Bandwidth Splitter News

Aug 25, 2008. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.24 for ISA Server 2000/2004/2006 released.

Both versions for ISA Server 2000 and ISA Server 2004/2006 contain the following changes:

Inbound UDP connections made to published servers (if any UDP port was published) were not filtered in some cases.
If single UDP socket sends data to different destinations, communication with every destination is treated now as individual connection. This is done to keep consistent processing of UDP connections. For example, if there are several shaping rules which are applied depending on destination, and UDP socket communicates with several destinations, it was not clear how to apply several shaping rules to single connection.
Added new option to display full user names instead of account names in quota counters list.
Several performance improvements and minor fixes.

Changes specific to Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2004/2006:

Fixed bug which could lead to Bandwidth Splitter service malfunction if mirrored workgroup accounts were specified in ISA Server administrative roles configuration.
Auxiliary protocols "Unidentified Inbound TCP Traffic" and "Unidentified Inbound UDP Traffic" are removed because of redundancy.

Jun 3, 2008. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.23 for ISA Server 2000/2004/2006 released.

Both versions for ISA Server 2000 and ISA Server 2004/2006 contain the following changes:

Improved accuracy of traffic shaping. Especially it should be evident when configured speed limit is more than 1 Mbit/s.
Improved performance of traffic filtering for high-speed connections.
Improved performance of Bandwidth Splitter real-time monitoring.
Improved performance of quota counters administration. Quota counters list is displayed faster, especially when it has a large number of user accounts.
Fixed bug in processing of intra-array quota counters synchronization that might cause Bandwidth Splitter service to crash.

Mar 21, 2008. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.22 for ISA Server 2000/2004/2006 released.

Both versions for ISA Server 2000 and ISA Server 2004/2006 contain the following changes:

New option in shaping rules that allows you to not just block users' access to Internet when their traffic quota has been exceeded, but instead to use a different shaping rule, without blocking access to Internet. Usually the shaping rule that is applied after user's quota is exceeded can be used to set stricter bandwidth speed limits.
Fixed bug causing ISA Management console to crash during using of remote management when server was unavailable.
Environment strings are now supported in database path configuration. Since database path should be the same on all array members, this modification will help to avoid problems if ISA Server array nodes have different system disk letters, or even different OS languages.

Changes specific to Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2004/2006:

Fixed issue which caused ISA Management console to crash if you tried to use Bandwidth Splitter monitoring during remote management under Windows Vista SP1.
Improved CARP support. Now, when HTTP request is redirected from one array member to another, it is processed on the server that is closer to the Internet in this case. This makes Bandwidth Splitter more compatible with 3rd-party web filters that accumulate data before releasing it to client (antivirus web filters usually do this). Now the shaping is always done while data comes to server. Earlier the antivirus web filters could download files without any speed limits, because Bandwidth Splitter web filter processed this data only when it was sent to client.
Fixed issue with HTTP connections made from ISA Server computer. They could be blocked by Bandwidth Splitter if they did not include the HOST header. One of the victims of this bug was Websense web filter, which could not download its updates.
Fixed a compatibility problem with Authentication Delegation Filter in ISA Server 2006 that could lead to ISA firewall service crash. It could happen if you use authentication delegation in web publishing rules, and NTLM is used as authentication method.

Dec 13, 2007. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.21 for ISA Server 2000/2004/2006 released.

Both versions for ISA Server 2000 and ISA Server 2004/2006 contain the following changes:

Full support of ISA Server arrays having more than 1 server. Traffic quotas are working now in ISA arrays too.
Connections made under computer accounts (domain\computer$) are now treated as anonymous. There is a hidden option to restore the previous behaviour.

Changes specific to Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2004/2006:

Auxiliary protocols created by Bandwidth Splitter (TCP Outbound, TCP Inbound, UDP Outbound, and UDP Inbound) are changed to avoid problems when the same ports are included in different protocols. Now these protocols include only ports that are not included in other protocols. These protocols are also renamed to "Unidentified Outbound TCP Traffic", "Unidentified Inbound TCP Traffic", "Unidentified Outbound UDP Traffic", and "Unidentified Inbound UDP Traffic" which are more appropriate, especially when they are written to ISA logs.
Fixed issue when DNS service is installed on ISA Server computer. This issue happened because of bug in ISA Server. To workaround the problem, Bandwidth Splitter application filter is not selected now in DNS protocol. As a side effect of this change, DNS connections of SecureNAT clients will not be filtered by Bandwidth Splitter (DNS connections of Firewall Clients will still be filtered). Because the issue can happen to any UDP server application running on ISA Server computer, Bandwidth Splitter application filter is also unselected in few other critical UDP protocols used in ISA Server System Rules. This is made to no allow disruption of services after Bandwidth Splitter installation.

Sep 6, 2007. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.20 beta for ISA Server 2000/2004/2006 released.

This version introduces support of ISA Server arrays having more than 1 node.

Note that this version is marked as beta. This means that:

It is not fully tested yet, and it is not recommended to install it on production servers.
It has incomplete functionality. Traffic quotas are disabled in this version and can't be used yet. However shaping and monitoring are already implemented.
Performance is not fully optimized yet.
Your feedback is very welcome.

You need to install Bandwidth Splitter on every server of ISA Server array. If you use dedicated Configuration Storage Server, you don't need to install Bandwidth Splitter on it. However you can install Bandwidth Splitter remote administration add-on on it.

This version also works with Standard Editions of ISA Server and with Enterprise Editions having single server in array. Traffic quotas will work in this case.

Except of introducing array support, this version contains the following fixes and changes:

Changes common to Bandwidth Splitter versions for both ISA Server 2000 and ISA Server 2004/2006:

Users will not see any more "Not licensed" error pages when number of licensed clients exceeds allowed value. Instead, traffic of such users just will not be filtered by Bandwidth Splitter. Reports of such events are posted to Event Log.
You can't change database settings any more. Using of SQL Server databases is not supported since this version. Upgrade to new version will not be possible if you have changed default database settings.

Changes specific to Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2000:

Some UDP connections that use 'connect' method through Firewall Client software could fail. Found workaround that fixes this problem.

Changes specific to Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2004/2006:

When VPN or Dial-Up connection was made from ISA Server computer, new assigned local address wasn't detected by Bandwidth Splitter. This caused Bandwidth Splitter rules to not apply to some connections going through this VPN/Dial-Up connection. Fixed.
Fixed bug in processing of VPN clients sessions which sometimes could cause Firewall service to crash.
There was a problem when importing Bandwidth Splitter configuration in non-English versions of ISA Server 2004/2006. You could see "Unknown rule element type" errors. Fixed.
After server reboots you could see errors in Event Log saying Bandwidth Splitter service has not started in time. This could happen if Bandwidth Splitter required long time to initialize. Fixed.

Your comments and questions are welcome. You can post them via email or using our forum.

May 10, 2007. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.07 for ISA Server 2004/2006 and v.1.14 for ISA Server 2000 released.

Both versions contain the following changes:

Added new option in distributed shaping rules: "Static bandwidth distibution" (see documentation for details)
In Bandwidth Splitter monitoring you can copy now some fields (e.g. URL) of selected connection(s) to clipboard
Fixed compatibility problem with other 3rd-party web filters that accumulate data (antivirus add-ons usually do that). The problem was that users didn't see error pages with message saying quota is exceeded.
Fixed permissions errors in management console
Remote management console could show error messages in Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2003 if MMC 3.0 is used

Changes specific to Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2000:

Fixed incorrect sorting by "Traffic Quota Counter" in Quota Counters in some cases
Fixed problem when customized columns order in monitoring might be saved incorrectly

Changes specific to Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2004/2006:

Added support of non-windows authenticated users (RADIUS, SecureID)
During installation you have option to create 2 access rules (it is recommended to create both). First one allows Bandwidth Monitor (client utility) to connect to ISA Server computer (TCP port 15000) from Internal network. Second allows connections from Remote Management Computers to ISA Server computer (TCP port 59121) to allow Bandwidth Splitter remote management.
Bandwidth Splitter rules can now apply to authenticated VPN clients
Bandwidth Splitter application filter is now selected in all TCP/UDP protocols. If it is not selected it could not manage SecureNAT clients connections in some cases.
Fixed problem when in rare cases you could see few errors in event log after server reboot

Dec 7, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.06 for ISA Server 2004/2006 released.

This release includes the following fixes:

HTTP connections from SNAT and Firewall clients could be denied with error "403 Forbidden. The ISA Server denied the specified Uniform Resource Locator (URL). (12202)"
Server publishing rule could fail on server restart

Oct 23, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.05 for ISA Server 2004/2006 released.

This release includes the following fixes:

Fixed bug when HTTP connections from Firewall or SNAT clients might be dropped (especially in Enterprise Editions of ISA Server)
Bandwidth Splitter service might hang at start when installed on ISA Server 2006 Enterprise Edition
Quotas were not counted in single network adaptor configuration
Incorrect sorting by "Traffic Quota Counter" column in Quota Counters in some cases
Customized columns order in monitoring might be saved incorrectly

Sep 13, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.04 for ISA Server 2004/2006 and v.1.13 for ISA Server 2000 released.

Both versions contain fix that corrects problem when monthly quota counters might reset on 31 day of month.

Bandwidth Splitter v.1.04 for ISA Server 2004 also contain the following changes:

Added more support for administration delegation, for example users having Extended Monitoring role can view Bandwidth Splitter console snap-in in read-only mode
Fixed bug when Enterprise networks weren't considered as a part of array network objects (when used with ISA 2004/2006 Enterprise Edition only)
Corrected destinations processing when upstream proxy server is used

Aug 3, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.03 for ISA Server 2004/2006 released.

This release introduces all protocols support in ISA Server 2006 RTM and also includes the following fixes:

Fixed bug when rule elements were not imported during configuration import
Fixed bug when FTP requests through web-proxy were incorrectly recognized as cached

Jul 12, 2006. News about the hotfix for ISA Server 2004.

Although the hotfix 919621 is still not published, another hotfix that includes required fixes was recently published: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=920716
Fixes described in this article are not related to Bandwidth Splitter functionality, but since hotfixes are cumulative, it contains fixes from hotfix 919621.
So you can already ask for it by contacting Microsoft support. After you install this hotfix, Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2004 will support all protocols, not just HTTP. In this case you don't need to install the hotfix 919621 any more.

Jul 7, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.12 for ISA Server 2000 released.

This release includes the following fixes and improvements:

Fixed bug when wrong shaping/quota rule might be chosen for connection at moments when rules configuration was updated
Fixed few management console issues on Windows 2000 and Windows XP
Fixed bugs in monitoring when hiding columns
Few monitoring performance improvements
Added support for web published servers (reverse web proxy connections)
Added support for export/import Bandwidth Splitter configuration to/from xml file

Jul 6, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.02 for ISA Server 2004 released.

This release includes the following fixes:

Fixed bug in web filter that caused exception catched at 0x20001E0B
Fixed few management console issues on Windows 2000 and Windows XP
Fixed bugs in monitoring when hiding columns
Fixed few other minor issues

Jun 26, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.01 for ISA Server 2004 released.

This is the commercial version. Bandwidth Splitter for ISA Server 2004 is now available for ordering.
This release also includes the following fixes and improvements:

Fixed remote administration bug
Fixed bug in web filter that caused exception catched at 0x****2004
Fixed bug when wrong shaping/quota rule might be chosen for connection at moments when rules configuration was updated
Added support for web published servers (reverse web proxy connections)
Added support for export/import Bandwidth Splitter configuration to/from xml file
All TCP/UDP connections support (special hotfix is required, see additional info)

May 23, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.11 for ISA Server 2000 released.

This release does not include any new features but fixes the following bugs:

Remote administration was broken in v1.10
Web proxy connections were not filtered if ISA Server is in "firewall" installation mode

May 4, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.10 for ISA Server 2000 released.

This version contains several essential changes, most of which have been already implemented in the version for ISA 2004. They include:

Support for separate shaping of incoming/outgoing traffic
Support for separate quota for incoming/outgoing traffic
By default, if no shaping or quota rules exist for some connection, it will not be denied now, but passed without filtering. It allows to avoid breaking of normal server work when no shaping or quota rules are defined for some clients. License won't be spent for non-filtered connections, so now it is possible to install unlicensed Bandwidth Splitter to servers with more than 10 clients. Non-filtered connections won't be shaped, limited with traffic quota, or monitored. (If necessary, you may set the old style of rules processing.)
Other minor improvements.

Apr 19, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.0 Beta for ISA Server 2004/2006 released.

Note: This version supports only web-proxy clients (http protocol). Handling of other protocols will be added a little bit later.

In this version was implemented a little different licensing model. Now, by default, if no shaping or quota rules exist for some connection, it will not be denied now, but passed without filtering. It allows to avoid breaking of normal server work when no shaping or quota rules are defined for some clients. License won't be spent for non-filtered connections, so now it is possible to install unlicensed Bandwidth Splitter to servers with more than 10 clients. Non-filtered connections won't be shaped, limited with traffic quota, or monitored. Next version for ISA 2000 will behave the same way. (If necessary, you may set the old style of rules processing.)

Jan 30, 2006. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.02 for ISA Server 2000 released.

Now users may use special client monitor utility to track their Internet activity in real-time. They can watch their current data transfer rates, the number of established connections, and the traffic quota remainder. The latter is especially useful for users to not allow traffic quota be spent too fast.

It is possible now not to take the traffic to specified destinations or at specified time into account in traffic usage counters (this is useful if there is a high-speed connection with some networks and there is no need to limit that traffic while limiting traffic to other destinations).

Dec 19, 2005. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.01 for ISA Server 2000 released.

The new version contains minor fixes and supports licensing. Now you may order a license for necessary number of clients.

Nov 17, 2005. Bandwidth Splitter v.1.0 Beta for ISA Server 2000 released.