Tracking internet connectivity across a LAN?

stevepayne · 02-23-2006, 12:12 PM

I've got a situation where I suspect a particular pc on a small network to be eating internet bandwidth, as it seems only when that pc is on that people are having problems using the internet (i.e. it becoming noticably slower). I expect that it's simply some spyware or the like, but is there any (free or demos) software utility that can quickly monitor the amount of bandwitdh, or packets etc. that is coming from pc's on a network? I can't really get at the pc without being pretty damn certain that it is causing the problem.

If this thread is in the wrong place please do move it.

Thanks in advance...

**JamesO** · 02-23-2006, 12:33 PM

Do not discount a bad babbling NIC. I have seen this before where a bad NIC floods the network with trash.

Depending on the number of machines, you might be able to just open up the Network Connection and look at the Activity and find the problem machine?

You might try something simple like AlertPing to ping each machine and see what happens?

http://www.psgsoft.com/freewar.htm

Never used Ethereal, but this might be an option as well? Might also be overkill for your problem?

http://www.ethereal.com/

JamesO

stevepayne · 02-23-2006, 01:19 PM

cheers for that, handn't thought of the nic's.

when you say 'open up the network connection and have a look at activity' what do you mean?

Ethereal - have been there before hunting some very elusive packets, your're right - it's a bit overkill for what I need!

I'll certainly have a look at the other ping one though - cheers.

**johnwill** · 02-23-2006, 03:56 PM

Well, while Ethereal is more than you need, it's very handy, and would certainly allow you to checkout this issue.

**JamesO** · 02-23-2006, 04:58 PM

On suspect machines, just go to the Control Panel, Network and Dial Up Connections, double click on the NIC icon and look at the Packets Sent and Received activity.

If you do not have a lot of machines, this might be an easy way to compare the each machines activity level.

JamesO

stevepayne · 02-24-2006, 01:53 PM

thanks for that - why hadn't I every thought about simply looking at the packet flow!

Time to investigate this weekend - thanks agian for the help.

**johnwill** · 02-26-2006, 09:19 AM

Ethereal on the server would allow you to evaluate all the machines from one point.

02-23-2006, 12:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
stevepayne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 59 OS: Win 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista	Tracking internet connectivity across a LAN? I've got a situation where I suspect a particular pc on a small network to be eating internet bandwidth, as it seems only when that pc is on that people are having problems using the internet (i.e. it becoming noticably slower). I expect that it's simply some spyware or the like, but is there any (free or demos) software utility that can quickly monitor the amount of bandwitdh, or packets etc. that is coming from pc's on a network? I can't really get at the pc without being pretty damn certain that it is causing the problem. If this thread is in the wrong place please do move it. Thanks in advance...

02-23-2006, 03:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,899 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Well, while Ethereal is more than you need, it's very handy, and would certainly allow you to checkout this issue. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-26-2006, 09:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,899 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Ethereal on the server would allow you to evaluate all the machines from one point. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-23-2006, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Do not discount a bad babbling NIC. I have seen this before where a bad NIC floods the network with trash. Depending on the number of machines, you might be able to just open up the Network Connection and look at the Activity and find the problem machine? You might try something simple like AlertPing to ping each machine and see what happens? http://www.psgsoft.com/freewar.htm Never used Ethereal, but this might be an option as well? Might also be overkill for your problem? http://www.ethereal.com/ JamesO

02-23-2006, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
stevepayne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 59 OS: Win 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista	cheers for that, handn't thought of the nic's. when you say 'open up the network connection and have a look at activity' what do you mean? Ethereal - have been there before hunting some very elusive packets, your're right - it's a bit overkill for what I need! I'll certainly have a look at the other ping one though - cheers.

02-23-2006, 04:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	On suspect machines, just go to the Control Panel, Network and Dial Up Connections, double click on the NIC icon and look at the Packets Sent and Received activity. If you do not have a lot of machines, this might be an easy way to compare the each machines activity level. JamesO

02-24-2006, 01:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
stevepayne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 59 OS: Win 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista	thanks for that - why hadn't I every thought about simply looking at the packet flow! Time to investigate this weekend - thanks agian for the help.