Budgetting bandwidth

[clintonb]

I use a broadband internet connection that i need to connect before i can use it but i only pay for the data i use. The ideal situation is that i just stay connected all day and when i need to use it, i can just open my browser. The problem i'm having is that i have a cap on that connection and i need to use what i have wisely. The problem i have is that certain applications will just connect automatically and start downloading data and so i have to disconnect and reconnect everytime. Does anyone know of a software application that will list every application that tries to use the network when it sees it and allows me to allocate a certain amount of MB that that application can use? For e.g Antivirus software-50MB. When this application has used up it's 50 MB then it must block this software from communicating until i decide otherwise?

Regards

Clinton Brits

[cluberti]

I know of applications that can run on firewalls and proxies (like bandwidthsplitter for ISA/TMG), but perhaps others can provide more insight on host-based apps.