Using a Linux box as a router, limiting bandwidth usage

[Yohhan]

Is there any software available for Linux systems that is capable of limiting bandwidth usage through certain eth interfaces? If not, how could I go about setting up bandwidth quotas on my network?

 

[n0cmonkey]

IPTables should be able to do it.

 

[drag]

Depends on what you want to accomplish. What sort of level of control you want.

Linux has ability to do everything from simple home nat-style routers all the way up to industrial strength previously-only-realy-expensive-networking capabilities such as large LAN active routing (like the expensive Cisco-style routers) and even internet routing capabilities.

here is one example of a way of attack. Using Squid proxy to give priority to web traffic over file sharing type stuff, and other ways to limit bandwidth like using linux traffic shaping thru CBQ.

here is the advanced linux networking and routing howto, check out the cookbook section it has some examples of limiting bandwidth for different purposes.

I am sure also that nicer linux router targeted distros will provide easy-to-use frontends for manipulating these various tools and such.

 

[gaidin123]

The LARTC.org howto is probably what you want. Using iptables and the iproute2 package (ip, tc) you will have the ability to create tons of queues and parent/child relationships to shape the traffic on your LAN. The syntax is a bit confusing at first but simply using the "wondershaper" script that is included with the howto is pretty functional for most people.

Gaidin