ZyXEL Communications NWA-3163 & NWA-3166 User Manual

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Chapter 9 SSID Screen
NWA-3160 Series User’s Guide
154
On APs without WMM QoS, all traffic streams are given the same access priority to 
the wireless network. If the introduction of another traffic stream creates a data 
transmission demand that exceeds the current network capacity, then the new 
traffic stream reduces the throughput of the other traffic streams.
The NWA uses WMM QoS to prioritize traffic streams according to the IEEE 802.1q 
or DSCP information in each packet’s header. The NWA automatically determines 
the priority to use for an individual traffic stream. This prevents reductions in data 
transmission for applications that are sensitive to latency and jitter (variations in 
delay).
9.3.1.1  WMM QoS Priorities
The following table describes the WMM QoS priority levels that the NWA uses.
9.3.2  ATC
Automatic Traffic Classifier (ATC) is a bandwidth management tool that prioritizes 
data packets sent across the network. ATC assigns each packet a priority and then 
queues the packet accordingly. Packets assigned a high priority are processed 
more quickly than those with low priority if there is congestion, allowing time-
sensitive applications to flow more smoothly. Time-sensitive applications include 
both those that require a low level of latency and a low level of jitter such as Voice 
over IP or Internet gaming, and those for which jitter alone is a problem such as 
Internet radio or streaming video.
ATC assigns priority based on packet size, since time-sensitive applications such 
as Internet telephony (Voice over IP or VoIP) tend to have smaller packet sizes 
than non-time sensitive applications such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The 
following table shows some common applications, their time sensitivity, and their 
Table 31   WMM QoS Priorities
PRIORITY LEVEL
DESCRIPTION
voice
(WMM_VOICE)
Typically used for traffic that is especially sensitive to jitter. Use 
this priority to reduce latency for improved voice quality.
video
(WMM_VIDEO)
Typically used for traffic which has some tolerance for jitter but 
needs to be prioritized over other data traffic.
best effort
(WMM_BEST_EFFORT
)
Typically used for traffic from applications or devices that lack 
QoS capabilities. Use best effort priority for traffic that is less 
sensitive to latency, but is affected by long delays, such as 
Internet surfing.
background
(WMM_BACKGROUND
)
This is typically used for non-critical traffic such as bulk transfers 
and print jobs that are allowed but that should not affect other 
applications and users. Use background priority for applications 
that do not have strict latency and throughput requirements.