Sharing bandwidth

DreadNiK · 13 Sep 2006 at 11:02

Hey,

I live in a student house with 3 other people who all use the internet for lots of downloading and games. Sometimes we get problems with people using too much bandwidth, and it is so irritating to have to go and ask someone to limit their torrent software or whatever, only to have them turn it back up when other people aren't around, then forget to turn it down again.

I've seen QOS mentioned, but after a bit of googling I still can't find a clear solution.

What I basically want is something that split the available bandwidth between users equally, so if only one person is using the internet, they can use all of it, but if all four of us were using it, we'd each get 25% maximum (and 2 = 50% etc)

Is this possible?

Selekt0r · 13 Sep 2006 at 11:18

Various routers will do QoS (i.e. Quality of Service). I use a Draytek Vigor 2600 Plus which has this facility (as do the more recent Draytek routers) to ensure that Gaming, VOIP, downloads and my VPN connection to work (across 5 different PCs) all get the bandwidth/priority which they require.

Draytek tend to be a bit more pricey (£125ish for the latest Vigor 2800) but I've been very happy with mine.

tolien · 13 Sep 2006 at 11:58

Or you could get an old machine and install something like IPCop.

DreadNiK · 13 Sep 2006 at 13:01

Selekt0r said:
Various routers will do QoS (i.e. Quality of Service). I use a Draytek Vigor 2600 Plus which has this facility (as do the more recent Draytek routers) to ensure that Gaming, VOIP, downloads and my VPN connection to work (across 5 different PCs) all get the bandwidth/priority which they require.

Draytek tend to be a bit more pricey (£125ish for the latest Vigor 2800) but I've been very happy with mine.

Yeah I've been looking around more and the Vigor 2800 looks like a good bet if I can persuade my housemates to part with around £30 each, the Billion 7402 looks like it might be another good option as well.

DreadNiK · 13 Sep 2006 at 13:02

tolien said:
Or you could get an old machine and install something like IPCop.

Don't want a machine running permanently.

VaderDSL · 13 Sep 2006 at 13:05

DreadNiK said:
Don't want a machine running permanently.

I'd reccommend the Draytek Vigor 2800

and limit bandwidth to each port.

I really want to replace my Draytek Vigor 2600 (wish they did a part exchange

) but as it is atm, I have to use a spare PC with a bandwidth control program on and have the wireless internet limited through there.

Avalon · 13 Sep 2006 at 15:05

IPCOP rocks, Netlimiter may be worth a look though ?

Slightly ot .. but I have a similar problem here at work every time someone decides they want to download a beta ISO or experiment with a new Linux distro/service pack etc. (usually because they want it for home and cba to wait for it to d/l at home

), the connection is supposed to be for the dedicated use of 2 box's for off site backup/client email/vpn/purchasing materials/stock, everyone else only got access as a by-product of us getting ADSL and a router years back.

Anyway after a few hours of being unable to work due to this I discovered a fantastic solution to the link being saturated and it works every time without fail..... I'm directly in front of the switch & router so unplugging the offending patch lead on the pretence of 'Network Maintenance' makes it all better

if the offending user doesn't come running it can't have been that important right ?

YMMV but I'd suggest making sure you are bigger and fuglyer than most of the people you live/work with first - I take no responsibility for any physical violence incurred as a result !

DreadNiK · 13 Sep 2006 at 15:16

Tried the trial of netlimiter, but it doesn't actually force anyone to limit their speed, since it is end-user controlled. Also after installing it, one of my housemates Windows needing reinstalling, and while I don't think it was related, he would probably be less than eager to install it again.

benjo plz. · 13 Sep 2006 at 15:18

Bandwidth controller? It's kinda along the same line of though at Tolien though, you'd need a machine to manage it.

Psyk · 13 Sep 2006 at 17:16

I might have problems with this, but I can't choose what router I get since you have to use the one Sky BB give you (apparently it's a netgear DG834GT). I suppose it shouldn't be too bad since I'll usually be the one downloading most of the time, so I can just limit it myself.