Chapter 12 Quality of Service (QoS)
AX/DX/EX/PX Series User’s Guide
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QoS versus CoS
QoS is used to prioritize source-to-destination traffic flows. All packets in the same flow are given the 
same priority. CoS (class of service) is a way of managing traffic in a network by grouping similar types of 
traffic together and treating each type as a class. You can use CoS to give different priorities to different 
packet types.
CoS technologies include IEEE 802.1p layer 2 tagging and DiffServ (Differentiated Services or DS). IEEE 
802.1p tagging makes use of 3 bits in the packet header, while DiffServ is a new protocol and defines a 
new DS field, which replaces the eight-bit ToS (Type of Service) field in the IP header.
Tagging and Marking
In a QoS class, you can configure whether to add or change the DSCP (DiffServ Code Point) value, IEEE 
802.1p priority level and VLAN ID number in a matched packet. When the packet passes through a 
compatible network, the networking device, such as a backbone switch, can provide specific 
treatment or service based on the tag or marker.
Traffic Shaping
Bursty traffic may cause network congestion. Traffic shaping regulates packets to be transmitted with a 
pre-configured data transmission rate using buffers (or queues). Your Zyxel Device uses the Token Bucket 
algorithm to allow a certain amount of large bursts while keeping a limit at the average rate.
Traffic Policing
Traffic policing is the limiting of the input or output transmission rate of a class of traffic on the basis of 
user-defined criteria. Traffic policing methods measure traffic flows against user-defined criteria and 
identify it as either conforming, exceeding or violating the criteria.
Traffic
Time
Traffic Rate
Traffic
Time
Traffic Rate
(Before Traffic Shaping) (After Traffic Shaping)
Traffic
Time
Traffic Rate
Traffic
Time
Traffic Rate
(Before Traffic Policing) (After Traffic Policing)