Download Limiter Program?

[componentwarehouse]

Hi all

We have a capped broadband connection of 25GB/month, and I need a program/way to limit the amount of downloading each computer does on the network. If we go over the 25GB/month, we get charged, and we also need a way so that each computer and user gets a fair share of the download usage. Does anyone know of a program or something in windows?

Ideally needs to be freeware, or at least something where 1 licence does all of the computers.

Thanks
Alex

[Smith6612]

The only way I can think of is setting up a spare computer as a Linux box that will count your bytes and let you know when you're close to the limit, along with acting as a router that will divy up the bandwidth allowance to each computer equally, then shut the computer from the internet when it goes over. I don't know of any real program though. I'm sure a quick look around SourceForge or Google should bring up something. I can take a look around for you. The only thing I can think of is an FAP monitor, but that's meant for satellite internet mainly.

As for the 25GB a month cap, I could seriously never use the internet with that, as every month I use well over 300GB a month.

[componentwarehouse]

OK, Ill bare that in mind, could do with a small fileserver as well - could act as both I presume.

Yeah the 25GB cap is annoying sometimes, but the quality of the service is amazing so wouldnt swap it for an uncapped. Rated no. 1 ISP in the UK for several years running, also the fastest with the best customer service so... Ill be sticking with them for sometime yet.

Any other suggestions as to a little easier solution, a quick look around google dug up a few programs but all could be easily disabled fairly easy (with a few clicks) so wouldnt do their job brilliantly. Anyone know whether a service could be easily created to do something like this?

Alex

[Smith6612]

Well, don't forget, even the capped services can be bad. My service from my Telephone Provider, via DSL is uncapped and unthrottled. All incoming ports open. The speed is 7.1Mbps/1.5Mbps, which I always get a little more speed than the above mentioned speed (download usually hits 7.2Mbps and the upload is slightly over 1.5Mbps by 50 or so Kb), and I'm also fed out of a remote terminal, not a central office. This terminal is feeding about 300+ houses, all of which can get DSL from it, and at least 3Mbps/768kbps. I've had DSL for over 3 years now, and it's been the only broadband connection that I've used here before, and it has never slowed down even one bit unless I'm causing the slowdown. But, my Remote Terminal is serviced by Fiber, so the Telco has a while stash of bandwidth available to them.

Uncapped services aren't bad. It's just a matter of making sure there is enough bandwidth to go around. In my case, there is. And I know this for a fact because I'm usually maxing the line out when I'm online.