Paessler PRTG

Bandwidth monitoring with PRTG

Continuously check bandwidth utilization and analyze traffic flow

 

  • Visually analyze bandwidth using graphs and toplists
  • Customize alerts of bandwidth shortages & bottlenecks
  • Identify traffic patterns to maximize network performance
 

Our users give top ratings for monitoring with Paessler PRTG

                                                           

 

PRTG bandwidth monitoring: What you'll find on this page

 

 

PRTG makes bandwidth monitoring easy as easy as it gets

Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent all all kinds of bandwidth issues.

 

Why choose PRTG for bandwidth monitoring?

 

Troubleshoot "bandwidth hogs" faster

Paessler PRTG helps you troubleshoot bandwidth issues faster with a comprehensive network bandwidth monitor. You can choose from around 20 preconfigured sensors for bandwidth monitoring that are set up with just a few clicks. This way, you can more quickly find out which devices or applications are hogging your bandwidth.

Measure all traffic in your network

Most bandwidth analysis solutions only check traffic on a single device. The bandwidth monitoring software PRTG measures all network traffic by monitoring data directly on your routers using protocols like SNMP, WMI, flow (NetFlow, jFlow, sFlow, IPFIX), or packet sniffing. Monitor all ingoing and outgoing traffic and see which applications or servers are using the most bandwidth.

Monitor over a longer period of time

PRTG lets you keep an eye on your bandwidth over a longer period of time and recognizes when utilization spikes. This helps you plan for more bandwidth at key times, like when your website is in high demand, when users draw heavily upon applications, or when an update is pending.

Diagnose capacity & plan more efficiently

When your bandwidth is slowly reaching its limit, PRTG bandwidth monitor notifies you even before maximum capacity has been reached. This lets you plan for new resources in a timely manner, ensures a high QoS and helps prevent performance issues.

Reduce costs & improve satisfaction

By removing bandwidth hogs, you'll increase the efficiency of your network. These savings quickly compensate for the cost of PRTG. You'll also boost the reliability of your network and enjoy greater control of your IT infrastructure. This way, you'll improve employee performance and boost customer satisfaction.

 

 

What bandwidth monitoring looks like in PRTG

Diagnose network issues by continuously tracking bandwidth utilization and flow data. Show network traffic, top talkers, packet loss, latency, jitter, quality of service, and other key metrics in real time. Visualize monitoring data in clear graphs and dashboards to identify problems more easily. Gain the overview you need to troubleshoot bandwidth bottlenecks and other network congestions.

 

 

 

IT experts agree: Paessler PRTG is a great solution for IT infrastructure monitoring

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“All-around winning
network monitor”

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“The real beauty of PRTG is the endless possibilities it offers”

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“PRTG Network Monitor
is very hard to beat”

 

 

PRTG is compatible with all major vendors & manufacturers

 

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Start bandwidth monitoring with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.

 

Your bandwidth monitor at a glance – even on the go

Set up PRTG in minutes and use it on almost any mobile device.

 

PRTG comes with all the features you need, plus more your IT infrastructure won't want to live without.

 

 

PRTG monitors these vendors and applications in one view!

 

vendors vm ware

 

 

Get a comprehensive overview of your bandwidth usage with PRTG

Monitoring bandwidth usage is key to better network management

 

Find the source of bottlenecks

PRTG reads the complete traffic data directly from your routers and provides detailed statistics about which services and applications use your bandwidth and where potential bottlenecks could be.

  • Monitor users
  • Monitor devices
  • Monitor services

Monitor bandwidth by any parameter

PRTG displays your bandwidth usage in graphs and toplists and shows net bandwidth consumption based on various parameters using, for example, packet sniffing or flow sensors (NetFlow, sFlow, jFlow, or IPFIX).

Configure custom alerts & notifications

Customizable alerts notify you about bandwidth shortages. This ensures that you can react proactively to all bandwidth issues and troubleshoot problems before they become critical.

  • SMS alerts
  • Push notifications
  • Email alerts (and more)
 

Find the root cause of the problem with our PRTG network bandwidth monitoring tool

Real-time notifications mean faster troubleshooting so that you can act before more serious issues occur.

 

3 use cases for PRTG bandwidth monitoring

One single network component that overloads can bring your network to its knees. PRTG quickly identifies potential bandwidth bottlenecks and pinpoints the root causes of crashes in likely scenarios.

 

Problems with large file transfers

Every company sends large files, which consumes a lot of bandwidth. PRTG helps you avoid the bottlenecks lurking in your network that slow down or disrupt large file transfers and cost you dearly in time and money.

Slow applications and services

Your coworkers complain that internal programs are running slowly. Your customers complain that your website seems bogged down. PRTG solves this by showing you the cause of overloads and keeping your network at maximum efficiency.

Backup malfunctions and disruptions

No IT can do without backups. But database synchronizations and backups require a lot of bandwidth – one overload or bottleneck can disrupt everything. PRTG alerts you of bandwidth shortages so you can prevent overloads before they occur.

 

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“We can all work with greater peace of mind knowing
that our systems are constantly being monitored.”

Markus Puke, Network Administrator, Schüchtermann Klinik, Germany

 

PRTG makes bandwidth monitoring easy as easy as it gets

Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent all all kinds of bandwidth issues.

 

PRTG makes your job easier

Our monitoring software frees you to focus on other tasks by promptly notifying you of potential issues.

 

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Save effort

PRTG gives you one central monitoring tool for your servers and entire network. Enjoy a quick overview of your whole infrastructure via our dashboard and app.

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Save time

Getting started with PRTG is a breeze. Setting up or switching from another network monitoring tool is easy thanks to the auto-discovery and pre-configured device templates.

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Save money

80% of our customers report substantial cost savings with network monitoring. Your costs of licenses will likely pay for themselves within weeks.

 

 

Case study: Austria's rail traffic relies on PRTG

 

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Due to business-critical applications, it is of the utmost importance that the ÖBB Infrastruktur AG data network runs flawlessly at all times. To make this a reality, the management installed PRTG Network Monitor. PRTG is used for monitoring the bandwidth of central routers and switches in the network so administrators can determine the most important key parameters for utilization and availability. In total, monitoring the ÖBB data network consists of several thousand PRTG sensors that query relevant metrics at regular intervals.

See case study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video tutorial: PRTG bandwidth monitoring methods

Watch a quick overview of the bandwidth monitoring methods PRTG offers and discover which method is best suited for your IT infrastructure.

 

 

We'll make you a monitoring expert

Gain practical knowledge on how to monitor your infrastructure with Paessler PRTG. Our training sessions are planned and provided by Paessler system engineers and are suitable for different experience levels.

 

Book a spot

 

PRTG the multi-tool

PRTG: The multi-tool for sysadmins

Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:

  • HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
  • Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
  • Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
  • REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format

 

mathias hengl

Practical tip: “Hey Mathias, what would you tell administrators who wish to monitor their bandwidth?”

“Instead of trying to measure bandwidth by way of an extra, simulated load, you should have a look around for actions which do that anyway – and then monitor them. For example, when you perform backups, you often put great strain on the bandwidth and can thus easily recognize shortages or bottlenecks.”

Mathias Hengl, PRTG developer at Paessler

 

Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s partners

Partnering with innovative vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.

Martello

By integrating PRTG with Martello iQ, you can add a fast analytics layer to improve uptime, visualize your IT environment, and integrate all of your IT systems into a single pane of glass.

Read more

Plixer

Paessler and Plixer provide a complete solution adding flow and metadata analysis to a powerful network monitoring tool.

Read more

Siemon

Siemon and Paessler bring together intelligent building technology and advanced monitoring and make your vision of intelligent buildings and data centers become reality.

Read more

 

email course bandwidth monitoring

Free email course: You are still new to monitoring and
need a little support?

Paessler offers a free, multi-part email course that covers the 4 basic methods of bandwidth monitoring: SNMP, packet sniffing, flow, and WMI. Learn more about individual bandwidth monitoring processes and how they can help you improve bandwidth usage in your network.

Sign up here to our free email coaching and learn how you can put your resources to better use with the PRTG bandwidth meter.

 

Monitoring bandwidth: FAQ

 

What is bandwidth?

What is bandwidth monitoring?

Why should I monitor bandwidth with PRTG?

How does bandwidth testing work?

How can I test bandwidth with PRTG?

What is a sensor in PRTG?

 

Discover our preconfigured PRTG bandwidth monitoring sensors

Here are some examples of sensors that can be used for bandwidth monitoring with PRTG:

 

Packet Sniffer

SNMP General

NetFlow v9

NetFlow v5

IPFIX

jFlow

sFlow

SNMP Cisco ASA VPN Traffic

SNMP NetApp Network Interface

Windows Network Card

And more...

 

Still not convinced?

 

 

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More than 500,000
sysadmins love PRTG

Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier.

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Monitor your entire IT infrastructure

Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network.

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Try Paessler PRTG
for free

Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free.

 

Paessler PRTG

Start bandwidth monitoring with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.

 

 

 

PRTG

Network Monitoring Software - Version 25.1.102.1373 (January 9th, 2025)

Hosting

Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor available

Languages

English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese

Pricing

Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List)

Unified Monitoring

Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more

Supported Vendors & Applications

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