Difference between revisions of "QOS Setup Guide"

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The type of service (TOS) field in the IPv4 header has had various purposes over the years, and has been defined in different ways by five RFCs[1]. The modern redefinition of the TOS field is a six-bit Differentiated Services Field (DS field)[2] field and a two-bit Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) field.[3] While Differentiated Services is somewhat backwards compatible with TOS, ECN is not. (Source: Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_of_Service http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_of_Service])
 
The type of service (TOS) field in the IPv4 header has had various purposes over the years, and has been defined in different ways by five RFCs[1]. The modern redefinition of the TOS field is a six-bit Differentiated Services Field (DS field)[2] field and a two-bit Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) field.[3] While Differentiated Services is somewhat backwards compatible with TOS, ECN is not. (Source: Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_of_Service http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_of_Service])
  
More DiffServ information: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differentiated_Services_Code_Point http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differentiated_Services_Code_Point]
+
Other VERY helpful information:
 +
 
 +
[http://bytesolutions.com/Support/Knowledgebase/KB_Viewer/ArticleId/34/DSCP-TOS-CoS-Presidence-conversion-chart.aspx DSCP-TOS-CoS-Presence conversion chart]
 +
 
 +
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differentiated_Services_Code_Point DiffServ Refrence]
  
 
;Step 1.
 
;Step 1.

Revision as of 19:07, 3 October 2012

QOS will enhance the function of Voice on the network in most cases. There are cases where the use of managed switches will likely not impact the performance of voice over the network but these are exceptions and IPitomy recommends using a Managed Switch on all commercially deployed implementations of voice products.

First let me state that if already understand QoS and are just looking for where you set the DSCP value, Navigate to PBXSetup->SIP and under advanced go to SIP TOS and RTP TOS.  Set these to any of the available class selector values, then set the selected class to be high priority in your switch. 

If you have an unmanaged switch that supports QoS, you will need to consult the documentation but you can probably set CS5-7 and the switch should prioritize you over most traffic.

IPitomy performs QoS by tagging packets with DSCP values.  DSCP refers to a field that is reserved for tags in every packet sent.  This field has a value from 0-63.  And manufacturers use many different names for the values in this field.  One of the most prominent names for values are the "Class Selector" values.  Their names start with "CS".  But their decimal and binary values are below:

field name
binary
decimal
AF11
001010
10
AF12
001100
12
AF13
001110
14
AF21
010010
18
AF22
010100
20
AF23
010110
22
AF31
011010
26
AF32
011100
28
AF33
011110
30
AF41
100010
34
AF42
100100
36
AF43
100110
38
CS1
001000
8
CS2
010000
16
CS3
011000
24
CS4
100000
32
CS5
101000
40
CS6
110000
48
CS7
111000
56
EF
101110
46
default
0
0


The important thing with configuring QoS is understanding how a switch "sees" your packets and how a priority is used in your particular equipment. 

For the first part:  Does the switch trust the values you set on packets or does it just wipe them out and put another value?  This is often defened as a DSCP "Trust" Mode.  Does the switch trust what it sees or does it set the value everything on port x to a hard-coded value?

Many switches implement 4 queues, with the higher number queue being the highest prescedence.  These queues are then mapped into 7 classes or categories of traffic.  Normally by default the classes are also configured such that the higher number is using the highest queue.

The implementation of QOS varies greatly from one switch manufacturer to another and therefore we have decided to post this guide for one of the switches for which we have experience, the Netgear FS728TP. (Note: many switch manufacturers set CS3 {IPitomy Default} to Low or Normal Priority. When the switch manufacturer states "QOS is ON at default" do not assume you can just plug it in and it'll do what you hope it will do.)

The Netgear FS728TP product specs are available at: http://www.netgear.com/business/products/switches/smart-switches/FS728TP.aspx

We like the switch because it is cost-effective and efficiently performs the tasks required to optimize a network for voice traffic.

For best performance, ports on a switch should be designated for either non-voice data (PC's, printers, etc.) or voice-data. This isn't always possible but since QOS can be set as part of the packet header, its efficiency can still be realized.

In the FS728TP QOS is set as follows:

For reference only the QOS setting in the PBX is shown:

PBX GUI - SIP Advanced.gif

Notice the SIP TOS and RTP TOS are set to "CS3"... this is a reference to make QOS programming easier.

The type of service (TOS) field in the IPv4 header has had various purposes over the years, and has been defined in different ways by five RFCs[1]. The modern redefinition of the TOS field is a six-bit Differentiated Services Field (DS field)[2] field and a two-bit Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) field.[3] While Differentiated Services is somewhat backwards compatible with TOS, ECN is not. (Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_of_Service)

Other VERY helpful information:

DSCP-TOS-CoS-Presence conversion chart

DiffServ Refrence

Step 1.
Navigate to the switch (we recommend setting the switch or switches to Static IP Address assignments since these are infrastructure devices that must be maintained and often require remote access. (The setting of Static IP Addressing for the switch is not covered in this guide but is very easily done under the heading of System - Management - IP Configuration.)
Netgear Loging Screen.gif
Step 2.
Input the password ("password' at default)
Step 3.
Navigate to the QOS tab
Step 4.
Navigate to Basic - CoS Global Configuration
Step 5.
Enable QoS
Step 6.
Set the trust mode to DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point)
Netgear QOS Screen.gif
Step 7.
Navigate to Advanced - DSCP to Queue Mapping
Netgear DSCP to Queue Mapping.gif
Step 8.
Under Class Selector (CS) PHB select the queue priority High from the list for CS3
Step 9.
Select Apply

That's it! QOS is now set on this switch to prioritize voice traffic over non-voice traffic.