Using Network Monitoring to Ensure Quality of Service (QoS)

In modern companies, IT teams must maintain a good balance between security, connectivity, and productivity needs. Establishing strict policies to meet various internet connectivity needs in the office is usually a repetitive process that burdens IT admins. In addition, network monitoring must be implemented to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Various important and time-sensitive applications, such as e-commerce, VoIP-based video conferencing, and cloud-based applications, must remain continuously active without any interruptions. This is where QoS policies are needed. What exactly is QoS and what does a well-maintained QoS look like in a company?

What is QoS?

QoS stands for Quality of Service. QoS refers to all mechanisms or tools that ensure important applications requiring real-time data (usually in the form of audio or video) receive adequate dedicated bandwidth, with higher priority over other applications. The main goal of QoS is to manage packet loss and reduce latency and disruptions in network connections.

Highly critical data transfers usually use the UDP protocol. Unlike TCP, UDP does not retransmit lost packets during transit because it is connectionless. So, during an IP call, if some audio packets are lost in transit, those packets will not be retransmitted because the sound quality becomes irregular and unintelligible due to the disruption.

To address scenarios like the one above, network administrators need to identify applications that require higher priority over bandwidth on the network. This is done by identifying the traffic. Some common ways to identify traffic are Class of Service (CoS) and Differentiated Services Code Point. (DSCP).

Different applications are marked based on the sensitivity of the information they carry. Correctly marking applications will allow the network to categorize and prioritize data into different groups. After the data is categorized, QoS policies are applied to groups that require special treatment compared to other groups, known as queues. After the data is marked and the policy is created, the main task of the router or switch is to automatically move these packets to the front of the queue and send them immediately without delay.

How QoS Works

QoS sends data from one node to another by storing and forwarding, known as hop-by-hop configuration. This setup allows data to be transferred securely from source to destination even if the nodes are not permanently connected. QoS policies can be configured to identify and prioritize Real-Time Transport Protocol packets. (RTP).

RTP specializes in carrying and handling real-time audiovisual data transmissions. QoS also allows admins to manage traffic flow on LAN and WAN connections to keep them running smoothly and efficiently.

Network administrators need to remember that QoS can only function well if the devices connected between the sender and receiver are configured to understand packet priorities. The devices must be programmed to understand VIP packet priorities and know when to place them on the priority path. If QoS fails and the packet loses its priority, it means one of the devices in the network is not configured correctly.

Examples of QoS Usage

Here are some examples of QoS usage in various companies:

1. Bandwidth Management

QoS helps manage bandwidth, ensuring a smooth and efficient flow of data. Imagine streaming a high-definition video conference while someone else is downloading a large document. Without proper bandwidth control, the call can turn into a pixelated mess.

For example, the company creates specific rules for different types of traffic. VoIP traffic gets a high bandwidth limit while streaming has medium priority, and document downloads are classified as the lowest priority. This ensures that important communications are not disrupted even when the network is handling heavy loads.

2. Latency Mitigation

Latency can significantly affect the overall user experience. QoS allows companies to segment and prioritize traffic, which enhances the speed and efficiency of the network for critical applications prioritized by the company.

Achieving low latency and high QoS is also closely related to real-time monitoring and adaptive adjustments. For example, if the network monitoring tool detects congestion at a certain location, the system can dynamically reroute traffic through less congested paths. Of course, this can be achieved by using adequate monitoring tools.

3. Reducing Jitter

Jitter is the variation in packet arrival times. Jitter can affect real-time communications such as VoIP or video conferencing. The IT team can utilize QoS policies to reduce jitter and ensure a smooth network experience.

Sometimes, companies may need to manage multiple QoS policies for different types of traffic. For example, prioritizing VoIP applications and video conferencing software commonly used such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

4. Packet Loss Prevention

Packet loss occurs when data packets traversing the network fail to reach their destination. This can lead to poor performance, especially in real-time VoIP applications or video conferencing. Several techniques such as Forward Error Correction (FEC) or Packet Loss Concealment (PLC) are required to help recover or conceal lost packets.

5. Network Traffic Shaping

Traffic shaping requires controlling data flow to reduce latency, jitter, and packet loss. For example, when a company runs a VoIP application and starts downloading large documents. Traffic shaping allows the IT team to prioritize VoIP traffic over downloads, ensuring conversations run smoothly.

One way to shape network traffic is by categorizing different types of traffic and implementing policies for this purpose. For example, VoIP traffic is assigned high priority, while browser traffic receives normal priority. This traffic shaping ensures that important applications like VoIP get the bandwidth they need, even when the network is congested.

This centralized approach facilitates quick adaptation and response to changing network conditions, ensuring that companies can maintain performance without manually configuring individual network devices.

Because network conditions can change, what worked yesterday might not work today. Therefore, QoS policies need to be carefully planned and continuously monitored. It is very important to use a network monitoring tool that can provide real-time analysis and allow for easy and quick adjustments.As one of the most reliable network monitoring tools in Indonesia, Netmonk has been trusted by over 1000 companies, including Telkom Indonesia and TVRI. Find complete information about its services on the Netmonk website now!