I want an expert!!! - Technology Forum - Home Theater, Computer, Televisions, Personal Electronics and more!

blackhawk · 08-10-2006, 09:32 AM

Hi guys,
I really have a problem with no solution. I tried many other forums without any conclusion. Hope I may find here what I'm looking for.
My pc is connected to DSL internet connection through a switcher which is connected to a router. There are 3 other pcs connected also to this switcher. The problem is the other pcs ( belong to my neighbours) are using programs which nearly take all the connection leaving me with few kbs. I want your help if anyone knows a program or a way by which i can have back my share limit ( so the connection will be divided over 4).
The connection type is 512 kbs ( when I download a file, the indicators show 2.5 or 3 kbs) & when there's no one using the internet or switching off their pcs, the indicators show 40 or more kbs.
Well... at the end, I hope someone would response soon. Thanx for your patiance....

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:33 AM

One moment please and I'll see if I can find one for you...

In the meantime...does it make any difference if you are the last to log on versus, say, the second person to log on??

So, you're question is whether there is something available to evenly divide the bandwidth so that no matter when you decide to log on you would get your equal portion?

vega55 · 08-10-2006, 09:33 AM

It is possible to do, but it all depends on what type of hardware you have. What you are looking for is QoS, Quality of Service. It will let you limit the bandwidth to each PC so that no single computer is using all of the available bandwidth.

I believe that there also some software solutions available, but I am not real familiar with those.

blackhawk · 08-10-2006, 09:33 AM

Hey guys,
Thanx for your reply, but it doesn't make any difference when I log on ( first or last). There's also another problem, all the software I found was all about the LAN through an adminstrative pc, I mean there's no single program dealing with the share limit or the bandwidth through a switcher issue.

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:34 AM

Like Eric said you are looking for QoS (quality of service) squid proxy server (runs on linux) can do this, as well there are some home routers that kinda can like D-Link DGL-4300 Wireless 108G Gaming Router (only does upstream QoS, throttling), or linksys WRT54GS with Sveasoft Alchemy firmware (use at own risk) problem is you really need the ISP to support download QoS to do it the right way.

vega55 · 08-10-2006, 09:34 AM

Most routers don't allow for balancing traffic like this - it would be a nice addition, but it's mainly because the routers are effectively unmanaged (you have some input, but nowhere near as much as on a fully-fledged machine)

I did find this link which may help you, although my devious side says just disconnect them all from the switch and put them on a hub, then connect that hub to the switch! (they'll have many more collisions, and will have to back off some of the time!)

blackhawk · 08-10-2006, 09:34 AM

Hey Guys,
I thank u all for ur advices & ur time. But still the problem exists. Anyway I wish someone really expert in that issue can help me or find me the right program...

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:34 AM

The problem is finding home stuff that can do per user rate-limiting almost all cisco switches, PIX, and routers can do rate limiting (qos).

vega55 · 08-10-2006, 09:34 AM

Cisco routers would do what you are looking for, but they are rather expensve. Also not all models will work nicely in a home network, especially with ISPs that require the use of DHCP to assign public IP addresses.

The easiest solution might well be just finding an older PC and turnging it into a router/firewall. Smoothwall is on pretty simple to setup solution. There are also mods available for it to give the exact functionality that you need. All that is required is an older say PII machine with 128-256MB of RAM and a 2-3 GB HD would work fine. Once setup all administration can be done through a browser on a remote machine.

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:35 AM

I find this to be a pretty disappointing thread. You are getting very valuable suggestions, from people that are (at a minimum) pretty educated on the subject. Not only are you ignoring the options presented, you've also insulted the people offering advice more than once. It might not be a bad idea to reconsider your method of asking for assistance.