Network utilization shows how much of your network’s capacity is in use and helps spot issues before they escalate. Poor utilization often leads to slow or dropped connections, especially when everyone’s trying to hit those end-of-quarter deadlines.

Pushing your network to the max can bring everything to a crawl, causing frustration and delays. Monitoring network usage helps identify problem areas early and fix them before chaos hits.

We’ll provide tips for boosting your network efficiency as we cover:

• The importance of network utilization
• How to monitor and increase network utilization
• Ways to improve network utilization
• Common challenges in monitoring and improving network utilization
• Optimizing network performance with Meter

What makes network utilization important?

Network utilization helps keep your connections fast and minimizes your costs. Networks often perform best when utilization is between 30% and 70% of capacity. Going above 70% can lead to congestion and slower speeds; while staying under 30% may mean you’re not using your resources well.

To help track utilization, you can use:

• Software tools
• Third-party apps
• Modern routers and switches

Monitoring helps find bottlenecks, control costs, and plan for future needs to keep performance consistent.

How to monitor network utilization

Keeping network utilization in check and learning how to monitor network traffic is important to avoid slowdowns and maintain reliable performance. Focusing on the right KPIs, using effective tools, and keeping an eye on data is the way to go.

Identify key KPIs

Tracking the right KPIs makes managing network health easier. Here’s what to keep an eye on:

• Bandwidth usage:
  • Tells you how much data is zipping through your network.
  • High usage can hint at congestion waiting to happen.
• Packet loss:
  • Measures the packets that never make it to their destination.
  • If this starts climbing, it’s like your network saying, “We’ve got a problem.”
• Latency:
  • Shows how long it takes data to go from point A to point B.some text
    • If latency spikes, it’s time to consider network congestion or maybe dust off that old hardware.
• Jitter:
  • Measures how consistently packets arrive.
  • High jitter is a nightmare for real-time activities, making video calls sound like a bad robot concert.

Establish baselines and monitor regularly

Baseline metrics matter. Setting them during normal operation means you’ll spot when the network’s acting up. These numbers should be revisited and adjusted as the network changes. Think of them as your “before” picture to help diagnose the “after.” Routine monitoring helps you catch little issues before they become big problems.

Use effective monitoring tools

To monitor network traffic effectively, having the right tools in place is important. Using the right tools simplifies how you track and understand network data. The most effective tools have these features:

• Real-time dashboards to keep your key metrics visible at all times
• Alerts to notify you when KPIs cross set thresholds, so you’re not caught off guard
• Reports to help you spot trends and prepare for future needs

Choosing tools that are easy to use means less time spent figuring them out and more time making decisions that help your network.

Implement continuous monitoring practices

Continuous monitoring helps catch issues early. Installing software on key devices, like routers and servers, keeps data flowing. Regularly checking dashboards gives a quick view of performance. Custom dashboards, such as Meter’s dashboard, make spotting problems less complex. Automated reports keep you informed without extra effort.

Analyze and act on data

Analysis is where learning how to monitor network traffic pays off. Compare current data to your baseline metrics to see if anything unusual pops up. Finding patterns or repeated issues helps you fix the underlying cause instead of just treating symptoms. Data analysis tools can also highlight which apps or users are using the most resources or where traffic spikes happen.

Take action by:

• Adjusting resources as needed
• Replacing or upgrading old equipment
• Tweaking network settings to improve performance

Consistent reviews make sure your network stays ready for whatever’s next and grows with your needs.

Organize the data collected during monitoring

Keeping your data organized makes it easier to spot what’s really going on with your network. Sort data by key metrics, timeframes, or affected network areas so trends and issues pop out faster. Use labels and tags to group data in a way that makes sense, so digging into past reports doesn’t feel like a treasure hunt.

Structured data helps with audits and makes it simple to share insights across the team. Don’t forget to review your data organization methods now and then to keep up with any changes in the network.

10 ways to improve network utilization

This data-driven approach to network utilization enables you to target specific areas for improvement, ensuring that your network operates at peak efficiency.

1. Implement SD-WAN for intelligent traffic management

SD-WAN can make a big difference in how well your network runs. It chooses the best paths for traffic so that data gets where it needs to go without delays. This means fewer slowdowns and better overall performance.

To get started, find an SD-WAN provider with a strong reputation and simple setup. Once integrated, SD-WAN uses multiple routes and picks the fastest one, which helps maintain optimal network performance. Make sure to pick a solution with an easy-to-use interface, so managing it doesn’t feel like rocket science.

2. Continuously monitor and analyze network performance

Keeping an eye on your network in real time is like having an early warning system. Real-time monitoring tools show you what’s happening, so you’re not blindsided by sudden issues.

Tools like NetFlow or the Meter Dashboard help you track important stuff like bandwidth use, latency, and packet loss. Setting up automated alerts means you’ll know when things are going off track without having to stare at graphs all day.

3. Segment the network for better control and security

Network segmentation helps with traffic flow and boosts security by dividing your network into smaller, more manageable parts. Use VLANs or subnets to separate traffic types, such as:

• Guest Wi-Fi
• Internal communications
• IoT devices

That way, less important traffic won’t meddle with business-critical operations. Start with key areas like guest access points and expand as needed. Think of it as organizing a messy closet—only now, your network won’t come back to haunt you during busy times.

4. Balance traffic loads to avoid congestion

Load balancing spreads traffic across different connections or servers so no single path gets overwhelmed. Data keeps moving, even during peak hours.

Choose hardware or software load balancers based on budget and network needs. Make sure they are set up to share traffic evenly—nobody wants a traffic jam slowing things down. A balanced network stays faster and handles surprises better.

5. Offload non-critical services to the cloud

Shifting non-essential tasks, like file storage or some apps, to the cloud can take a load off your internal network. Trusted cloud providers help match your data needs and meet security standards. Freeing up this bandwidth means more room for important activities and can also cut infrastructure costs.

Start by moving smaller, non-critical workloads to see the impact before diving into larger projects. It's like giving your network a well-deserved break without the guilt trip.

6. Shape traffic to manage bandwidth effectively

Traffic shaping lets you control data flow by putting important traffic first and slowing down non-essential data. Set up traffic shaping rules on routers or switches to manage how bandwidth is used. High-priority activities, like VoIP or video calls, get the boost they need to stay clear.

Reviewing and tweaking these rules from time to time helps keep them in sync with how your network is being used. Nobody wants a choppy video call, right?

7. Automate traffic management and configuration tasks

Automation tools make managing network traffic less complicated. Configuration management or network automation platforms handle tasks like monitoring and adjusting settings. Automating these daily tasks frees up your team for bigger projects and cuts down on mistakes. Set up regular automated checks and updates to keep the network ready for changes.

8. Upgrade hardware to meet modern network demands

Older equipment can have a hard time keeping up with today’s fast data and high usage. Upgrading routers, switches, and access points makes it simpler to handle more traffic and faster connections.

Investing in devices that support Wi-Fi 6 (and potentially Wi-Fi 7) helps prepare your network for the future. Plan to check and replace outdated hardware every few years to avoid slowdowns. Upgrades keep your network humming without sputtering during high-traffic times.

9. Enforce policies to control non-essential traffic

Controlling non-essential traffic saves bandwidth for important work tasks. Setting clear rules that limit things like streaming or big file downloads during peak hours helps a lot. Network management tools can take care of these restrictions automatically, so you don’t have to play traffic cop.

Let employees know about these rules to create awareness and keep everyone on board. A balanced approach keeps people happy while making sure the network stays strong and ready for real work.

10. Educate users to optimize network usage during peak times

Helping users understand best practices for network use can make a big difference in managing bandwidth. Encourage simple habits, like moving big data transfers to off-peak hours or choosing wired connections when possible.

Hosting workshops or sending out quick guides adds a touch of network know-how to company culture. A bit of user awareness can go a long way, making sure everyone enjoys a better network experience—and fewer “Why is the Wi-Fi so slow?” complaints.

Are there challenges in monitoring and improving network utilization?

Almost anything that has to do with a network will come with challenges. Knowing what they are and how to resolve them will make life easier for engineers and IT teams.

Handling large volumes of data

Keeping track of network data can feel like trying to drink from a firehose—there’s just too much at once. Sorting through it by hand is overwhelming and takes forever.

Advanced monitoring tools that automate data collection and analysis make this easier. Meter’s dashboard helps out by turning that mountain of data into simple, visual reports and real-time insights, so finding and fixing problems becomes a faster, less painful process.

Accurate tracking of key metrics

Keeping track of metrics like bandwidth, latency, and packet loss isn’t always simple. Missing details can lead to bad reads on your network’s health and overlooked problems. The best fix? Use monitoring software that checks these metrics in real-time and sends alerts when things go off the rails.

Meter’s platform makes tracking easy, giving teams better visibility and faster response times. With tools like these, you’ll know what’s happening before it turns into a bigger headache.

Managing peak-time network congestion

Peak-time slowdowns can mess with productivity and test everyone’s patience. Solving this means finding ways to manage traffic so that important data moves first. Load balancing and traffic shaping can help spread out the load and prevent congestion.

Meter steps in with tools that automate traffic flow adjustments, so your network stays on track during busy periods, and nobody has to deal with the dreaded buffering wheel.

Upgrading outdated infrastructure

Old hardware and software can slow down your network and make it hard to improve things. Upgrading sounds easy until you think about the costs and the possible disruptions.

To handle this, try a phased upgrade plan that spreads out the expenses and keeps downtime to a minimum. Meter offers hardware upgrades and support as part of its services, easing the cost and effort of keeping your infrastructure current.

Integrating modern solutions

Compatibility issues and training gaps can cause problems, and learning new systems can slow things down. Go for easy-to-use solutions and provide good training to simplify things. Meter’s platform helps with simple controls and guided steps. Your team will be able to get started without the accompanying stress.

Next steps: Optimize network performance with Meter

Meter’s seamless, cloud-managed infrastructure can help monitor and improve network utilization effectively. We offer a comprehensive solution to support your network engineers with everything from design and installation to ongoing maintenance and support. 

Meter keeps your network running efficiently with:

• Maintenance and hardware upgrades: Enjoy no upfront costs, free updates, ongoing operation support, and time savings.
• Support for your network engineers: Meter enables your network engineers to manage larger networks and more locations without needing additional hires.
• ‍High-level security: Our platform enhances protection through DNS security, malware defense, VPN features, and real-time monitoring to safeguard data.
• ‍Network transparency: Monitor and manage your network remotely with Meter's dashboard, automating configurations and reducing manual IT tasks.
• ‍Improved speed and reliability: Integrated security appliances, routing, and switching deliver consistent network performance, reliability, and preventive measures.

Try a demo of Meter to see how we can help you achieve optimal network performance. If you have questions, then contact the Meter support team today or sign up for a free trial.