Control Network Traffic with Your Router

TL;DR

Yes, most routers allow you to control network traffic and bandwidth usage. This guide shows you how to prioritise devices or applications, limit download/upload speeds, and block unwanted access.

1. Access Your Router’s Settings

First, you need to log in to your router’s administration interface. This is usually done through a web browser.

• Find the IP Address: Typically, it’s 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Check your router’s manual if you are unsure. You can also find it on Windows by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig; look for the ‘Default Gateway’. On macOS, open Terminal and type netstat -rn | grep default.
• Login: Enter the IP address into your browser’s address bar. You’ll be prompted for a username and password. The defaults are often ‘admin’/‘password’, ‘admin’/blank, or printed on the router itself.

2. Quality of Service (QoS) Configuration

QoS is the most common way to control traffic. It lets you prioritise certain types of network activity.

• Locate QoS Settings: The location varies by router brand, but look for sections labelled ‘QoS’, ‘Traffic Shaping’, or ‘Bandwidth Control’.
• Prioritise Devices: Most routers allow you to assign priority levels (High, Medium, Low) to connected devices based on their MAC address or IP address. Give higher priority to devices used for streaming, gaming, or video conferencing.
• Prioritise Applications: Some routers can identify and prioritise specific applications like Skype, Netflix, or online games.

Example (may vary):

Device MAC Address: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E Priority: High

3. Bandwidth Limiting

You can restrict the maximum download and upload speeds for individual devices or applications.

• Find Bandwidth Control Settings: Look within the QoS section, or a separate ‘Bandwidth Control’ area.
• Set Limits: Enter the desired download/upload limits in kilobits per second (kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps). Be careful not to set these too low, as it can affect performance.

Example:

Device IP Address: 192.168.1.10 Download Limit: 5 Mbps Upload Limit: 1 Mbps

4. Parental Controls & Access Restrictions

These features can block access to specific websites or content categories.

• Locate Parental Control Settings: Look for sections labelled ‘Parental Controls’, ‘Access Control’, or ‘Website Filtering’.
• Block Websites: Enter the URLs of websites you want to block. Some routers offer pre-defined lists of blocked content (e.g., social media, gambling).
• Schedule Access: You can restrict internet access during certain times of day.

5. Firewall Settings

Your router’s firewall protects your network from unauthorized access.

• Check Firewall Status: Ensure the firewall is enabled. Most routers have it on by default.
• Port Forwarding (Advanced): If you need to allow specific applications or services to receive incoming connections, you may need to configure port forwarding. Be cautious when using this feature, as it can create security vulnerabilities if not done correctly.

6. Save and Reboot

After making any changes, remember to save your settings and reboot your router for the changes to take effect.

• Save Settings: Look for a ‘Save’, ‘Apply’, or ‘Submit’ button.
• Reboot Router: Most routers have a ‘Reboot’ option in the administration interface.