Configuring Quality of Service (QoS) 69
6
Configuring Access Point Services
This chapter describes how to configure services on the DWL-3500AP and DWL-8500AP and
contains the following sections:
•
Configuring Quality of Service (QoS)
•
Enabling the Network Time Protocol Server
Configuring Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service (
QoS
) provides you with the ability to specify parameters on multiple
queues for increased throughput and better performance of differentiated wireless traffic like
Voice-over-IP (VoIP), other types of audio, video, and streaming media as well as traditional
IP data over the Unified Access Point.
Understanding QoS
A primary factor that affects QoS is network congestion due to an increased number of clients
attempting to access the air waves and higher traffic volume competing for bandwidth during a
busy time of day. The most noticeable degradation in service on a busy, overloaded network
will be evident in time-sensitive applications like Video, Voice-over-IP (VoIP), and streaming
media.
Unlike typical data files which are less affected by variability in QoS, Video, VoIP and
streaming media must be sent in a specific order at a consistent rate and with minimum delay
between packet
transmission. If the quality of service is compromised, the audio or video will
be distorted.
QoS and Load Balancing
By using a combination of load balancing (see
“Configuring Load Balancing”
on page 68) and
QoS techniques, you can provide a high quality of service for time-sensitive applications even
on a busy network. Load balancing sets thresholds for client associations and AP utilization.
QoS is a means of allocating bandwidth and network access based on transmission priorities
for different types of wireless traffic within a single access point.