7.4 Prioritization Explained

Key Concepts

• Traffic Prioritization
• QoS (Quality of Service)
• Queue Types
• Bandwidth Allocation
• Configuration and Implementation

1. Traffic Prioritization

Traffic prioritization is the process of managing network traffic to ensure that certain types of data receive preferential treatment over others. This is crucial in environments where different types of traffic have varying importance, such as voice over IP (VoIP) and web browsing.

Example: Think of traffic prioritization as a fast lane on a highway. Just as a fast lane allows certain vehicles to move more quickly, prioritization allows certain types of data to be transmitted faster.

2. QoS (Quality of Service)

Quality of Service (QoS) is a set of techniques used to manage network resources to ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and priority. QoS policies can be configured to classify, shape, and prioritize traffic based on various criteria.

Example: Consider QoS as a traffic cop directing vehicles at an intersection. Just as a traffic cop ensures that emergency vehicles get through first, QoS ensures that critical data gets the necessary bandwidth.

3. Queue Types

Different queue types are used to manage traffic based on priority and bandwidth requirements. Common queue types include:

• FIFO (First In, First Out): The simplest queue type where packets are processed in the order they arrive.
• PQ (Priority Queue): Assigns different priorities to different classes of traffic, ensuring that high-priority traffic is processed first.
• CQ (Custom Queue): Allows custom rules to be defined for different classes of traffic, providing more granular control over bandwidth allocation.
• WFQ (Weighted Fair Queue): Ensures fair distribution of bandwidth among different flows, preventing any single flow from monopolizing the bandwidth.

Example: Think of queue types as different lines at a grocery store. FIFO is like a single line where everyone waits their turn, PQ is like having express lanes for VIP customers, CQ is like having different lines for different types of customers, and WFQ is like having a system that ensures everyone gets served fairly.

4. Bandwidth Allocation

Bandwidth allocation involves distributing the available network bandwidth among different types of traffic. This can be done using various techniques such as rate limiting, shaping, and marking to ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth.

Example: Consider bandwidth allocation as dividing a pie among several people. Just as you might give a larger slice to someone who needs more, you allocate more bandwidth to critical applications.

5. Configuration and Implementation

Configuring and implementing prioritization on a MikroTik router involves several steps:

• Classify Traffic: Define rules to classify different types of traffic based on criteria such as source IP, destination IP, protocol, and port number.
• Assign Queues: Assign the classified traffic to appropriate queues based on priority and bandwidth requirements.
• Apply QoS Policies: Apply QoS policies to ensure that the configured queues are enforced and that traffic is prioritized as intended.
• Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor the network to ensure that the QoS policies are effective and make adjustments as necessary.

Example: Configuring prioritization is like setting up a traffic management system. You need to classify vehicles (traffic), assign them to appropriate lanes (queues), enforce traffic rules (QoS policies), and monitor the flow (network performance) to make adjustments as needed.