Policy-based quality of service for Windows 2008

The quality of Service (QoS) policy in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista allows network administrators to prioritize traffic between specific clients and servers, or between application servers. Priority selection settings can determine the specific application name, specific resources and destination IP address, as well as specific resources and target TCP or UDP port. QoS policy settings are configured as part of a user or Computer Configuration Group Policy in the Active Directory.

To manage the use of broadband, administrators can configure a QoS policy that restricts output traffic. By limiting traffic, the QoS policy Service can limit the overall outward network traffic to a certain frequency. In order to determine the preferred delivery, traffic is marked with a value that distinguishes the service code point (DSCP). With network components that support QoS, routers or unlimited access points in the network infrastructure can replace the DSCP-flagged packets in different queues for different delivery content. Because cut-off points and priority markers occur at the network level, there is no need to modify the application.

For example, an administrator can configure a QoS policy to ensure that the traffic to a server that reaches a managed financial application is prioritized for users in the Finance Department to ensure that the financial Department is able to obtain the required data at peak times.