What is “Network Management and Testing” data usage category?

Our usage is currently at 75% of our total data limit. There are 3 days left in the billing cycle.

OK, so by my math that is 595GB worth of "Network Management and Testing". Yea, something is up.

Can’t help but wonder if this tech doublespeak has been used to throttle my data usage.

Where do you see this...on the Data Usage Meter in your account?  I don't see it.

Yes. This is the first time this data category has ever appeared on my account usage meter. After finally having an exchange with a tech representative, I am convinced now that “Network Management and Testing “ is just a bogus data category term they have created for data traffic they can’t identify. My frustration is with not knowing exactly what it is, I am helpless to attempt to control it. Coincidentally I have recently raised my data limit, so I am a little suspicious that they could possibly be throttling my data usage to ultimately force me to raise it again or pay for unlimited.

but their number won't be accurate is they don't measure ALL data, only specific types of data. 

What do you mean by that? I have a Asus router and it is accurate.

I am currently using an Arris modem, and an Asus router. I am going to attempt to trace the data activity to see specifically what it might be.

Yea, look under "Traffic Analyzer". Should be several tools to track bandwidth. That much data should be easy to spot.

Thanks

Some routers have automatic speed tests they run periodically, but the router doesn't add that to the usage figures, and running speed tests let's say on a daily basis, can mean GIGS of data used, but not accounted for. Some people have their routers set to run them hourly, I cann't even begin to tell you how much data that uses! 

Some routers are setup to perform DNS, and while they measure network traffic from each device, dns lookup information isn't counted because the router itself is doing the lookups. There are also other types of data  that some routers don't monitor properly, such as crc or checksum data. 

Same, what ended up being the resolution? I called Cox after experiencing the same network management data category and Cox had me reset my router name and wifi password. They also just thought it was someone stealing our wifi but the app didn’t show any unrecognized devices.