User guide

Dimension GS-3012 Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Classifier 19-1
This chapter introduces and shows you how to configure the packet classifier on the GS-3012.
19.1 About the Classifier and QoS
Quality of Service (QoS) refers to both a network’s ability to deliver data with minimum delay, and the networking
methods used to control the use of bandwidth. Without QoS, all traffic data is equally likely to be dropped when the
network is congested. This can cause a reduction in network performance and make the network inadequate for
time-critical application such as video-on-demand.
A classifier groups traffic into data flows according to specific criteria such as the source address, destination
address, source port number, destination port number or incoming port number. For example, you can configure a
classifier to select traffic from the same protocol port (such as Telnet) to form a flow.
Configure QoS on the switch to group and prioritize application traffic and fine-tune network performance. Setting
up QoS involves two separate steps:
1. Configure classifiers to sort traffic into different flows.
2. Configure policy rules to define actions to be performed for a classified traffic flow (refer to Chapter 20 to
configure policy rules).
19.2 Configuring the Classifier
Use the Classifier screen to define the classifiers. After you define the classifier, you can specify actions (or policy)
to act upon the traffic that match the rules. To configure policy rules, refer to Chapter 20 .
Click Advanced Application and Classifier in the navigation panel to display the configuration screen as shown.
Chapter 19
Classifier