Network Traffic Usage Monitoring

1. The LAN bandwidth monitoring allows finding out how much traffic is consumed by each employee in the company. Moreover, monitoring traffic by network protocols helps to figure out certain purposes of the bandwidth consumption: messaging, browsing photos and videos, downloading movies, etc. This allows the head manager not only to count the number of megabytes consumed, but also to evaluate the quality of employees’ work.
2. The process of the Internet usage monitoring allows to measure an optimum width of the Internet channel by spikes analyzing. Large quantity of such “spikes” is fraught with speed drops and worsening of the connection quality, which in its turn often leads to the loss of clientele and profit. Therefore, to avoid heavy loads on the Internet channel, it is very important to optimize the work of departments by time factor.
3. The network traffic monitoring provided by special-purpose software helps users to evaluate the honesty of their Internet provider and reasonableness of his bills.

The main properties of the Internet usage monitor, essential for every company:

1. For a LAN bandwidth monitor, it is compulsory to have a free trial version. Nobody wants to pay for a pig in a poke. A trial version allows to evaluate the whole functional of the software, understand its settings and range of application, and then make a well-weighed purchase.
2. The Internet traffic monitor should have several alternative methods of monitoring. The most common way is using the SMNP protocol. It does not require installation of additional modules on remote computers and allows to monitor bandwidth not only on computers but also on managed switches, network printers, and other networking equipment. But the security policy of the company does not always allow to use this protocol. In that case, WMI can be an option. Another way is to install remote agents, which are usually included in the software package and are installed on monitored computers for reading traffic values. Such agents are implemented as services - they are inconspicuous for users and do not affect the operation of a computer system on the whole.
3. For major companies, it is essential to have a possibility to send notifications in some special situations - for example, in case of exceeding of the bandwidth limit by a single user or a whole company, or in case of unavailability of some networking interfaces. The notification's form can vary: a message or a sound signal delivery to the system administrator’s computer, sending an e-mail or SMS, and making a record to Event Log of the system. All of this, firstly, helps to save the company’s funds and, secondly, to fix problems related to networking interfaces and connections in time.
4. Some network bandwidth monitors display the download speed and total amount of downloaded data in the form of charts and diagrams. No one would argue that it is much more comfortable to look through a piece of information in graphical view than a dull table or report. A diagram shows clearly who exactly has consumed a certain amount of bandwidth during some period of time. This allows to figure out the most active Internet user and take appropriate measures in accordance with the company’s policy.

The greatest benefit from using the LAN traffic monitors is that it allows the company's head to plan its current expenses more effectively and make objective conclusions concerning the work of his own employees and the Internet provider.