Internet protocol (IP) networks were not built for real-time voice and video traffic. They were built to reliably transfer data traffic. And they do so very well. The network can transfer each data packet through the network regardless of failures in that network. These IP networks were among the first networks serviced by firms delivering computer services, including computer services in Ottawa. The network guarantees data delivery, while packet order and arrival time were less important factors. Email and websites could withstand extra seconds without severely harming the user experience.
Today, real-time applications are becoming some of the prominent uses of networks. Ottawa computer services have seen that voice and video services are growing in popularity on the network. In addition, this traffic changes the volume and type of demands on the network.
The Problems
Voice and video traffic using fairly consistent bandwidth. While a certain width is still available for these real-time applications, there are no issues. However, data traffic acts differently. It can be very low or very high and occur in bursts. These bursts can take over the entire bandwidth. While the peak may only last for a very short period of time, the real-time applications are disrupted.
These applications are much more sensitive to delay. Voice is much more sensitive to latency, jitter and loss. A video is sensitive to latency and loss. These are common concerns heard by IT companies in Ottawa.
Quality of Service, or QoS, provides the tools to manage the convergence of voice, video and data networks.
The Solution
QoS developed to solve these problems. It encompasses a range of strategies to manage these different traffic types. Classification separates and identifies the different types of applications. These classifications allow the network to employ different behaviors for packet transfer. Queuing types allow the network interfaces to more effectively send the packets that arrive and can guarantee minimum bandwidth while maximizing bandwidth usage. Policers and shapers actively control traffic congestion.
These QoS tools can be used to tune the network to best support the type, variety, and level of traffic encountered. These tools are valuable to IT companies in Ottawa to manage congestion. While it cannot increase network infrastructure capacity, it can ensure the smooth and efficient flow of traffic within it.
In Your Network
Whether you are planning to implement real-time applications or are already encountering congestion issues, you should rethink your QoS strategy. Work with your network administrator or Ottawa computer services to establish your needs and a potential solution. This process should include monitoring. Measure the QoS parameters to have a baseline and to inform your QoS strategy. This data will also verify the effectiveness of the strategy and the work provided by IT companies in Ottawa.