Help Topics

About Throttled Pro

Throttled Pro optimizes your internet connection and provides "QoS (Quality of Service)" to Mac OS X. The following bandwidth graph shows what it could do to your network connection.

Normal Saturated Internet Connection Internet Connection Optimized by Throttled Pro

Throttled Pro achieves these results by providing weighted network queues (WF2Q+) that guarantee bandwidth for all your essential network services like web browsing, email, and online gaming. In addition, it provides ACK packet priority which speeds up downloads when you are sending out a lot of data. This combination assures that you get the most out of your internet service.

Install/Uninstall

To install Throttled Pro just drag the icon to your Applications folder. The first time you launch the application it will install the required unix tools to your system.

If you ever wish to uninstall these items, there is an uninstaller built into the application under the File menu. After you have uninstalled the unix items you can drag the Throttled Pro icon to the Trash to complete the uninstall.

Upgrading

To upgrade your copy of Throttled Pro merely drag it into your Applications folder and launch it. Once it is open select "Update Unix Tools" from the File menu and it will install the latest throttled binary.

Configuration

Each tab of the Configure window represents one method of setting up Throttled Pro. The three methods are listed below.

Easy Configuration - This is the default configuration method for Throttled Pro. If you are unfamiliar with this application, or using it for the first time, we suggest you use this configuration method.

Required Parameters

  • Network Interface - This will list all network interfaces on your system. If you use Ethernet it will be "en0", Airport is "en1", and if you use PPPOE then it will be "ppp0".

  • Maximum Upload Speed - For 256k connections this should be 32K/sec, 128k connections are 16K/sec. You can also test your line speed using the bandwidth tools at DSL Reports. It is essential that you set this correctly. If you are confused or need assistance feel free to contact us at throttled@intrarts.com.

Optional Parameters

  • Cap LAN - By default private NAT networks (192.168.x.x/10.x.x.x) are not throttled. If you want it to cap your LAN then just click this checkbox. Most users will not want this checked.

  • Disable ACK Priority - This will turn off the prioritization of ACK packets under 70 bytes. You probably don't want this checked.

  • WANTunes - This option allows you to share your iTunes Library across the internet. We are not going to provide specific doc's for this. Requires Network Beacon.

Ports Configuration - The ports configuration is a powerful configuration panel that allows you to assign any set of ports or port ranges to be capped.

Required Parameters

  • Network Interface - This will list all network interfaces on your system. If you use Ethernet it will be "en0", Airport is "en1", and if you use PPPOE then it will be "ppp0".

  • Throttled Speed - Set this to the speed you want to cap your outgoing traffic.

  • Ports Table - This is the table of ports you want capped. You can set the Starting Port, Ending Port, Client, and Server options. It will also allow you to set matches for UDP or TCP traffic. For instance if you want your web server capped you would cap port 80, and check the Server and TCP checkboxes.

Optional Parameters

  • Cap LAN - By default private NAT networks (192.168.x.x/10.x.x.x) are not throttled. If you want it to cap your LAN then just click this checkbox. Most users will not want this checked.

  • Disable ACK Priority - This will turn off the prioritization of ACK packets under 70 bytes. You probably don't want this checked.

  • WANTunes - This option allows you to share your iTunes Library across the internet. We are not going to provide specific doc's for this. Requires Network Beacon.

  • Enable Catch All Rule - This option is designed for power users only. This enables a low priority catch all rule on the system. All items listed in the ports table will then run as high priority. For instance if you add SSH to the ports table, and check this box, your SSH sessions will never lag and always be responsive. This can be a very powerful way to configure Throttled Pro. If you enable this feature it will automatically prioritize DNS and ICMP traffic for you.

Advanced Configuration - This method lets you edit the throttled-startup configuration file directly. If you know what your doing this is the most flexible configuration method.

FAQ

Does Throttled Pro support Internet Connection Sharing?

Yes, Throttled Pro will provide capping services to all machines connected to you through Apple's built in Internet Connection Sharing.

Does Throttled Pro work with Apple's built in firewall?

Yes, however in order to configure the firewall you will need to stop Throttled Pro. After the firewall is configured, turn on Throttled Pro and everything will work just fine. We make sure your internet connection is always safe.

Does Throttled Pro support BitTorrent or FTP?

Yes, if you use the easy configuration panel BitTorrent and FTP are supported. If you use the ports configuration and have "Enable Catch All Rule" checked, then this will work as well.

How many services can Throttled Pro handle?

You can setup as many services as you want in Throttled Pro.

What games does Throttled Pro support in the Easy Configuration?

World of Warcraft
Diablo II
Starcraft
Warcraft II
Warcraft III
Unreal Tournament 2004
Call of Duty
Quake 3
Ghost Recon

You can also configure many other games in the Ports Configuration. A full list of gaming ports can be found here. Make sure you have "Enable Catch All Rule" checked if you use this method.

How can I learn more about Worst-case Weighted fair Queueing (WF2Q+)?

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~cheeko/wf2q+/

How can I learn more about ACK packet priority?

http://www.benzedrine.cx/ackpri.html

What if I have other questions about Throttled Pro?

Just contact throttled@intrarts.com and we would be happy to answer your questions.