NetWorx — Simple Tool for Watching Bandwidth
General Information
NetWorx is a small utility that shows how much network traffic a machine is using. It doesn’t try to be a big monitoring suite — instead, it focuses on the basics: keep an eye on upload and download speeds, log usage, and warn when something looks unusual. Many admins keep it around for quick checks on workstations, or for users who need to track internet quotas.
How It Works
After installation, NetWorx attaches to the network adapter and measures traffic in real time. It can display live graphs on the desktop, keep daily or monthly totals, and export logs when needed. Alerts are simple but useful: set a bandwidth limit and the tool notifies you when it’s crossed. It works with wired and wireless adapters, and on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What It Offers
Feature | Purpose |
Live monitoring | Shows upload/download speed instantly. |
Usage history | Daily, weekly, monthly reports of consumed traffic. |
Alerts | Notifications when set thresholds are exceeded. |
Graphs | Simple visuals to spot spikes or drops. |
Cross-platform | Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. |
Export options | Save logs for later analysis. |
Installation Guide
– Windows/macOS: download the installer from the official site, run setup, and choose which adapters to monitor at the first launch.
– Linux: packages are provided for major distros, or you can compile from source. After install, start NetWorx from the system menu and select the adapter.
Real-World Use
NetWorx shines in small setups. Admins often use it on a single PC to catch unexpected background traffic, confirm if a user really hit the ISP cap, or check at what times the connection is most loaded. In some offices, it’s installed on just a few machines that need close watching, instead of deploying a full monitoring system.
Drawbacks
The tool only tracks traffic on the host where it’s installed. It doesn’t see the rest of the network or give you a full LAN picture. For centralized views and more advanced analytics, admins usually move to systems like PRTG, Zabbix, or flow-based tools.
Comparison
Tool | Platforms | Strengths | Best Fit |
NetWorx | Windows/macOS/Linux | Lightweight, easy to use, per-device stats | Individual PCs, small offices |
PRTG Free | Windows | Monitors multiple devices, alerting | Small networks needing central monitoring |
ntopng | Linux | Flow-based analysis, deeper traffic insights | Routers, gateways, larger LANs |