Set Agent network bandwidth limits

If administrative policy allows, you can limit (throttle) the amount of network bandwidth that Agents use to upload and download files between your computer and Connected. By throttling the Agent's bandwidth through preference settings, you automatically allocate more bandwidth to other network activities on the computer and make the Agent less intrusive while it uploads and downloads files.

Throttling the Agent's bandwidth can be helpful when connected to a network connection with slower than normal network speeds, such as when connected to a public network at a hotel or airport. However, the more you throttle bandwidth, the longer it takes the Agent to transfer files.

Here are a few guidelines to consider when throttling Agent bandwidth:

  • You can throttle the bandwidth for Agent uploads and downloads independently.

    Upload bandwidth throttling affects how quickly the Agent backs up files. Download bandwidth throttling affects how quickly the Agent restores files from Connected.

  • Set appropriate limits for your network.

    The Agent does not check your network’s actual available bandwidth against the bandwidth throttling limits that you set. If you set maximum bandwidth limits that exceed your network’s actual data transfer speed, then the bandwidth throttling will be insufficient to reduce Agent network intrusiveness.

  • Throttling the bandwidth of Agents reduces their network intrusiveness while uploading or downloading files; however, it takes them more time to complete the upload or download process.

    The table below shows a few examples of the estimated time that it takes Agents to upload or download files when you throttle bandwidth. The estimated time varies depending on the following:

    • The bandwidth allocated to the Agent
    • The total size of the files to upload or download (after Agent optimization and compression)
    Bandwidth allocated to Agent Total amount of data to upload or download Estimated time to complete
    2048 Kbps 500 MB 0.6 hours
      1 GB 1.1 hours
      3 GB 3.3 hours
      15 GB 16.7 hours
    1024 Kbps 500 MB 1.1 hours
      1 GB 2.3 hours
      3 GB 6.8 hours
      15 GB 34.1 hours
    500 Kbps 500 MB 2.3 hours
      1 GB 4.7 hours
      3 GB 13 hours
      15 GB 2.9 days
    200 Kbps 500 MB 5.7 hours
      1 GB 11.7 hours
      3 GB 35 hours
      15 GB 7.3 days

To set Agent network bandwith limits

  1. Access the Agent's preference settings.

    Right-click the Connected icon (green square with the white letters "CMX") in the Windows notification area (for macOS, click the icon in the menu bar), and then click Preferences.

  2. Click the Network tab.

  3. Under Bandwidth, set the following:

    • Upload Rate. Maximum network bandwidth that the Agent uses to backup files to Connected.

    • Download Rate. Maximum network bandwidth that the Agent uses to download files from Connected.

    To set a limit, click Limit to, and then enter the maximum amount of bandwidth, in kilobits per second (Kbps), to allow. The lowest rate that you can specify is 10 Kbps. If your Connected administrator has set a limit, you cannot exceed it.

    TIP: To return both settings to the maximum limits set by policy, click Restore Defaults.

  4. On Windows-based computers, click OK.