Network Interface Configuration

Originally written by SilverAzide.

INFO: Network statistics monitoring

In Rainmeter, the NetIn/NetOut/NetTotal measures when used with the Interface=0 option (the default) will show network statistics that are incorrect. If your computer has any virtual network interfaces that are active (and almost all Windows computer do), Rainmeter will report values that are off by a factor of two, three, or even more. For example, on my system when I would copy a 100MB file over my network, Rainmeter would report that 400MB of data was transmitted!

In addition, NetIn/NetOut/NetTotal measures when used with the Cumulative=1 option are very likely to report incorrect values. Rainmeter's methodology for recording cumulative networking statistics is flawed and provides incorrect results when system configuration is changed. (A system configuration change can be anything from adding a network adapter, installing an application that creates virtual interfaces, to something as simple as toggling airplane mode.) Rainmeter stores cumulative statistics by interface index, not by name. An interface's index can change at almost any time, causing Rainmeter to report invalid values from that point on, and to get more inaccurate over time.

These are known issues in Rainmeter. The first issue can be corrected by always configuring your Rainmeter network skins (whichever ones you use) with the proper interface indentifier, such as by using Interface=Best or Interface=<Adapter Name>. There is no work-around in Rainmeter for the issue of the Cumulative=1 option misreporting values, but the ModernGadgets suite offers an alternative method. Use the NetMonitor Service to enable more precise network monitoring.

HOW TO: Configure your Network Meter gadget

There are two ways to configure your Network Meter. Your first option is to monitor whichever network interface is currently active, including virtual interfaces (e.g., VPN connections). This mode does not support monitoring multiple interfaces simultaneously. Your second option is to monitor all active network interfaces simultaneously. This mode is the default, and supports monitoring up to three interfaces simultaneously. (The Wireless Meter gadget monitors only a single wireless adapter interface.)

To monitor only the currently active network interface, do the following:

1. Open the Network Meter Settings gadget by clicking the wrench icon in the upper right corner of any Network gadget.
2. Set the value of all three of the Interface options to blank.

To monitor all network interfaces, do the following:

1. Open the Network Meter Settings gadget by clicking the wrench icon in the upper right corner of the Network Meter gadget.
2. In the Ethernet Interface text box, enter the full name of your Ethernet adapter. If you don't know the name, click the gear icon to try automatic configuration (requires Windows 8 or later). Or, select the List my network adapters option to list all physical or active adapters on your system, and copy the name of your Ethernet adapter from the list.
3. In the Wireless Interface text box, enter the full name of your wireless adapter or click the gear icon to try automatic configuration (requires Windows 8 or later).
4. In the Other Interface text box, enter the full name of any additional network adapter you wish to monitor. You can select an adapter of any type (Ethernet, broadband, etc.), but you should avoid virtual adapters. Automatic configuration is not available for this setting.

If you want to take advantage of the improved accuracy provided by the Network Meter Pro gadget, you will need to install the NetMonitor Service.

You will need to reconfigure your network interface settings if you ever rename a network adapter or install a new one.

TIP: To reset your "Current" or "Total" values in the Network Meter, click the corresponding blue Refresh button.