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Originally Posted by akane1984
what is traffic shaping?
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the ISP filters traffic so that some data gets priority over other data - e.g. a voice over IP phone call is more important to reach its destination as a priority over someone at the same time downloading a unix distro or browsing home banking. following on from this downloading a uniz distro takes lower priority over browsing.
the ISP sets the priorities and can do it by the ports used or if being really smart by looking at the physical packet data going through their systems. all data transfered over the net is sent in 'packets' and via 'ports' - browsing usually uses port 80, person to person sending/sharing movies and other files usually uses other typical port numbers - so usually you can work out your priorities as an ISP by setting it up by port.
this is all sensible stuff on a reasonably funded network - ie. at peak times you need to protect against massive peaks so voip calls dont get buggered up between say 6pm and midnight. just as the power companies have to handle peak use during the break when corry is on and we all boil the kettle!
but traffic shaping is also another way to prop up an underfunded network instead of increasing capacity.
---------- Post added at 11:00 ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 ----------
and another abuse of traffic shapping is to priorise your own ISP's voip calls but voip calls from other independent providers - e.g. skype you could prioritise as the lowest priority - a covert way of putting skype and others out of business while promoting your own voip service.