Limit network usage on vms

Home Tech Home Lab & Servers
1

Hi all,

I’m currently running a few Windows and Linux VMs on Proxmox, and I’m wondering what the best way is to limit network usage per VM.

For context, one of my Windows VMs is using excessive amount of data, mainly because of a rogue iCloud app. I tried limiting data usage within Windows by setting a data limit and marking the network as a metered connection, but those seem more like for notifications rather than hard limit.

I did some Googling and came across a few tools, but they are new to me and wasnt sure on any of them. I’m curious if anyone here has setup data usage limits for VMs in Proxmox, and what solutions you are using.

Ideally, I’d like something that can cap network usage per VM and cut the internet access once the limit is hit (extra point for notifications). Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated.

2

Easiest way would be to do it through your router

But that will restrict it for the ip address, so all the vm’s would be hit

Other thing you can do is limit the speed, if the speed is low, even if it does icloud sync, it would not hit your monthly data cap

On a per vm basis, you will have to use some tool/script..

1 Like
3

Yeah, I saw the option to limit speeds in some posts. will probably do that now. I do need to upgrade my router to set up limits I suppose. will look into that too.

Thanks for your response.

1 Like
4

Do you mean limits at port/interface level ? Unless you specifically chose host only or have setup nat, I think vm network will be in bridge mode with host interface and will show up separately on the router.

5

I have no idea if each vm would show up as a seperate entry in the router client list, but if it does, it will achieve his goal of restricting that one particular vm.

Even cheaper routers these days support speed limits, my ax10 had that feature.. Someone sold their ax10 for 1400 recently Multiple Device Sale

6

Also @tech_noob If u are planning to buy a new router, if by any chance you are looking at tp link

Here’s a suggestion, just go to it’s support page, and look for the “emulators” section.. You can run an emulator of that particular device’s web ui to know what all features that particular device has, it may be outdated, and new features may have been rolled out with updates, but it will still give u a good idea..

For example: Download for Archer AX10 | TP-Link India

Click emulators, select one and it will take you here : Opening... You can play around and find out what all can be done on this device!

1 Like
7

Long time ago I used to limit net access of individual applications through an application called NetLimiter. It could help in your case.

1 Like
8

Thanks for the link. so far my shortlist only has one router. need more research I think.

1 Like
9

Thanks for the recommendation. I feel like app inside the OS would probably require more maintenance (things might break, updates could change behavior, etc.).

For now, I’ve set a speed limit of 0.5 MB/s on the Windows VM through Proxmox, which seems better for my use case since I still want new photos to keep syncing.

This should (potentially) allow that while keeping the overall bandwidth usage under control.