Configuring Quality of Service (QoS) 73
6 Configuring Access Point Services
Packet Bursting for Better Performance
The Unified Access Point includes 802.11e based packet bursting technology that increases
data throughput and speed of transmission over the wireless network. Packet bursting enables
the transmission of multiple packets without the extra overhead of header information. The
effect of this is to increase network speed and data throughput. The size of packet bursts
allowed (maximum burst length) is a configurable parameter.
Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) Interval for Client Stations
The Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) is an interval of time when a Wi-Fi Multimedia
(WMM) client station has the right to initiate transmissions onto the wireless medium (WM).
802.1p and DSCP tags
IEEE 802.1p is an extension of the IEEE 802 standard and is responsible for QoS provision.
One purpose of 802.1p is to prioritize network traffic at the data link/ MAC layer.
The 802.1q tag includes a three-bit field for prioritization, which allows packets to be grouped
into various traffic classes. Eight priority levels are defined. The highest priority is seven,
which might go to network critical traffic (voice). The lowest priority level is zero, this is used
as a best-effort default, it is invoked automatically when no other value has been set.
NOTE: IEEE 802.1p prioritization will not work unless QoS and WMM are enabled.
WMM must be enabled on both the AP and on the client connecting to the
AP.
