When it comes to managing networks in companies, unbalanced internet consumption among departments can lead to noticeable performance slowdowns, disrupting daily operations and impacting productivity. For example, the marketing department might consume significant bandwidth during digital advertising campaigns, while the technical support department struggles with slow response times to customers due to limited resources. This disparity creates network bottlenecks, increases operational costs, and may lead to lost business opportunities.
In this article, we will explore how to use Ruijie switches to monitor internet consumption through practical steps.
The Importance of Monitoring Internet Consumption for Each Department
Monitoring internet consumption for each department provides clear visibility into how resources are utilized, preventing network congestion. In telecommunications companies, where departments handle massive amounts of data, excessive consumption by one department can delay customer responses in another. For instance, if the technical support department consumes 40% of the bandwidth due to large file downloads, it impacts video conferencing sessions in the sales department.
Additionally, this monitoring helps optimize costs. Instead of purchasing additional internet lines, bandwidth can be redistributed based on actual needs, saving thousands of dollars annually. It also enhances security by detecting abnormal activities, such as unauthorized downloads, which may indicate potential security issues.
Regular monitoring boosts productivity, as management can allocate network budgets based on real data, making operations more efficient and reducing daily complaints about speed.
How to Segment the Network into Departments Using VLANs
Segmenting the network using VLANs is the first step to isolating each department’s consumption. In Ruijie switches, such as the RG-ES208GC model, VLANs can be created with a single click through the cloud interface, assigning ports 1 to 8 to the sales department on VLAN 10, and ports 9 to 16 to the administration department on VLAN 20. This isolation prevents unnecessary data flow, reducing congestion in large networks.
To implement this, connect the devices in each department to dedicated ports, then enable trunking to link different switches. The RG-ES208GC model supports 802.1Q for VLANs, allowing segmentation to extend to dozens of departments without sacrificing speed. After setup, test connectivity by sending data packets between departments to ensure no interference occurs.
This segmentation is not limited to geographic separation; it can also be used to isolate guests from main departments, protecting the internal network.
The Role of Ruijie Switches in Monitoring Consumption
Ruijie switches are the optimal choice for monitoring internet consumption in medium and large networks, thanks to their smart cloud management, which enables remote access without the need for additional software. The RG-ES208GC model, for example, features 8 gigabit ports and provides consumption monitoring through a single port, with support for automatic detection of IP cameras, making it ideal for telecommunications departments reliant on video.
In these switches, monitoring is enabled through the Ruijie Cloud app, displaying consumption in daily or weekly graphs for each port. They also support automatic Loop Prevention, which prevents loops that could amplify consumption. For the RG-ES210GC-P model, which supports PoE+ on 8 ports, both power and data consumption can be monitored, providing a comprehensive view of efficiency.
Steps to Set Up Ruijie Switches for Consumption Monitoring
Start by connecting the switch to the main network via the internet port, then log into the Ruijie Cloud account using the default IP address 192.168.110.1. In the interface, navigate to the “Port Management” section and enable SNMP v3 for security, setting read communities for the ports assigned to each department.
In the RG-ES208GC model, create VLANs as mentioned earlier, then enable the Traffic Statistics feature to record bytes for each port. For the finance department, for example, select port 5 and enable Rate Limiting to cap consumption at 100 Mbps. Then, link the switch to the mobile app to receive instant notifications when limits are exceeded.
Test the setup by running a ping tool from a device in each department and monitor the consumption increase via the cloud dashboard. If an issue arises, use the built-in Cable Diagnostics tool to check cables, ensuring accurate readings. These steps take less than an hour and provide continuous monitoring without manual intervention.
Top Ruijie Switch Models for Consumption Monitoring
Among Ruijie switch models, the RG-ES208GC stands out as a basic option for small networks, with 8 gigabit ports and power consumption below 4 watts, making it ideal for space-constrained departments. It supports cloud management and provides accurate consumption statistics per port, with automatic device recognition.
For larger networks, choose the RG-ES216GC, which offers 16 ports and PoE support, enabling consumption monitoring while powering devices like cameras. With a switching capacity of 32 Gbps, it handles high traffic flows and supports QoS for prioritizing sensitive traffic.
The RG-ES210GC-P model, with 8 PoE+ ports and a 120-watt power budget, is ideal for telecommunications departments needing to monitor both power and internet usage. It supports NetFlow for exporting data to external tools, enhancing analysis. All these models comply with IEEE 802.3az energy-saving standards and come with a lifetime warranty.
RG-ES205GC-P Model: The Smart Solution for Small Departments
The RG-ES205GC-P model is one of the best Ruijie switches for departments with moderate usage, featuring 5 gigabit ports, 4 of which support PoE with up to 65 watts. This model supports cloud management via Ruijie Cloud, enabling individual port consumption tracking. For example, it can detect that a device in the HR department consumes 2 GB daily through the web interface, with support for VLANs to segment departments. Its switching capacity is 10 Gbps, with a forwarding rate of 7.44 million packets per second, ensuring smooth performance even under high pressure. Its power consumption is low at 4.5 watts, making it ideal for companies focused on sustainability.
RG-ES208GC Model: Balancing Cost and Performance
For medium-sized departments, the RG-ES208GC switch stands out with 8 gigabit ports. It enables consumption monitoring via SNMP, recording traffic for each department, such as identifying that the marketing department consumes 15% more than average due to advertising campaigns. Cloud management is free for life, with a switching capacity of 16 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 11.9 million packets per second. It supports automatic IP camera recognition, making it suitable for security departments, and reduces setup time by 50% compared to traditional models.
RG-ES218GC-P Model: For Large Networks and Advanced Monitoring
The RG-ES218GC-P excels with 18 gigabit ports, 16 of which support PoE with a 240-watt power budget, covering multiple devices without additional power sources. It supports NetFlow for detailed consumption analysis, allowing separation of production department data from administration and identifying consumption from unregulated software updates. Its switching capacity is 36 Gbps, with a forwarding rate of 26.78 million packets per second, and it supports QoS for prioritizing VoIP traffic in the support department. Cloud management enables remote monitoring, saving IT teams hours daily.
Reyee RG-ES206GC-P Model: The Cost-Effective Starting Option
For startups or small departments, the RG-ES206GC-P offers 6 gigabit ports, with 4 supporting PoE to power devices like IP cameras or VoIP phones, and advanced SNMP support for precise internet consumption monitoring. It enables traffic logging per port to identify devices with excessive data usage.
Conclusion
Start today by installing Ruijie switches in your server room, segmenting ports, and enabling cloud monitoring. Within a week, you’ll have sufficient data for an initial analysis.
Modn offers advanced solutions through Ruijie switches to achieve an efficient and cost-effective network, ensuring the highest performance levels. Contact us now to implement these solutions and enhance your network management!
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