good bad
Traffic accounting software monitors connections on all interfaces. They count the amount of data received and sent.
Some of them allow you to limit the speed of each individual connection.
Thus, it is possible to distribute Internet traffic depending on the priority of the task.
Another useful feature of such utilities is the ability to maintain statistics.
Advice!
Such software is necessary for corporate structures in which every financial aspect is important. Using a traffic monitor is beneficial in home networks too.
Among all such programs, there are five most common, functional and convenient.
NetWorx
Free software for traffic accounting, combining a simple interface and good functionality.
The program's capabilities allow you to monitor multiple connections, which is very useful for tracking traffic in corporate networks.
Detailed connection monitoring allows you to identify and reflect unauthorized access attempts.
A flexible notification system will allow you not to miss an important event, be it connection problems, suspicious actions or a decrease in connection speed.
The collected data is not only displayed graphically in the program window, but also saved in a special statistics file.
The statistics are then easily exported to spreadsheet, HTML or MS Word document format.
Advantages:
Monitoring of multiple connections;
Flexible notification system;
Detailed statistics;
Free distribution model.
Disadvantages:
True, in this mode one can only observe the dynamics, it will not work to influence it.
Advantages:
Free distribution;
Remote monitoring capability;
Good for home use.
Disadvantages:
Significant consumption of RAM resources;
.NET Framework required (conditional flaw).
Internet count
The program is designed to account for the cost of an Internet connection. Accounting is possible both for time billing and for tariff plans with traffic limits.
The universal capabilities of the program allow you to calculate the cost of an Internet connection for users in any region.
All collected data are saved in detailed statistics by day and month.
The collected data can be exported to various document formats for further detailed analysis.
Advantages:
Free distribution;
Possibility of cost accounting regardless of the region;
Detailed statistics.
Disadvantages:
Only cost accounting is carried out;
Only Beta version available.
TMeter
An excellent tool for traffic accounting. The utility collects as much information as possible on data exchange processes.
TMeter provides traffic counting as well as the ability to manage multiple connections.
Statistics are collected on a variety of parameters with display in accordance with the current state of affairs and saving in graphic and text forms.
The powerful functionality of the program allows you to manage connections using your own authentication system, based on IP addresses or other parameters.
Data flow controls allow you to limit the connection speed for each user individually.
Advantages:
Huge toolkit for corporate network management;
NAT mechanism, which provides LAN users with Internet access via a single IP;
Built-in authentication service;
Flexible filter system.
Disadvantages:
Windows-oriented, work in other OS is impossible;
Not suitable for home use;
An interface that is difficult to learn will not be suitable for ordinary users;
The free version has a limitation on the filters used (up to 3).
TrafficMonitor
A universal tool that allows you to track the traffic volume both for personal connections and in corporate networks.
To work requires the presence of a working environment .NET Framework 2.0, OSD-window and a floating window displaying traffic dynamics allow you to always have access to the necessary information.
Advantages:
Convenient interface with quick access elements;
More than 125 parameter counters;
Keeping a detailed log of events.
Disadvantages:
Single conflicts with proxy servers;
Incorrect work with Dialup connections.
Traffic tracking software is very useful for a wide audience.
Both ordinary users of personal connections and system administrators of complex commercial networks will benefit from them.
Moreover, among the many available utilities, you can find universal ones.
Internet speed and Internet traffic accounting program
A free utility for those who are engaged in system administration or home network monitoring.
Computers are connected to each other using external or internal networks. Thanks to this, users can share information with each other, even being on different continents.
Office traffic control software
With the help of ICS, you can easily control traffic accounting and its distribution among users, influence the ability to connect to Internet resources at your discretion, and ensure the security of your internal network.
School traffic control software
ICS is a universal Internet gateway with tools for protecting the educational network, traffic accounting, access control and deploying mail, proxy and file servers.
Home traffic control software
ICS Lite is a free Internet gateway that provides all the needs of working with the Internet at home. ICS Lite is a fully functional version of the Internet Control Server, which includes a license for 8 users.
Types of networks
- Home - combine computers in one apartment or house.
- Corporate - connect the working machines of the enterprise.
- Local networks - often have a closed infrastructure.
- Global - connect entire regions and can include local networks.
The benefits of such a connection are enormous: the time of specialists is saved, and the bills for telephone calls are reduced. And all these benefits can be nullified if safety is not taken care of in time.
Firms that are not familiar with the concept of "traffic control" incur colossal losses or completely restrict access to information. There is an easier way to save money safely - a program for monitoring traffic in the local network.
Traffic tracking
It is important for a manager to know what the company's funds are spent on. Therefore, the system administrator is also involved in the control of network traffic in the office. Statistics are collected not only by volume, but also by the content of the transmitted information.
Why do you need local network control? Although the answer to this question is obvious, many system administrators cannot reasonably justify the need to control the consumption of Internet traffic.
Benefits for the manager
Traffic control program:
- optimizes the network operation - due to the saving of specialists' working time, labor productivity is increased;
- shows the distribution of traffic by users - makes it possible to find out who needs Internet resources;
- shows for what purposes the traffic was spent - excludes inappropriate access.
System Administrator Benefits
Traffic monitoring in the local network allows:
- restrict users' access to unwanted information;
- promptly receive data on the volume of traffic - excluding network congestion;
- prevent viruses from entering the network and identify violators of the security regime.
Control options
Control of Internet traffic in a corporate network can be organized in several ways:
- Buy a firewall with the ability to differentiate traffic.
- Configure proxy servers with NAT drivers with traffic accounting functions.
- Use different types of add-ons.
Only a comprehensive solution can provide maximum protection. Internet Control The server provides full traffic control and offers all the necessary functionality. ICS is a FreeBSD-based router with a built-in proxy server.
ICS advantages
- Statistical studies have revealed that employees spend 1/3 of their working time on the Internet for personal purposes. A special ICS Internet gateway will help prevent inappropriate access.
- Traffic consumption control system keeps track of any user operating systems.
- IKS offers flexible settings.
- Creates detailed reports in a convenient form.
Free download!
Start right now - download the demo version of the program for monitoring Internet traffic from our website. You can use all the functions of our solution without restrictions for 35 days! After the end of the test period, you just need to purchase the full version by placing an order or contacting our managers.