Question about QoS Setting

[leslie0629]

Hey guys,

I have a 15 mbps / 3 mbps connection at my parents' place where the connection is shared between a netflix box, VOIP, and my siblings. I'm trying to configure it so that VOIP is always the priority, give netflix enough bandwidth so that it streams smoothly, but also not make the internet feel slow during usage.

I was thinking of giving 3 mbps dedicated to the netflix box (is that possible), and then allocating the remaining 12 mbps to users and VOIP, with VOIP as highest priority.

Would my service classes be something like:

1) Netflix 20% Bandwidth Capcity, Minimum: 0, Maximum: 3mbps
2) Other 80% Bandwidth Capcity, Minimum: 0, Maximum: 12 mbps

And then to give VOIP priority, would I just use the arrow keys to move it to the first position?

Thanks for the help!

[pbix]

For the VoIP and Netflix boxes you should use the minimum bandwidth setting after observing what these applications require to operate properly.

My VoIP ATA requires 80kbps for a smooth conversation. So I have a VoIP class with minimum bandwidth set to 100kbps and all traffic from the ATA routed to the VoIP class. This application requires both upload and download classes set at the same minimum bandwidth.

I do not use NetFlix myself but I understand that it requires around 500kbps for smooth video display without pausing. So you should make a NetFlix download class with minimum bandwidth set to say 600kbps. For the upload side your class will require much less bandwidth but you will again need to observe to see.

Make sure you have the total bandwidth numbers set properly and then enable the active congestion controller. Also make sure you observe that your rules are working correctly by observing the status->connection list page.

[tals]

Out of interest if you are splitting the classes by percentage and that percentage is greater than the min bandwidth setting is their an advantage in doing this?

[leslie0629]

Thanks pbix! I think I'm starting to grasp QoS, but I have a few questions:

1) Would I set the maximum bandwidth to unlimited for say the Netflix box (or for all the classes)? If I did would this hog the bandwidth, or would the percentage bandwidth take care of this?

2) How would I use the percentage bandwidth allocation?

Thanks again!

[pbix]

You can set the maximum to unlimited and the percentage as you like. Some experimentation will be required, The important thing is the minimum which will guarantee you have enough to play your movies at all times.

I don't have a NetFlix box so I do not know what other things that box needs to do. You will have to experiment. If all you need to do is watch the movies then you can set the percentage to 1%.

In any case you should enable the congestion controller.

Out of interest if you are splitting the classes by percentage and that percentage is greater than the min bandwidth setting is their an advantage in doing this?

.
You cannot say that you can satisfy the NetFlix box by using percentage because as you know WAN performance varies though out the day. So 50% of 1mbps is enough but 50% of 500kbps is not. By using the minimum bandwidth we insure that the application always works even if the ISP performance drops off.

[leslie0629]

Thanks again pbix for your time. What does the % allocation do exactly? If I set it at 1%, would that mean it would only get a maximum of .15 Mbps at load, or how would it compete if I put minimum bandwidth at say 1 Mbps, but have percent at 1%?