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What is a Bandwidth Monitor?

R. Kayne
R. Kayne

A bandwidth monitor is a small software tool that principally displays an ongoing readout of real-time connection speed, both upstream and downstream, and the amount of data transferred in both directions. Depending on the program, it might also include information like Internet Protocol (IP) address or network card address.

A bandwidth monitor can be handy for anyone with an interest in fine-tuning or tweaking his or her Internet connection, as the monitor will show you whether or not the tweaks are working. You can also see your true connection speed verses the speed advertised by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which advertises plans by the top cap, or the fastest possible speed available in the plan, not actualized speeds which can vary depending on the type of service and other factors.

Man holding computer
Man holding computer

For cable customers, a bandwidth monitor will reveal those hours when local online traffic is heavy and speed slows. Armed with this knowledge, one can plan online tasks that are best undertaken during those hours when more bandwidth tends to be available. This could be anything from enjoying streaming multimedia to engaging a large download, or updating the operating system through an online interface.

Those who subscribe to a paid newsgroup service have an even more important reason to use a bandwidth monitor. Many newsgroup subscription plans cap monthly downloads based on price. Large files are shared by being broken up into small parts that are posted to a newsgroup individually, then collected by the downloader and reassembled once the volume is complete. The amount of data downloaded can grow quickly, but a bandwidth meter will remind you of the tally allowing wiser choices as the monthly allowance dwindles. Some programs will even sound user-configurable alerts.

Many bandwidth monitors are freeware and can be minimized to the system tray where a small icon graph will continue to display a readout. Clicking the icon opens a popup where the information is more easily seen. Programs generally allow this window to be configurable to remain on top of all other windows and to become partially transparent, making the bandwidth monitor less intrusive.

You might discover that a particular shareware monitor has a feature you really like, making it worth the small price. At least one popular program optionally allows the user to place a real-time graph readout in the empty section of the top toolbar of the browser. This not only looks cool, but it’s highly functional, being in the user’s constant line of sight without obscuring valuable window space.

If interested in trying out a bandwidth monitor, take the time to investigate the variety of programs available. Choice usually comes down to personal preference, as most meters deliver the same basic information using different layouts and interfaces. Remember too that most shareware programs offer free trial periods to try out programs before committing to a purchase.

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