WFQ and CBWFQ Comparison

The following table compares Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ) and Class Based Weighted Fair Queuing:

FeatureWeighted Fair Queuing (WFQ)Class-Based Weighted Fair Queuing (CBWFQ)
DefinitionAutomatically allocates bandwidth based on flow weight and size.Extends WFQ by allowing user-defined classes for traffic.
Traffic DifferentiationDifferentiates based on flows and IP precedence.Differentiates based on predefined traffic classes.
Configuration ComplexityMinimal configuration required; no user-defined classes.Requires user-defined class maps and policy maps for configuration.
ScalabilityLimited scalability for large numbers of flows.More scalable; handles traffic in broader, user-defined categories.
FlexibilityLess flexible; relies on automatic flow recognition.Highly flexible; allows explicit bandwidth allocation to classes.
Bandwidth AllocationProportional to the flow weight.Explicitly configured per class, with strict bandwidth guarantees.
Use CaseBest for environments with mixed flow types and no strict needs.Best for environments requiring granular control over bandwidth.
Support for PriorityNo strict prioritization; all flows are weighted.Supports low-latency queuing (LLQ) for strict priority traffic.
Latency SensitivityMay have higher latency for critical traffic.Can prioritize latency-sensitive traffic (e.g., voice) with LLQ.
Resource RequirementsModerate resource usage.Higher resource usage due to classification and policy enforcement.

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