Configuring MZL & Novatech TrafficStatistic

While TrafficStatistic isn't the most full-featured solution available, it is very easy to get running. TrafficStatistic collects its information from network sniffing only, so you will need to place the host that is running TrafficStatistic in a location where it can see the network traffic you want to report on. Follow these steps to get TrafficStatistic running on an appropriately located host.

1. Download and run the installation file from www.trafficstatistic.com.
2. During the setup, take note of the HTTPSrv Service port (Default 7777) and the RunCPM Service Port (7778), altering them if desired. Other than that, you can simply accept the defaults.
3. When the setup completes, allow it to Start the IP capture service, HTTP server service, and run the GUI monitor.
4. If you have more than one network adapter listed in the Adapters pane, you will need to right-click the adapter you wish to collect data from and select Configuration.
5. Ensure that Listen is checked and click OK.You have the option of specifying billing periods at this time as well.These are targeted for ISPs and other providers who need statistics for certain billing periods to charge back to customers, but you could also configure them for your own reporting purposes. By default, the billing period will be from the current date with no end date.
6. After you click OK you will be prompted to verify your adapter selection. Click Yes to confirm your choice.

You should now be collecting data on the selected interface.The window should show several links in its default state. Click Create report, and then select Usage Development. In the next window, select the network interface you want to report on, and then click OK.The resultant report is shown.

If you are reporting on addresses that are not "private" addresses as defined in RFC1918, you might find you aren't really interested in traffic that is local to your network, and a top-talker list that is not using Internet bandwidth may not be useful. In this case you have the capability to define the local address and tell TrafficStatistic not to use them in the reports it generates.This list doesn't truly have to be "local," but it does enable you to configure TrafficStatistic to not report on certain addresses.This could be handy if there are certain hosts that are high traffic as part of normal behavior and you want to exclude them from the reports altogether.To configure the list of local addresses and exclude them from the reports, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that you have the proper network interface selected in the Adapters pane.
2. Right-click the adapter and select Configuration.
3. Check the box labeled Exclude traffic between local addresses.
4. Click the button labeled Edit LAL (which stands fro local address list).
5. Click the Add Host, Add Range, or Add Net button and enter the appropriate information.
6. When finished, click OK and OK again to completely finalize your changes.

Note that these changes will not retroactively affect current data that has been collected.

The business model that is used by the makers of the MZL & Novatech TrafficStatistic is to provide the basic monitor for free. If you want additional functionality, you can buy add-on plug-ins.The price of plug-ins varies greatly.The "Multi Optional Report" plug-in provides more-granular bandwidth reports that enable you to actually drill down and see what ports a particular host was using to generate the network traffic; it costs 50 Euro (approximately $66). If MZL & Novatech TrafficStatistic provides adequate reporting for your needs, and you have a spare machine you can place appropriately to sniff the network traffic, this might be a good fit.