Measuring internet usage

I recently reached the limit if my monthly allowance of 3 gigs of data off the internet. I was surprised as I have never had this before and don't download large files like movies or even mp3's. I do know that skype if left on 24/7 can end up using a lot by just ticking over. I never, however leave my computer running. Is there away of monitoring in real time how much data I'm consuming on the net?

SurplusMeter could help.

Cheers

Another vote for Surplus Meter. Works great for me since AT&T put a Cap on their "unlimited" DSL service!

One thing I would note (and this may be of no relevance) - SurplusMeter counts traffic in and out of your computer regardless of where it's going. For instance, sending files across the network is counted even if nothing ever leaves your home. I just uploaded a file to my file server (both behind the router) and SM counted it as "bytes up." Something to note if you send data around your home network.

I am going to have have to try that as it will play havoc with the readings if that is going on with me as I do a lot of computer to computer file transfers. Thanks for reporting that Van.

If only SM or some other app could monitor traffic moving between your router and the outside world. Surely some routers must have this. Do either DD-WRT or Tomato offer something like this? I'm moving to a capped plan shortly so I'd love to be able to keep track of this.

vansmith said:

If only SM or some other app could monitor traffic moving between your router and the outside world. Surely some routers must have this. Do either DD-WRT or Tomato offer something like this? I'm moving to a capped plan shortly so I'd love to be able to keep track of this.

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I will check into this and get back to you. Some routers measure in bytes and not packets. Not sure on the DD-WRT but I will check.

Which router do you own right now?

I just confirmed that Surplus meter DOES count network file copy in the reading. That is not good as I want to know what I am using from my ISP.

I own an ASUS....that's a good question. I'll take a look when I get back home. IIRC, it's supported by DD-WRT.

It's a shame that SM checks all traffic. Not an issue if you don't share data across the network but useless if you do (well, maybe not useless).

For sure let me know. Going to check my Linksys with WW-DRT right now.

Not useless but since I copy a lot of files around the network, I will not get the actual usage. Oh well! At least the reading will be higher and not lower!

So what's the deal with this "SurplusMeter" program. I downloaded it & launched it...but it doesn't seem to be showing any sort of upload/download activity.

I don't have any monthly limits...I just thought that it would be fun to see what my usage is. The only thing I did was change the "Connection Type" to "Airport".

- Nick

Nick, works fine here but mine is set to Ethernet as that is how I am connected.

Van, DD-WRT under WAN has a graph in KB that measures your usage through the WAN port!! Reason for strange numbers is right now it's just an access point and the WAN is not in use.

Hard for me to tell but I was just playing around with Rubbernet - Your Mac's new best friend and while I don't have a server - I was file sharing between macs - and couldn't tell that it was showing in the usage summary. Still feeling my way around it though.

Also ask your ISP if they recommend a program. Here Down Under my ISP, Internode, Mac specialists, had a little program called 'NodeToad' written which just sits in the menu bar keeping count in per cent of monthly quota used.

dtravis7 said:

For sure let me know. Going to check my Linksys with WW-DRT right now.

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Just got home. It's an ASUS WL520-GU which is supported by dd-wrt according to their database. Perhaps I'll have to take a look at putting it on there. You know me - the more things I can put Linux on, the better.

pigoo3 said:

So what's the deal with this "SurplusMeter" program. I downloaded it & launched it...but it doesn't seem to be showing any sort of upload/download activity.

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Should work right away. Did it here and it worked great. And you say you changed the interface?

dtravis7 said:

Van, DD-WRT under WAN has a graph in KB that measures your usage through the WAN port!! Reason for strange numbers is right now it's just an access point and the WAN is not in use.

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Excellent. I'll have to take a look at that.

harryb2448 said:

Also ask your ISP if they recommend a program. Here Down Under my ISP, Internode, Mac specialists, had a little program called 'NodeToad' written which just sits in the menu bar keeping count in per cent of monthly quota used.

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Same with iiNet Harry, although it is a online ToolBox i can sign in to. . . . . Dont really need it though as i struggle to get up and over the 50GB on peak so i have never gone over. . . . . . . I thought in this day and age, every ISP would have there own ToolBox type thing for there user's . . . . . I used Surplus before hand to get a idea of what i was using.

Hmmm - no comments about providers putting a cap on "unlimited" Internet? It must be ok then.

On the other hand, I was surprised when TMobile did it to me. Their logs showed I was downloading hundreds of megabytes late at night when I actually wasn't, and didn't know that my phone was doing it without my approval.

So, I fired them and signed onto a 2 year with Verizon since they still offer true unlimited Internet (but apparently not for long). So long as I avoid using their software, they are keeping up the 4G speed - 5-15mbps, regardless of usage. Thank you Verizon; and PdaNet!

vansmith said:

Should work right away. Did it here and it worked great. And you say you changed the interface?

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Still not working on my end. How is your computer connected to the internet (ethernet or Airport)?

I'm connected via Airport...so I changed the "Connection type" to "Airport". I'm getting absolutely no throughput numbers.

The "Read Me" doc that comes with it is pretty "spartan"...as well is the website. So it would seem that this program should be pretty easy to setup & run.

- Nick

At the time, I was connected through ethernet but I just switched over to Airport and it seems to be working. Do you happen to have an odd network setup?

Yeah, it's very much an "open and forget about it" app.

Agreed with Van. Surplus Meter is install, set and forget. It's worked great as long as I don't do any network file copy! Again Thanks Van for warning me!

vansmith said:

Do you happen to have an odd network setup?

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I must have (LOL!)...but I really don't think so:

- cable modem
- wireless router
- WEP password

Nothing fancy!

- Nick