What is "Local network traffic"?

Hello there!

In the Settings, there are two monitoring modes that can be used. One of them monitors the network adapter, and the other one monitors apps, but it also mentions that this option excludes local network traffic. I wanted to ask you what does local network traffic mean and also give you some context to help you understand why I'm confused.

When I select the mode that monitors my network adapter, my data usage does not align with the live transfer rate tracker tool that the app provides (data usage report shows higher usage, about 2x more of what it should be based on my transfer rate). I read the article where you addressed this issue and said if I use the app monitoring mode, this problem will be solved. But the problem is that my ISP data usage is more in line with my network adapter usage rather than my app usage that excludes my local network traffic.

So basically, the option that monitors my adapter is more in line with what my ISP tells my data usage is, but the option that monitors my apps is more in line with my transfer rate is and what I think my actual data usage is. And it seems like the difference in these is because of the fact that the second mode is excluding my local network traffic.

So I go back to my original question: what is local network traffic?
Do I have any control over it? Is there any way for me to reduce it? Is it really better to track this if I'm worried about my data running out? Or maybe I am wrong to think my ISP usage should be more in line with when I track my local network traffic and the option that monitors my apps should in fact be more in line with with what my ISP tells my usage is?

These are the questions that I wanted to ask, and also thank you very much for your support!

Local network traffic refers to the data exchanged within your local network - essentially, between devices connected to the same router or network in your home. This could include things like streaming a movie from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, sharing files between computers on your network, or communicating with a local printer. This type of traffic doesn't go through your ISP and therefore isn't counted towards your ISP data usage.

When using the network adapter mode, the monitoring tool records all traffic going through that adapter, including local network traffic. This is why you are seeing higher data usage in that mode - it's likely counting traffic between your local devices.

On the other hand, when you use the app monitoring mode, it focuses on the Internet traffic generated by applications on your computer and disregards any local traffic. This often results in a data usage report that aligns more closely with the live transfer rate tracker, as it doesn't account for the local exchanges between your devices.

The data usage reported by your ISP may indeed be higher than what NetWorx shows because your ISP monitors all the Internet traffic for every device connected to your network. In contrast, NetWorx can only track Internet usage on the computer where it is installed, so it may not account for other devices like smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, or game consoles connected to your network. These additional devices can contribute to the overall data usage seen by your ISP, causing a discrepancy between the two readings.

In most cases, there is no need to track local traffic between your devices, as it doesn't count toward your ISP data usage. Local network traffic is generally unlimited, so unless you are troubleshooting or interested in managing internal bandwidth usage, it doesn't impact your monthly data cap.

If you'd like to get a more comprehensive view of your entire network Internet usage (including all devices), you might consider monitoring your router, provided it supports SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or UPnP (Universal Plug and Play). Monitoring the router directly will give you data that more closely aligns with your ISP reporting, as it encompasses all devices on your network. However, keep in mind that using NetWorx to monitor your router will require your computer to remain on continuously for consistent data polling. This approach can give you a clearer picture of total usage across all devices, but it may not be practical unless you have a setup that can handle continuous monitoring.

Thanks a lot for your explanation! I got the answer I was looking for. Have a nice day.