Monitoring an ADSL line

VirtualForce

VirtualForce

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Good day fellow humanoids!

I've got a little problem. I'v been appointed as a junior network admin, been working here for about 3months but I dont completely agree with how they have set things up and have spoken to them and they have agreed to purchase me a new PC near the end of the becuase money is a bit tight.

The scenario is this, we have a 4mb uncapped/unshapped ADSL line that is used for browsing internet, email and the most importantly, connecting to a remote desktop where the actual work (SAP business software) is done. The line is shared between about 70 people. I've also said that one line is not enough and they have applied for a second.
The ADSL modem is connected directly to the network switch to which all PC's are connected

My problem is, I would like to monitor the following on the line:
When it goes down
realtime upload speed
realtime download speed

I get called very often with queries like why is the line slow, is it down, up, etc and I have sounding like an idiot every time with "uhh, I'll have a look."
I'd like to be pro-active and be informed of the a possible or actual problem.

Is there any way that this can be done with a PC dedicated between the ADSL router and switch?
 
Spiceworks and this plugin can directly read the current download and upload speeds from many compatible routers. Otherwise some gateway setup with Squid and MRTG
 
My word. 70 people on a 4meg line?

Stop what you are doing right now. Tell your employers that 4meg is a stretch for 5 people all RDPing out at the same time. Get a neotel fiber connection. It will come with a semi-managed switch. From there you can run everyone through a linux PC to monitor up/down accurately. -i.e. Dont use the new money for a new PC, upgrade your con first.

http://www.neotel.co.za/wps/portal/...XydTQwNXE_2CbEdFALjRhWY!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=

Paying for a 4meg uncapped/unshaped is moerese expensive. A 10meg neotel line will cost about the same, and you are still unshaped, BUT you get 10meg up aswell. During non-office hours they open your line to 20meg too.

You want to impress your boss? Get the fiber first. Tell him the money is better spent that way. When everything is up and running, get your PC to do the linux thing.

That and you'll have your own private 20meg line after-hours and on the weekend :)
 
For speeds and uptime, I have used smokeping with both local and international websites and it was useful to answer those questions, plus it alerts you when the connection is slowing down or stopped completely. http://oss.oetiker.ch/smokeping/

Apart from, we will need more information about the network and the devices you are using. You could then use SNMP to monitor each switch and router.

Also, as fas as I know, there is no guarantees on ADSL, from both Telkom and ISPs. If they really want constant speeds and some guarantee of uptime, they would need to go to a more expensive route wth a dedicated line. So best to explain that to them from the get go and they know that when someone goes wrong on the network.
 
Only way would be to put in a PC inline with squid and report generation tool.
Look at pfsense ipcop untangle and smoothwall for ideas of full iso images to install
 
Best will be is that you install a firewall between the adsl modem and your switch. Best 2 I can suggest and is easy to setup is pfSense and Untangle. Both give you a realtime indicatation of line status and bandwidth consumption visually.
 
Thank you very much guys, wasnt expecting an answer to my reply so quick nevermind so many!

Helped this eager n00b plenty! Been given an awesome opportunity here and really want to give it all.

Will work through the above informantion
 
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