What counts towards our bandwidth usage?

SignLine · Aug 01, 2014, 11:35:07

I'm trying to identify what is using up our bandwith download allowance of 100GB.

We've had quite a bit, at times, off peak, but we are all asleep then, I had 33GB in May off peak and have no idea what did that, 19GB in June, not so much in other months.

I was leaving one pc on but now I don't do that to try and rule it out.

Peak, well I guess emails, YouTube, does Sky GO count?, windows updates, what else?

I hadn't really counted YouTube before as using download bandwidth but have seen it listed on a search of what counts, and the kids are always on there, mainly looking at junk like Mindless (Minecraft)

100GB doesn't seem enough, I use a single connection for my business and house, and the house has various tablets, Xboxs, pc's so I may be stretching it a bit, I get the odd bill for going over our allowance but still cheaper than having 2 separate connections as I used to have, although if I could work out what is downloading off peak I should be well within my allowance.

I have seen there is software like http://www.softperfect.com/products/networx/manual/ where you can monitor more closely when downloads are happening etc, any other idea's? Maybe my router will show all that info. too.

Bill · Aug 01, 2014, 11:51:18

Everything counts that comes to your IP address, even ping packets and DOS attacks.

Any sort of video is a bandwidth eater, especially if it's HD.

If you log in to your account, Broadband heading, "View Details", at the bottom there's an RSS link you can subscribe to for daily usage reports, and if it's the one I think it is, it also gives provisional figures on an hourly basis. Might be useful.

Lance · Aug 01, 2014, 12:18:04

As Bill has said, anything coming down your line counts, whatever device it is being delivered to including Sky boxes (Sky on Demand etc).

With IDNet, however, uploads (eg uploading to Youtube etc) aren't counted.

Simon · Aug 01, 2014, 12:45:52

Anything left on overnight could be downloading updates, etc, and they could add up.

SignLine · Aug 01, 2014, 13:25:04

Thanks for the input.

I did ask idnet about Sky on demand but they said they hadn't heard of Sky updating overnight, well I asked if all the on demand programs that were ready to play were downloaded overnight and if that was adding lots of GB's, there is some on demand that has to download first when you click on it to watch so that would count as downloading but I guess on demand that is there already and ready to play doesn't count.

I'll have to keep an eye on things, things like YouTube I didn't even consider thinking you are just watching something playing on their website but now I guess it's actually downloading it for you to view on your pc.

Idnet have been great as usual offering stats and help with this.

Thanks again.

Bill · Aug 01, 2014, 13:32:47

Quote from: SignLine on Aug 01, 2014, 13:25:04but I guess on demand that is there already and ready to play doesn't count.

Yes it does.

If it's come through your router, to any device on your network, on HDD or in memory, then it's been downloaded and it counts towards your usage.

Lona · Aug 01, 2014, 15:27:10

I don't have sky on demand for that reason. Sky however are still able to update the sky box without using internet connection.

SignLine · Aug 01, 2014, 18:01:00

Posted by: Bill
« on: Today at 13:32:47 »

Insert Quote

Quote from: SignLine on Today at 13:25:04

but I guess on demand that is there already and ready to play doesn't count.

Yes it does.

If it's come through your router, to any device on your network, on HDD or in memory, then it's been downloaded and it counts towards your usage.

Sorry, I meant programs that would of been available on demand without my Sky box even being connected to the internet, since connecting it I get programs in on demand that are ready to play straight away and then some that I have to download first so I think I'm right in thinking that the ready to play ones don't count/aren't donwloaded.

Technical Ben · Aug 01, 2014, 18:24:08

Quote from: SignLine on Aug 01, 2014, 13:25:04
Thanks for the input.

I did ask idnet about Sky on demand but they said they hadn't heard of Sky updating overnight, well I asked if all the on demand programs that were ready to play were downloaded overnight and if that was adding lots of GB's, there is some on demand that has to download first when you click on it to watch so that would count as downloading but I guess on demand that is there already and ready to play doesn't count.

I'll have to keep an eye on things, things like YouTube I didn't even consider thinking you are just watching something playing on their website but now I guess it's actually downloading it for you to view on your pc.

Idnet have been great as usual offering stats and help with this.

Thanks again.

From what I was told, Sky boxes now "cache" the content on the box. This means they download additional shows/films that they think you may watch or buy later on or may watch on cachup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Demand_%28Sky%29 and general http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_on_demand#Push_video_on_demand

There is "pull" where the box requests shows and "push" where it is sent to the box. Pull uses the internet, and Push uses the dish (As far as I can tell). It can record straight off the Dish, which will not use up your internet. Or it will download if it's not being/been broadcast.

You can see if it is the Sky Box quite easily with IDNets new bandwidth monitor. It will give you an hourly breakdown. So if it's over night downloads when the PC is turned off and only the Sky Box is on, it will be easy to see. If it's only when the PC is on, then it may be updates (these soon stack up), or something else astray...