* Propel Software unveils Personal Bandwidth Manager at DEMOfall07 conference
There’s a cool new product in the works that lets PC users control how they use bandwidth and allocate greater capacity to time-sensitive operations such as IP phone calls, video and online games.
Called Propel Personal Bandwidth Manager (PBM), the software determines the priority in which applications can make demands on the network bandwidth available to a PC user.
One example the product’s maker, Propel Software, gives is when a PC user takes a Skype call while also uploading a file. Priority is given to the Skype call, which is more susceptible to time delays. “The Skype traffic is higher priority because interfering with its packets can degrade the call quality. In contrast, the file upload is lower priority – the file transfer will not break if preference is given to the Skype traffic,” Propel Software states.
The automated actions Propel PBM can take — such as throttling back a file transfer to preserve call quality — are based on policy definitions that are updated via a process the company likens to the way virus protection software automatically downloads new virus definitions.
Propel PBM includes a traffic monitor that displays bandwidth use by application in real-time; this feature is aimed at helping a user track bandwidth use and detect the presence of hidden malware using the Internet connection, the company says.
The traffic monitor can display cumulative bandwidth consumed (inbound and outbound). It also shows current transfer rates of incoming and outgoing traffic so that users can see the proportion of bandwidth utilized by each application, and the effects of prioritization on those applications.
Propel Software unveiled its PBM product during last week’s DEMOfall07 conference in San Diego.
“Propel PBM is breakthrough software for individual PC users who demand high quality when using bandwidth-sensitive applications like VoIP or online gaming,” said Chris Shipley, executive producer of DEMOfall07, in a statement. “As more and more applications compete for use of an individual PC’s network connection, Propel PBM will become must-have software for PC users.”
Propel Software was founded in 1999. Its flagship product is Propel Accelerator, which ISPs use to optimize network performance for users of 802.11 hot spots, wireless data, low-speed broadband and dial-up connections.
Propel PBM for Windows will be generally available this fall. In the meantime, Propel Software invites interested parties to sign up for its “invitation only” beta test program.
