Read this article to learn more about controlling and monitoring Internet traffic on a router, and also, how to control bandwidth in a Wi-Fi router, with the example of a TP-Link device. We will consider ways of limiting traffic available to all devices or for a particular gadget.
Quite often, people face the need to limit the speed of Internet connection that the router is broadcasting. In this article, I will give a detailed explanation of how to limit Internet connection speed, with the example of a TP-LINK TL-WR841N router. We will have a look at two possible scenarios: limiting connection speed for all devices, and doing it for a particular device or a group of gadgets. For example, for several computers, a smartphone, tablet PC etc.
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Bandwidth Control
Before you start configuring bandwidth for your router, it is necessary to enable the traffic control function, and set the speed of incoming and outgoing connection offered by your Internet service provider.
To do it:
Go to the router settings. In one of the previous articles on basic router configuration, I have already described this step in detail.
In the router settings, go to the tab Bandwidth Control and check the box next to Enable Bandwidth Control.
Set the Egress Bandwidth and Ingress Bandwidth. This is the speed your ISP gives you. For example, when you are provided with 100 Mbps for download and upload, you should convert this value from megabytes per second to kilobytes per second (Kbps) and type the result into the corresponding fields. It’s very easy: 100 Mbps multiplied by 1,024 Kbps = 102,400 Kbps. This is the data you should enter into the fields.
Click Save to confirm the settings.
Now you should configure the bandwidth limitations. As I said, we will find out how to configure limiting settings for all devices connected to the router, and how to limit connection for certain devices only.
Limiting the Wi-Fi Data Transmission Speed
To limit Wi-Fi network speed for all devices:
Go to the router settings. Go to the tab DHCP to see the range of IP addresses specified there. Look for Start IP Address and End IP address. Copy or remember them.
After that, switch to the tab Bandwidth Control. This is where you should create a new bandwidth control rule. Do it by clicking on the Add New button.
Check the Enable box. Specify the range of IP addresses (which you saw in the DHCP tab) in the corresponding field.
The Port Range field should be blank.
Protocol – choose ALL.
Set Priority if available. The default value is 5, so you may leave it as it is.
Set the maximal Egress Bandwidth and Ingress Bandwidth. The minimal value (usually, the minimal permissible value is used) is 1. The maximal – which I choose – is 10 Mbps. That is, 10 240 Kbps.
I will use the same values for the Ingress Bandwidth. This is the speed at which the device will receive data from the Internet. You may set a higher or lower value.
Save the rule.
Now the rule you have created in the bandwidth control settings will be applied to ALL devices that ever connect to your router. That is, the speed of incoming and outgoing connection will be limited to 10 megabytes per second.
Limiting the Internet Connection Speed for Particular Devices
This method is more complicated. However, in the router settings you can configure maximal permitted speed for every device. These settings should be bound by IP address.
That is why start by binding the IP address (assigned by the router) to the MAC address of the device for which you would like to set a speed limit. It is required to ensure that a certain device always receives the same IP address – for which you will set certain bandwidth limitations.
How to bind an IP address to the MAC address of a device?
To bind an IP address to the MAC address of the device you should go to the router settings (the tab DHCP / DHCP Client List.
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