The process of manipulating, managing or controlling (shaping) portions of a
network connection to the outside world and determining an allowed
bandwidth consumption based on types of activities. The term is commonly used in
conjunction with Internet Service Providers (
ISP), where it refers to a tool
that is used to limit or direct bandwidth consumption by users. An ISP may use bandwidth
shaping to limit a users ability to take too much control over the internet
gateway. Bandwidth shaping is also called
bandwidth allocation or
referred to as a
bandwidth management tool.