CONFIGURING THE SWITCH
802.1p
Packets are prioritzed using the content of the VLAN-tag. The 802.1p field is held within the VLAN-tag of a packet. The field is three bits long so can hold eight values; 0 - 7 inclusive. When QoS Mode is set to 802.1p, the 802.1p Configuration table appears which allows a priority (normal or high) to be set for each of the eight values.
You can use the Prioritize Traffic drop-down list to quickly set the values in the 802.1p Configuration table. Select All Normal Priority to set all values to normal priority or select All High Priority to set all values to high priority. Use Custom if you want to set each value individually.
Note: Because end-stations, like PCs, are not usually VLAN aware, they do not create VLAN-tagged frames. As a result, this method of prioritization is not ideal when there are a lot of PCs connected to the switch.
DSCP
Packets are prioritized using the DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value.
The Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) is a six-bit field that is contained within an IP (TCP or UDP) header. The six bits allow the DSCP field to take any value in the range 0 - 63 inclusive. When QoS Mode is set to DSCP, the DSCP Configuration table is displayed, which allows a priority (normal or high) to be set for each of the DSCP values.
You can use the Prioritize Traffic drop-down list to quickly set the values in the DSCP Configuration table. Select All Normal Priority to set all values to normal priority or select All High Priority to set all values to high priority. Use Custom if you want to set each value individually.