Classification and Marking

Classification and marking is the process of identifying the priority of each packet. This is the first step of QoS control and should be done near the source hosts. classification is the process of identifying and categorizing traffic into classes, typically based upon incoming interface IP precedence DSCP Source or Destination address application classification is the most fundamental QoS building block. Without classification, all packets are treated the same.

The table lists the criteria of classification

Marking

marking is the QoS feature component that colors a packet so it can be identified and distinguished from other packets in QoS treatment. commonly used markers:

link-layer: COS (ISL,802.1Q), MPLS EXP bits, frame relay

network layer:DSCP, IP precedence

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Header Marking

let's take a look at Layer 3 IPv4 packet ToS Byte.

In the starting, the ToS byte defines like this ☝.

The starting 3 bits are used to define IP precedence. The higher the value means the higher the priority of IP Packets.
Rests of the bits are called the Type of Service. ToS bits are used to assign delay, throughput, and reliability.

let's see the picture for better understanding.

But the “type of service” bits which are a specified delay, throughput, and reliability have never been really been used. Only the IP precedence bits are used to assign a priority to the IP packets. do not confuse by the name ToS. 0-7 is called ToS byte and 4-7 bits is called ToS bits (Type of Service). look at the picture below👇. however, ToS bits (Type of Service) have never been used only the IP Precedence is in use for prioritizing the IP packets.

Let's talks about what we actually using nowadays?

DS field (Differentiated Services) now we called ToS byte to DS field the name is changed.

DSCP (DiffServ Code Point) provides a 6-bit field for QoS marking in which color code (CS) is also called DSCP value. CS or DSCP 6 bits among which 3 bits are the same as IP precedence, and the other 3 bits are ToS fields. Thus, the DSCP value range is 0 to 63. The graph below shows the DSCP and IP precedence bits:

DSCP value is also known as Per-Hop Behavior PHB is that packets that are marked with a certain codepoint will receive a certain QoS treatment (for example queuing, policing, or shaping). The default Per-Hop Behavior PHB means that we have a packet that is marked with a DSCP value of 000000. This packet should be treated as “best-effort”.

Now there are three types of defined PHBs:

Best-Effort (BE or DSCP 0) is the packet that is marked with a DSCP value of 000000. This packet should be treated as “best-effort”.

Assured Forwarding (AF) Assured forwarding allows you to provide assurance of delivery as long as the traffic does not exceed some subscribed rate.

Expedited Forwarding (EF).is that any traffic class with EF's related DSCP is given highest priority

let's see CS, AF, EF, and Best effort.

The first bits are called CS higher number means high priority (same as IP Precedence) and the rest of the 3 bits are called AF higher number means high drop probability assured forwarding bits.