How To Guide
How to Manage Bandwidth for Multiple Users
When multiple users share an internet connection, one person's large download or video stream can slow everyone else down. Bandwidth management ensures critical business applications always have the speed they need.
Overview
Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router or firewall prioritise important traffic (like VoIP calls and video conferencing) over less critical traffic (like software updates and social media). Without QoS, all traffic is treated equally, and whoever uses the most wins.
Step 1: Configure Quality of Service
Set traffic priorities on your network equipment.
1
Access Router QoS Settings
- Log into your router or firewall admin panel
- Navigate to QoS, Traffic Management, or Bandwidth Control (varies by manufacturer)
- Enable QoS (it is disabled by default on most equipment)
- Set your total upload and download bandwidth to slightly below your actual speed (e.g., 90%)
- Setting slightly below actual prevents the connection from becoming fully saturated
- Full saturation causes latency spikes that affect all traffic including high-priority
2
Define Priority Levels
- Highest priority (guaranteed bandwidth): VoIP phone calls, video conferencing (Teams, Zoom)
- High priority: Business-critical applications — CRM, ERP, email, cloud file access
- Normal priority: General web browsing and internet access
- Low priority: Software updates, cloud backups, large downloads
- Lowest/Blocked: Social media streaming, gaming, torrents (during business hours)
- Apply rules by application, port number, destination IP, or source device
3
Implementation Methods
- Port-based QoS: Prioritise by port numbers (5060-5061 for SIP/VoIP, 443 for HTTPS)
- Application-based QoS: Identify and prioritise specific applications (requires DPI-capable firewall)
- Device-based QoS: Give priority to specific devices like VoIP phones and executive workstations
- DSCP marking: Tag packets at the source for consistent QoS across network hops
- Bandwidth reservation: Reserve minimum bandwidth for critical services
- Bandwidth limits: Cap maximum bandwidth for non-essential services
4
Test and Verify
- Run speed tests while QoS is active to verify priority is working
- Test a VoIP call while someone else downloads a large file — call quality should remain clear
- Use tools like PingPlotter to monitor latency and jitter during peak usage
- Compare before and after QoS: measure VoIP quality, video call stability
- Adjust priorities based on real-world testing results
- Re-test after any network changes or bandwidth upgrades
Step 2: Monitor Bandwidth Usage
Identify who and what is consuming your bandwidth.
1
Track Usage Per Device
- Use router statistics to see bandwidth consumption per device
- Tools like PRTG, GlassWire, or ntopng provide detailed breakdowns
- Identify bandwidth hogs: Which devices or users consume the most?
- Monitor by time of day to find peak usage periods
- Track trends over weeks to predict when upgrades will be needed
- Watch for unexpected bandwidth consumers (possible malware or unauthorised devices)
2
Schedule Heavy Tasks
- Set Windows Update group policies to download during off-peak hours (e.g., 10pm-6am)
- Schedule cloud backups for overnight or early morning
- Defer large software deployments to outside business hours
- Use WSUS or Intune to control when updates are distributed
- Schedule antivirus definition updates for non-peak times
- Stagger large cloud sync operations across the team
Step 3: Create a Fair Usage Policy
Set clear expectations with your team.
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Policy Contents
- Define acceptable use of business internet during work hours
- Specify any sites or services that are restricted or blocked
- Clarify guidelines for personal internet use (if permitted)
- Explain the reasoning: fair bandwidth ensures productive work for everyone
- Include consequences for excessive personal use during business hours
- Note that internet usage may be monitored for network management purposes
2
Communicate and Enforce
- Share the policy during onboarding and annually at review time
- Post a summary in common areas or on the intranet
- Enforce consistently — rules applied unevenly create resentment
- Address bandwidth abuse privately and constructively first
- Provide alternatives: personal 4G/5G for streaming and personal use
- Review and update the policy annually as business needs and tools change
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