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[bmeouf]

With so many ISPs having bandwidth caps (and Comcast, the US's largest ISP, instituting a cap on all accounts starting October 1st) there is a strong need for incorporating a bandwidth report in the routers firmware. It would be ideal to have monthly bandwidth reports visible (upstream and downstream and total sum) in the firmware interface, and also an option to email monthly reports (or maybe even weekly updates).

Comcast's response to its customer's concerns is to suggest users install bandwidth monitoring software on thier computer(s), but this is not viable. Their suggested method will not take into account guest users bandwidth; will require it to be installed on every computer connected to your router (and if you're like me and hoping in and out of different OS's on the same computer than each OS will require a monitor), and most all monitoring software cannot distinguish between local network traffic and internet traffic.

D-Link, please add bandwidth monitoring to the popular DIR-655 router as soon as possible. Even better, get it out before the Comcast bandwidth cap takes affect on October 1st.

Thank you, D-Link,  for your continuous improvement of existing products!

[bmeouf]

hmm, no one else on this board needs this feature?

[AWDL]

hmm, no one else on this board needs this feature?

May be your argument was so sound, they have nothing to add. Think positive. Sounds like a cool enough feature (system utilization problems aside) to mention it as an option to PM.

[Lucid]

It's backwards thinking. ISP's need the pressure from the consumer base to stop throttling and starting beefing up our bandwidth. We Canada and US are way behind Asian markets. our extreme services are joke. I don't buy any argument indicating that our Backbones can't take it. Besides it stand to make more sense that why should they create more work for themselves? It is easier to CAP than to expand.

I hope this doesn't hijack the thread but morally I hope that DLink and all outher router manufacturers DO NOT create this vehicle that while stagnate the internet development in North America?

Sorry bud...get on the pone complain to your ISP and switch. It's a lot better then paying high prices for CAP'd crap.

Cheers!

Lucid.

[MitchSchaft]

There's nobody else to switch to here in Memphis. I'm not touching DSL's low bandwidth.

I say yes to the monitor, regardless of an ISP's stance. I would like to see one for general knowledge and curiosity.

[Lucid]

ISP's adside that does make sense. Especially if you can moinitor bandwidth from each internal IP so you can keep track of how much bandwidth your kids/employees are using up.

Too bad for your ISP situation. That sucks. Mind you in Toronto CAN there isn't much choice either. It migh be intersting to see a Joint Government ISP.

*chew on that big brother*

Back on topic. I bump the request!

Cheers,

Lucid

[D-Linkuent]

The accurate metering feature is certainly easy to implement.  But I always thought router manufacturers omitted it on purpose, so that home/SOHO class equipment could not be used to commercially re-sell bandwidth.  For they have more expensive products positioned in that market.

So, in our products, we usually get some kind of transfer counters, but they basically overflow after 4GB.

I think there is no chance D-Link or anyone else will give us accurate metering any time soon, even for a legitimate application, like the one described by OP.  They will say it is unnecessary because you can get a usage report from your ISP's web portal.

And I think a router cannot realistically offer much more than a usage report to help you manage your monthly cap.  I mean, you could tell it not to go on the Internet until next month, once it hits the cap.  But is that a feature you want?  And would D-Link's tech support welcome the extra calls?

Sorry to be the devil's advocate here.  If anyone wants to tear apart my little conspiracy theory, I would be happy if I am proved wrong.

[Tsumeone]

The accurate metering feature is certainly easy to implement.  But I always thought router manufacturers omitted it on purpose, so that home/SOHO class equipment could not be used to commercially re-sell bandwidth.  For they have more expensive products positioned in that market.

So, in our products, we usually get some kind of transfer counters, but they basically overflow after 4GB.

I think there is no chance D-Link or anyone else will give us accurate metering any time soon, even for a legitimate application, like the one described by OP.  They will say it is unnecessary because you can get a usage report from your ISP's web portal.

And I think a router cannot realistically offer much more than a usage report to help you manage your monthly cap.  I mean, you could tell it not to go on the Internet until next month, once it hits the cap.  But is that a feature you want?  And would D-Link's tech support welcome the extra calls?

Sorry to be the devil's advocate here.  If anyone wants to tear apart my little conspiracy theory, I would be happy if I am proved wrong.

Comcast does not plan on showing bandwidth usage on any web portal anywhere, ever.

[MitchSchaft]

Coincidentally, a Windows Home Server addin was just released that will monitor your UPnP router's bandwidth usage. Check it out if you run a WHS box:

http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/09/19/add-in-router-control-v1007/

[jhsanchez]

My experience with te WHS plug-in is that it crashes the console.  I have used V1.20 and the latest beta.

Jim

[MitchSchaft]

Mine, too. Supposedly there's a way to fix it with settings in your router. I haven't tried it yet.

[shaith]

Comcast does not plan on showing bandwidth usage on any web portal anywhere, ever.

http://help.comcast.net/content/faq/Frequently-Asked-Questions-about-Excessive-Use#tracking

How does Comcast help its customers track their usage so they can avoid exceeding the limit?
We are in the process of creating a usage meter that will measure consumption for the Comcast account which will be available in the coming months. In the meantime, we offer a meter for free with our McAfee security suite available at http://security.comcast.net/

[Lycan]

For the WHS to monitor any traffic VIA UPnP, the hooks would have to be there. Thats viewed as a security flaw by many. I doubt very seriously if we'll add any type of monitor to the hardware. It would require that more memory be available to the unit.

It might be possible on a undeveloped unit, but the ones that are in production will probably not see this feature. I will ask however.

[funchords]

Hi Lycan,

I'm using GUPnP Universal Control Point and can observe Xtreme N GIGABIT Router -  Xtreme N GIGABIT Router - urn:upnp-org:serviceId:WANCommonIFC1 - GetTotalBytesSent and Xtreme N GIGABIT Router -  Xtreme N GIGABIT Router - urn:upnp-org:serviceId:WANCommonIFC1 - GetTotalBytesSent via UPnP. 

So the data is there if someone wants to code up the UPNP app to get it.  It doesn't seem to be persistent between reboots, though, so beware of that.  This was also true of the DGL-4300. 

I like Lucid's idea the best -- screw the ISPs, call them and tell them to quit playing the scarce bandwidth game.  Technology has never gone from "unlimited" to "limited," it always goes the other way.

Robb

[Lycan]

I agree. The only reason their getting away with it is because people aren't switching.