How to figure out the bandwidth?

[ohforce55]

Hi,

Without logging into devices (routers and switches), how should I find out the bandwidth (download and upload speed) by just using a laptop with a wired cable?

I heard there is a tool or application to find it out not only bandwidth but duplex and other things..

This is also to verify the speed after upgrading the bandwidth for circuit.

I will very appreciate if you can answer the question.

Thank you in advance!

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

If you have any management software like SolarWinds NPM (you can download a free trial version) you can see the speed, duplex, etc..

What are you trying to do?

Are you trying to figure out if the ISP is providing you the right bandwidth?

HTH

[Julio E. Moisa]

Hi

As Reza mentioned, you can use Solarwinds and configure Netflow on your Layer 3 devices, I think there are other Netflow softwares like PRTG.

[ohforce55]

Hi Julio,

Thank you for your reply. That is something must be configured in order to see the bandwidth. I wanted to know was that if someone from outside the company would like to see without logging in any devices, is there any way to see the bandwidth information?

[Julio E. Moisa]

Yes, if someone want to see the bandwidth utilization not directly from the devices instead going to a centralized server how will be displaying the graphics and parameters per interface. 

Also if I'm not wrong Wireshark can display the bandwidth traffic. 

[ohforce55]

Hi Julio,

Thanks for your reply again!

I'm not sure what you mean... Would you please explain in more detail?

How can you see that thru wireshark?

I have another question. This is a question related with design.

How can you decide the bandwidth from end point to access layer? For instance, from PC to switch (access), how can you decide the bandwidth from scratch?

Or how can you decide the bandwidth from ISP to Core switch?

Thank you in advance!

[Julio E. Moisa]

Hi

This link could be useful for Wireshark.

http://blog.davidvassallo.me/2010/03/22/measuring-bandwidth-using-wireshark/

About the second question, you can prioritize the bandwidth using QoS, usually the default Traffic is known as best effor or CS0, it can include web traffic. Im not sure if you are using VoIP on your network, because you could assign more bandwidth into the network for this kind of traffic. 

The following links could be useful: 

https://www.howtogeek.com/75660/the-beginners-guide-to-qos-on-your-router/

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/quality-of-service-qos/qos-packet-marking/10100-priorityvsbw.html

http://packetlife.net/blog/2008/jul/30/policing-versus-shaping/

[ohforce55]

Hi Julio,

I always appreciate for your help. :)

Thank you for the links provided.

I'm sorry but am not still clear about my original question. 

"Yes, if someone want to see the bandwidth utilization not directly from the devices instead going to a centralized server how will be displaying the graphics and parameters per interface. "

Thank you!

[ohforce55]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I'm trying to figure out if the ISP provided me the right bandwidth.

But SolarWinds is something that I have to login in order to find it out.

Is it possible to look at the info thru wireshark?

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

Wireshark is not a tool for that purpose. If this is an ISP upgrade, you can simply ask the ISP to run a test on your circuit and give you the results.  They do RFC based bandwidth test and provide you the speed, duplex, etc...

HTH

[ohforce55]

Thank you.