I am looking for a simple tool that I can monitor available bandwidth on my 3 different ISPs in real time. Not what is being used, but what is available…like a speed test, but one that can show historical data. I have PRTG but that shows what is being used. I also do not want it to constant speed tests, that would take up everything I have. I know I could just as easily do a spreadsheet and fill it in. Anyone maybe have a Powershell script that would do this, do a speed test and then fill in results on a spreadsheet?
So, a speed test can show bandwidth but so can a graph, when you see the flat line, you’ve hit your limit.
Use interface counter graphs to map out b/s and then you’ll be able to see where you’re actually maxing out. If you’ve hit a bandwidth limit on a connection but your graph is still spiky it’s not you it’s them.
But if he wanted that historical data for, say, making sure an ISP delivers promised bandwidth, then unless he’s constantly maxing out the connection, the usage graph is going to be fairly useless.
Yes, but doing a speed test while you’re using the link isn’t an accurate test, so it’s extremely difficult to be able to show bandwidth issues with anything other than a graph. If the ISP is not giving you your full bandwidth, you’ll flatline below the full bandwidth on the graph. If you are using half your link and do a speed test you will only get results for about half your link unless you drop all other traffic to do the speed test.
Good point. Though without knowing the exact details, it’s hard to make a call on what the best strategy is.
If it was me, and I was trying to contest claims as to available bandwidth, I’d probably still be running a regularly scheduled speed test (if nothing else then at least to regularly saturate the connection), and then talk to the ISP with both the speed test results and the bandwidth graph to show as complete a picture as possible.