Request: Router bandwidth usage tracking program

[Rob]

I've suspected for some time now that my ISP, who limits my monthly usage to 60gb, has been scamming me on how much I actually use each month--since they decide how much to charge for overage too. Today I was particularly perturbed: It shows I used over a gb of traffic yesterday, even though I downloaded nothing, didn't watch any porn, didn't spend more than a few minutes on YouTube, and even had my PC shut down both leading into and ending the day.

So I'd like to find out for sure if something's up, or if I'm just being overly paranoid. I'm looking for a program that can track my router's traffic; daily, monthly, etc. I would prefer something free, but if it's not too expensive I don't mind paying either.

TMH, rescue me!

[Guy Montag]

here is a guide to installing a bandwidth monitor which will watch just your PC.

The only real way to know for sure your true bandwidth usage is to have a gateway router which supports it(a pretty expensive option generally), or if you have a old PC with 2 network cards lying around, use it at least temporarily as your gateway with software like SmoothWall or Ebox.

Another cheap option is to use Wireshark on a hub between your router and modem, but that requires some familiarity with the application as it isn't straight forward.

Another option is to put a open source firmware on your router like Tomato or OpenWRT, but you need the right model router.

[Latzen]

Simple solution, non-software solution. Deactivate (or physically unplug) you router when you're not using it. Log the amount of time you spend on the internet. Divide the amount of date your ISP says you used by your amount of time physically plugged into the connection. That will give you a good starting read on whether your usage is even physically possible or not, and a pretty good window on if the usage they're assigning to you is mildly realistic.

I had an overage issue when 7 auto-updated a 400 some Mb update on me.

[Guy Montag]

That isn't a solution. There is no way to know if there is malware/etc eating bandwidth up when idle and how much, there is no way to come up with a reasonably accurate number to multiply by the time online.

[Latzen]

That isn't a solution.

okay. I'm just spitballing.

[Shade-of-Grey]

60 gb throttle? w.t.f. Where do you live, who is your isp? There's no way I could keep my internet traffic under 60gb a month, I probably use at least 90gb/mo ... probably a lot more.

Tomato firmware can do what you're looking for if you have a compatible router -- http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

[Latzen]

He lives in Burlington, Ontario, Canadia, and his ISP is Canadian.

[Rob]

Tomato firmware can do what you're looking for if you have a compatible router -- http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

Another option is to put a open source firmware on your router like Tomato or OpenWRT, but you need the right model router.

I will attempt this first, and hope that my router is compatible.

Simple solution, non-software solution. Deactivate (or physically unplug) you router when you're not using it. Log the amount of time you spend on the internet. Divide the amount of date your ISP says you used by your amount of time physically plugged into the connection. That will give you a good starting read on whether your usage is even physically possible or not, and a pretty good window on if the usage they're assigning to you is mildly realistic.

I had an overage issue when 7 auto-updated a 400 some Mb update on me.

A little problematic...I'm not the only one on our network (family) and we don't all sleep the same hours. That's a no-go, but thanks.

60 gb throttle? w.t.f. Where do you live, who is your isp? There's no way I could keep my internet traffic under 60gb a month, I probably use at least 90gb/mo ... probably a lot more.

Yeah, I fucking hate it. Total bullshit. It's a consequence of Bell being a cunt and the CRTC being an even bigger cunt.

Bell is quite a ways behind everyone else in terms of having up-to-date infrastructure, and their DSL internet service was lagging behind the cable providers so they throttled and capped their internet service. People lodged a complaint with the CRTC, who ruled in Bell's favour. The other ISPs, not wanting to deal with extra traffic from people jumping ship from Bell and especially not wanting to deal with a price war, enacted the same restrictions on their internet services--fucking me and every other cable internet user over in the process.

[Guy Montag]

Don't attempt anything until your know if your router is compatible. What model is it?

[Rob]

Don't attempt anything until your know if your router is compatible. What model is it?

Mine's a LinkSys Wireless-G WRT54GL v1.1

According to their FAQ/Notes:

Routers that are known to work with Tomato:
Linksys WRT54G v1-v4, WRT54GS v1-v4, WRT54GL v1.x, WRTSL54GS (no USB support)

I should be okay, correct?