How do I throttle a Windows 7 remote desktop connection?

Question

I have a remote desktop connection from one windows 7 machine to another windows 7 machine. I would like to throttle the network connection to emulate the experience I would receive if the computers were not on the same local network. In the past, I've used NetLimiter to throttle the network connection of specific applications on my computer. This works if I rdp windows 7 into a windows xp machine. However, no network traffic is shown when connecting windows 7 to windows 7.

How can I throttle a windows 7 rdp connection to another windows 7 computer?

Answer 1

The only quick way I can think of is use a low end managed switch as (most of) these allow you to set bandwidth allocations on a per port basis. You can probably pick a second hand one up on eBay cheapish, if you don't already have a old one lying about.

If you are just running tests and have the hardware spare, you could also try using VmWare Workstation, this allows you to create teams of VMs and set the speed for the virtual network card.

Lastly, in Remote Desktop itself, you could always go to options and then the experience tab to test out on low bandwidth by disabling all the features, however this will only emulate a session optimised for low bandwidth links and obviously would actually be fast.

Answer 2

I would turn down the settings in remote desktop. Open the expanded options, then select Experience. Then uncheck all but the last one. This ought to at least get you started. Combine that with the aformentioned bandwidth limitng programs and you should be set.