Stop, reduce, or pause downloads during web browsing

[pcslookout]

Is there anyway possible to have a router or any program out there that will completely stop, reduce or pause downloads when someone starts surfing the web. Either that be me or someone else on the home network. Not doing this just for the whole network but myself too.

Like lets say for example I am downloading Firefox or something else that is a lot bigger. I go to surf the web while waiting. Could that download of Firefox or whatever it is let go as much bandwidth so web surfing speed is never noticeable slower? It would be nice if it would completely pause the download every time you are surfing the web. Unless that would be to picky and just have the download start and stop constantly sense most internet connections always have data happening even if it is only a little.

I know there is QoS but it doesn't seem to do this. At least not stop, reduce (a lot like almost the whole connection), or pause downloads even if they are the lowest priority.

 

[Nothinman]

Not that I'm aware of, mostly because all web requests look very similar. How can the router know if the HTTP traffic is you downloading something or just browsing? I suppose it could be done with some half-decent guesses based upon file extensions, mime-types, etc but it would still just be guesses. It would function best as an add-on for the browser you're using since obviously it can tell the difference.

 

[Gryz]

The main problem is that if you want to slow down traffic, that should be done on the router of your ISP, on the other side of your DSL or cable connection. And customers usually have no access to that device. It is a problem that is serious enough for customers to be interested in. But the industry/vendors/isps don't seem to care much.

 

[Wallywest]

This isn't exactly what you are looking for but for your own PC, Free Download Manager has an option that switches to one of 3 user-defined traffic usage modes once it detects web browser activity. You can set it up to intercept file downloads (you'd have to use supported browsers or let it monitor the clipboard) so that it'll work the way you want it to.

As for prioritizing web browsing over file downloads, can't it be done via QoS settings of the router?

 

[Nothinman]

As for prioritizing web browsing over file downloads, can't it be done via QoS settings of the router?

How can the router tell the difference between an HTTP GET request to a script that generates a normal page or one that generates an ISO you're downloading?

 

[ImDonly1]

Is there anyway possible to have a router or any program out there that will completely stop, reduce or pause downloads when someone starts surfing the web. Either that be me or someone else on the home network. Not doing this just for the whole network but myself too.

Like lets say for example I am downloading Firefox or something else that is a lot bigger. I go to surf the web while waiting. Could that download of Firefox or whatever it is let go as much bandwidth so web surfing speed is never noticeable slower? It would be nice if it would completely pause the download every time you are surfing the web. Unless that would be to picky and just have the download start and stop constantly sense most internet connections always have data happening even if it is only a little.

I know there is QoS but it doesn't seem to do this. At least not stop, reduce (a lot like almost the whole connection), or pause downloads even if they are the lowest priority.

Dno about a whole house feature, but there are plugins for firefox that can limit download speed. Not sure if they will do it automatically or not though.

 

[JackMDS]

Web surfing usage of bandwidth is so low as compare to downloading it hardly slows down when downloading.

If there is a slow down that means that the bandwidth of the connection is too low.

Option 1. Get a faster Internet connection.

Option 2. Depending on the computer Internet application that are used, this software can help.

http://www.netlimiter.com/

Option 3. Download with one computer, and surf with another. If needed QOS can be set for the downloading computer to curb Bandwidth use on it.

This is done by limiting the Bandwidth in a QOS capable Router using the IP of the downloading computer.