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?

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.

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.