Solving a Real Network Monitoring Need
When working on campus networks with strict bandwidth caps and variable throughput, existing monitoring tools were often either bloated or lacked unobtrusive floating widgets.
I set out to build ISM+, a native Windows utility designed from the ground up to provide instant network telemetry while consuming minimal system resources.
Architecture and Optimization Techniques
1. Minimizing Memory Footprint (under 70MB)
To ensure ISM+ could run continuously in the background without degrading system gaming or development performance:
- Replaced standard WPF visual trees with optimized low-level drawing contexts (
DrawingVisual). - Utilized lightweight Win32 API hooks (
GetIfTable2,NetApi32) to query network adapters with zero polling overhead. - Implemented aggressive Garbage Collection tuning and buffer pooling for packet sampling.
2. Floating Widget & Taskbar Integration
Users needed real-time visibility without switching windows. ISM+ includes:
- A draggable, borderless floating widget with snap-to-edge magnetic docking.
- Taskbar notification area tray indicators with color-coded speed graphs.
- Configurable transparency and click-through modes.
Distribution on the Microsoft Store
Publishing to the Microsoft Store involved:
- MSIX packaging with strict capability declarations.
- Implementing freemium licensing using the Windows.Services.Store API.
- Automated crash telemetry and weekly update rollouts.
Today, ISM+ is actively used by over 400 developers and power users worldwide.
