Traffic Shaping and Queuing with ISP Contracts

When connecting to an ISP that implements policing, it is important to configure shaping to align with the ISP's requirements. This includes matching all traffic using Access Control Lists (ACLs) and shaping it below the ISP's policing rate to minimize the risk of packet drops.

Contracts with ISPs typically outline the policing performed by the ISP's infrastructure and any allowances for traffic bursting. The ISP's burst rates should be clearly documented in service contracts. This information is critical for configuring traffic shaping on an enterprise's edge network to prevent packet loss, ensure smooth operation, and avoid potential performance issues.

Furthermore, incorporating queuing mechanisms like Class-Based Weighted Fair Queuing (CBWFQ) and Low Latency Queuing (LLQ) can prioritize high-priority traffic in queues, essential for maintaining the performance of time-sensitive applications such as VoIP. Shaping inherently involves buffering to manage data flow, not only when the CIR (Committed Information Rate) is exceeded, but also to smooth traffic transmission.