Calculate the Number of Packets Being Transmitted
When your computer sends and receives data through the Internet, it uses a particular data format known as a packet. Packets are specifically optimized for Internet transfer, emphasizing small size and stability. Packets even have data built into them to check for errors. Windows makes it easy to track just how many packets you've sent and received in a given session through its preinstalled Network Connection monitor. The Network Connection monitor is available on all current versions of Windows.
Instructions
1. Close any programs that are actively downloading or uploading data, such as torrent streams or online videos.
2. Double-click on your Network Connection icon. It's located in the bottom right corner of the screen, beside the time. The icon look varies depending on the operating system, but if you hover over an icon in the area, a bubble will pop up telling you what it is. Once you double-click the correct icon, the Network Connection monitor will pop up.
3. Write down the current number of packets sent and received, which you will find in the "Activity" section of the Network Connection monitor. These numbers will increase as you browse the Internet and transmit files.
4. Perform the task for which you're interested in calculating the packet size. For instance, if you want to know how many packets are sent while streaming a video, watch the video now.
5. Return to the Network Connections monitor once the task is complete and write down the new number of packets sent and received.
6. Subtract the first set of numbers from the second. This will tell you how many packets were sent and received while you performed your specific task.
Tags: Network Connection, Connection monitor, Network Connection monitor, packets sent, sent received