Find out if your computer acts as a Skype Super-Node

Martin Brinkmann
Jun 26, 2008
Updated • Dec 13, 2012
Tutorials
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Bandwidth usage can be extremely different for Skype users which can be attributed whether computers are being used as Skype Super-Nodes. A Super-Node is basically a computer that is running Skype and not preventing the software access to the ports 80 and 443 which are used to route traffic from other Skype users who are behind a protected system.

The major problem with being a Skype Super-Node is that the bandwidth usage per hour will be much higher which might cause concern for users with Internet accounts that are having bandwidth limitations.

A great way for finding out if your system is being used as a Skype Super-Node is by installing a software that logs the bandwidth usage of Skype when the application is running. One tool that can do that is the trial version of Netlimiter which can be used for 30 days before it has to be registered.

Netlimiter logs all incoming and outgoing connections and their traffic consumption and it is possible to display the traffic consumption of a specific application as well.

The best way in my opinion to find out if Skype is acting as a Super-Node is to start it and let it run for a few hours without using it actively. Bandwidth consumption is obviously higher if you make calls or transfer data with Skype and it is more difficulty to find out if Skype is acting as a Super-Node if you have to analyze the traffic in direct and indirect traffic.

The above screenshot is showing the incoming and outgoing Skype bandwidth for most of today and as you can see it's less than 500 Kilobyte. Super-Nodes can use hundreds of Megabytes.

The easiest way to prevent Skype from being a Super-Node is to block access to the ports 80 and 443 in Skype. You can do that under Tools > Options > Connections. Just uncheck the option "Use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections".

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Comments

  1. Alizah said on October 26, 2010 at 7:19 am
    Reply

    block skype?
    Free Songs|

    1. Someone said on June 6, 2012 at 7:32 pm
      Reply

      Did you read the article ?

  2. Mark O'Neill said on August 3, 2008 at 6:02 pm
    Reply

    You can also block Skype supernode functionality by editing a registry setting – http://xmlnetworking.blogspot.com/2008/08/revisiting-skype-security.html

  3. Rarst said on June 27, 2008 at 6:14 am
    Reply

    >One tool that can do that is the trial version of Netlimiter which can be used for 30 days before it has to be registered.

    There is freeware version “NetLimiter 2 Monitor” which has only monitoring and statistics functions, should be enough for measuring bandwith without having to pay or use trial.

    And the app is really great, I had never found decent daily use for it :) but it is well made.

  4. jan said on June 27, 2008 at 12:27 am
    Reply

    good old netlimiter!
    I’ve never found a program on the internet that could give me the same functionality!
    Truly outstanding!

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