By default, the data transfer rate that Configuration Manager 2007 sites will use to send data to an address (another site) is unlimited at all times. This means that when a site is transmitting data to another site, it could potentially consume 100% of the available bandwidth during the data transfer. However, you can limit how much connection bandwidth is used at different times of the day by setting maximum data transfer rate for the address. Setting limits on data transfer rates prevents Configuration Manager 2007 from consuming all the available bandwidth of the connection between the current site and the destination site. When you configure a maximum transfer rate for an address, the originating site will calculate the available bandwidth, and then apply the maximum transfer rate during the transmission process.

For example, if the maximum transfer rate for an address is set to 50%, Configuration Manager 2007 will achieve 50% bandwidth utilization by sending a block of data to the destination site, and then pausing for the same amount of time it took to send the data, before sending another block of data. Repeating this process for each block of data sent to the address will effectively provide 50% bandwidth utilization during the transfer.

Note
You must have Modify permission for the site security object class or instance to perform this procedure.

To set maximum data transfer rates for an address

  1. Navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Site Management / <site code> - <site name> / Site Settings / Addresses.

  2. In the results pane, right-click the sender address that you want to limit the transfer rate for, and then click Properties.

  3. In the sender address properties, click the Rate Limits tab.

  4. Click Limited to specified maximum transfer rates by hour.

  5. Select a time period during which the data transfer rate limits will be in effect by dragging the rectangle over the hours you want. The selected time period appears in Time period (for example, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.).

  6. To specify the maximum-connection bandwidth to be used when sending data to this address, click a percentage in the Limit (% of connection bandwidth) list.

  7. Multiple time periods can be configured for each sender. To specify settings for other time periods, repeat steps 4 and 5.