PC Mechanic, New Article

Using Networx To Monitor Bandwidth Usage

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 03:30 AM PST

Outside of the US, large ISPs want more money for all the bandwidth sucked up from streaming video. And although this may be premature to say this, I believe they’ll get it. How they’ll get it that most likely consumers will feel the pinch and have to pay more fees just to access the internet.

Just north of the US, Canada will soon be feeling the sting of heavily restricted metered internet access.

In the US it’s only a matter of time before the sting hits home, and those big files you send and receive right now will quickly become a thing of the past unless you want to pay-pay-pay.

It’s not a bad idea to start learning how to measure your bandwidth now so you have an idea of how much data you’re actually sending and receiving.

Networx is a freeware app that gives you all usable network information you want with no fluff. It generates reports easily and it’s really tough to find one that does the job better.

The above screen shot is just a very short sample of only a few minutes. After leaving Networx running for a short while you’ll see the MB’s turn into GB’s very quickly.

A quick right-click gives you some very handy network utilities:

In addition to monitoring bandwidth, you can PING and run Netstat in super-user-friendly windows that are very easy to use.

One of the best built-in utilities however is Quota. If you are using a metered-bandwidth ISP, you can set up Quota to detect when you’re reaching a specific limit and remind you of such.

Granted, this only applies to the computer Networx is installed on and not all computers and other devices in your network, but this is still really nice to have. You could install this on the PC that uses the most bandwidth and set a quota limit that when hit warns you of how much you’re using. Quotas can be set up as daily, weekly or monthly and you have the option of measuring all traffic, only uploads or only downloads.

You can download Networx here: http://www.softperfect.com/products/networx/ – it runs in Windows versions 2000, XP, 2003, 2008, Vista and 7. And yes, it’s a small download.

Post from: PCMech. Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On And Live The Digital Lifestyle.

Using Networx To Monitor Bandwidth Usage

Need A Reason To Own A UPS? Your Wireless Router

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 03:00 AM PST

The way ISPs these days deliver connectivity to customers is a mixed bag, but it’s probably true the wireless router delivered by your ISP has a battery backup in it. In the event of a power outage, your modem runs on battery for a maximum period of 4 to 6 hours, depending on how good the battery in the modem is.

Those who are fortunate receive a modem from the ISP that also serves as a router, has a battery backup and has wireless connectivity built-in. If the power goes out, all you have to do is fire up your laptop or netbook (or smart device like a smartphone or tablet); this provides you with a few hours of computing with networking which is usually more than enough time before the power comes back on.

Unfortunately however is the fact while most people have a modem with built-in battery backup, the wireless router depends 100% on AC power from the wall. When the power goes out, sure, your modem and laptop are ready-to-go on battery, but there’s no wireless. You could directly run a network cable from the modem to the laptop, but that’s a seriously stupid idea because you lose all of the hardware-based firewall advantages the router provides (i.e. you’re making your computer a rather large open target by direct-connecting to the modem without router).

Your options

1. Purchase a wireless router with a built-in battery backup

This is not the recommended course of action because you’ll be spending too much for too little. Wi-fi routers with built-in battery backups aren’t cheap and the selection is limited.

2. Buy a UPS

Uninterruptable Power Supplies are widely available and start at around $30 – however for something decent you will spend at least $50.

Design-wise you have three basic choices when it comes to the type of UPS you can purchase. The first is the traditional ugly-as-sin big heavy box (example). It will never win a beauty contest, but it does get the job done. The second is brick-shaped (example); a unit that essentially looks like a fat power strip. The third are rackmount versions (example) that can be set up either in a rack or standing upright via mounted ‘feet’.

Which UPS should you go with?

If the express purpose is simply to keep your wireless router ‘alive’ in the case of a power outage, a low-cost brick-shaped UPS handles this easily. For example, a Linksys WRT54G only consumes about 3 watts, and smaller UPSes can power them for a good long while on battery.

If on the other hand you plan on keeping an entire PC and monitor ‘alive’ in addition to the router, you’ll most likely need to go with the big-box UPS.

Post from: PCMech. Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On And Live The Digital Lifestyle.

Need A Reason To Own A UPS? Your Wireless Router