7 QoS and Traffic Management Explained
1. Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service (QoS) is a set of techniques used to manage network traffic and ensure the performance of critical applications. QoS allows network administrators to prioritize certain types of traffic over others, ensuring that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency.
2. Traffic Classification
Traffic Classification is the process of categorizing network traffic based on various criteria such as source IP, destination IP, protocol, and port number. This categorization allows for the application of different QoS policies to different types of traffic.
For example, VoIP traffic can be classified and prioritized to ensure clear voice communication, while file transfer traffic can be deprioritized to allow more critical traffic to pass first.
3. Policing and Shaping
Policing and Shaping are techniques used to control the rate of traffic. Policing drops packets that exceed the specified rate limit, while Shaping queues packets that exceed the limit to be sent later. Shaping is generally preferred as it ensures smoother traffic flow.
Think of Policing as a strict traffic cop who issues tickets (drops packets) to speeders, while Shaping is like a traffic light that slows down traffic to a manageable flow without stopping it completely.
4. Queue Types
Queue Types define how traffic is managed and prioritized. Common queue types include:
- Simple Queue: Manages traffic based on a single rate limit.
- FIFO (First In, First Out): Processes packets in the order they are received.
- Priority Queue: Assigns different priorities to different types of traffic.
- Round Robin: Alternates between different queues to ensure fair distribution of bandwidth.
For example, a Priority Queue can be used to ensure that VoIP traffic is always processed before web browsing traffic, ensuring clear voice communication.
5. Packet Marking
Packet Marking involves tagging packets with specific DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) values. These tags are used to prioritize traffic based on its importance. For example, packets marked with a high DSCP value will be given higher priority in the network.
Think of Packet Marking as labeling packages with priority tags. Packages with high priority tags are processed and delivered first, ensuring timely delivery of critical items.
6. Class-Based Queuing
Class-Based Queuing allows you to create different classes of traffic and apply specific rules to each class. This provides granular control over how different types of traffic are managed. For example, you can create a class for VoIP traffic and another for file transfers, each with its own rate limit and priority.
Imagine Class-Based Queuing as a multi-lane highway where each lane has its own speed limit and priority rules. This ensures that different types of traffic flow smoothly without interfering with each other.
7. Traffic Shaping in MikroTik
Traffic Shaping in MikroTik involves configuring queues and rate limits to control the flow of traffic. MikroTik RouterOS provides various tools and features to implement Traffic Shaping, such as Simple Queues, Priority Queues, and Class-Based Queuing.
For example, you can configure a Simple Queue to limit the bandwidth for P2P traffic, ensuring that it does not interfere with more critical applications like email and web browsing.
By mastering QoS and Traffic Management in MikroTik, you can create a network that is both efficient and reliable, providing a smooth user experience even under heavy load. This knowledge is essential for anyone aiming to become a MikroTik Certified Routing Engineer.