Multi-Level Priority Queues

The Multi-Level Priority Queues (MPQ) feature allows you to configure multiple priority queues for multiple traffic classes by specifying a different priority level for each of the traffic classes in a single service policy map. You can configure multiple service policy maps per device. Having multiple priority queues enables the device to place delay-sensitive traffic (for example, voice) on the outbound link before delay-insensitive traffic. As a result, high-priority traffic receives the lowest latency possible on the device.

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Prerequisites for Multi-Level Priority Queues

You must configure traffic classes using the class-map command.

Restrictions for Multi-Level Priority Queues

  • You cannot configure both the priority command and the priority level command for two different classes in the same policy map.

    The following is an example to configure the device on the Cisco RSP3 Module.
    
    Device> enable
    Device# configure terminal
    Device(config)# policy-map Map1
    Device(config-pmap)# class Bronze
    Device(config-pmap-c)# priority level 1 10000
    Device(config-pmap-c)# end
    
  • You cannot specify the same priority level for two different classes in the same policy map. For example, the device does not accept the following configuration:
    
    Device> enable
    Device# configure terminal
    Device(config)# policy-map Map1
    Device(config-pmap)# class Bronze
    Device(config-pmap-c)# priority level 1 10000
    Device(config-pmap-c)# exit
    Device(config-pmap)# class Gold
    Device(config-pmap-c)# priority level 1 10000
    Device(config-pmap-c)# end
    
  • You cannot configure the default queue as a priority queue at any level.

  • You cannot configure the bandwidth command and multi-level priority queues on the same class. For example, the device rejects the following configuration:
    
    policy-map P1
     class C1
      priority level 1
      bandwidth 200
    
  • You cannot configure the shape command and multi-level priority queues on the same class. For example, the device rejects the following configuration:
    
    policy-map P1
     class C1
      priority level 1
      shape average 56000
    
  • To convert a one-level (flat) service policy with multiple priority queues configured to a hierarchical multi-level priority queues service policy, you must first detach the flat service policy from the interface using the no service-policy command and then add a child policy map to it.

Information About Multi-Level Priority Queues

Benefits of Multi-Level Priority Queues

The MPQ feature allows you to configure multiple priority queues for multiple traffic classes by specifying a different priority level for each of the traffic classes in a single service policy map. You can configure multiple service policy maps per device.

Previously, devices could have only one strict priority queue per policy map for all delay-sensitive traffic—the device associated all priority traffic with this one single priority queue. However, having only one priority queue can cause significant delay in delivering traffic, especially if the device sends high-priority traffic (for example, voice) behind low-priority traffic (for example, video). Using class-based weighted fair queueing (CBWFQ) to reduce delay by heavily weighting one queue can affect the granularity of bandwidth allocations to the other queues. The MPQ feature addresses these issues and improves latency.

Functionality of Multi-Level Priority Queues

The priority command is used to specify that a class of traffic has latency requirements with respect to other classes. For multiple priority queues, you can use the priority level command to configure a level of priority service on a class in a policy map. Currently, the device supports two priority levels: level 1 (high) and level 2 (low). The device places traffic with a high-priority level on the outbound link ahead of traffic with a low-priority level. High-priority packets, therefore, are not delayed behind low-priority packets.

The device services the high-level priority queues until empty before servicing the next-level priority queues and non-priority queues. While the device services a queue, the service rate is as fast as possible and is constrained only by the rate of the underlying link or parent node in a hierarchy. If a rate is configured and the device determines that a traffic stream has exceeded the configured rate, the device drops the exceeding packets during periods of congestion. If the link is currently not congested, the device places the exceeding packets onto the outbound link.

When configuring MPQ on different traffic classes in a policy map, you must specify different priority levels for the traffic classes. For example, configure one traffic class to have priority level 2 and another class to have priority level 1.


Note

In a hierarchical MPQ configuration in which all traffic is sent through the level-2 priority queue only, the traffic sent through the level-2 priority queue receives the same treatment as the traffic sent through the level-1 priority queue.


You cannot configure the priority command and the priority level command on different classes in the same policy map.

Traffic Policing and Multi-Level Priority Queues

Bandwidth guarantees can be given to other classes only if traffic policing is enabled on the priority queue.

  • Unconditional traffic policing

    The following is an example of priority policing on the Cisco RSP3 Module.

    
    policy-map my_policy
      class voice
       priority 400000   <<< Indicates priority scheduling and traffic shape rate
      class gold
       bandwidth 400000  <<< Minimum guaranteed to class gold
    
  • Absolute priority queue (no traffic policing)

    If traffic policing is not configured, the priority traffic may consume the entire interface bandwidth.

How to Configure Multi-Level Priority Queues

Configuring Multi-Level Priority Queues in a Policy Map

Before you begin

The traffic classes, class maps, and policy maps must exist.

SUMMARY STEPS

  1. enable
  2. configure terminal
  3. policy-map policy-name
  4. class class-name
  5. priority level level
  6. end

DETAILED STEPS

  Command or Action Purpose
Step 1

enable

Example:


Device> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

configure terminal

Example:


Device# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3

policy-map policy-name

Example:


Device(config)# policy-map Premium

Creates or modifies a policy map and enters policy-map configuration mode.

  • Enter the name of the policy map.

Step 4

class class-name

Example:


Device(config-pmap)# class business

Specifies a traffic class and enters policy-map class configuration mode.

  • Enter the name of a previously configured traffic class.

Step 5

priority level level

Example:


Device(config-pmap-c)# priority level 2

Assigns priority to a traffic class at the priority level specified.

  • Enter the level of priority assigned to the priority class. Valid values are 1 (high priority) and 2 (low priority). The default is 1.

Note 

Do not specify the same priority level for two different classes in the same policy map.

Step 6

end

Example:


Device(config-pmap-c)# end

(Optional) Exits policy-map class mode.

Verifying Multi-Level Priority Queues

Procedure


Step 1

enable

Example:


Device> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

  • Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

show policy-map interface type number

Example:

Displays the packet statistics of all classes that are configured for all service policies either on the specified interface or subinterface or on a specific PVC on the interface.

  • Enter the interface type and number.

Step 3

exit

Example:


Device# exit

(Optional) Exits privileged EXEC mode.


Configuration Examples for Multi-Level Priority Queues

Example: Configuring Multi-Level Priority Queues

The following example shows how to configure multiple priority queues. The policy map named Business has two traffic classes: Bronze and Gold. Bronze traffic has a level 2 (low) priority, whereas Gold traffic has a level 1 (high) priority.


Device> enable
Device# configure terminal
Device(config)# policy-map Business
Device(config-pmap)# class Bronze
Device(config-pmap-c)# priority level 2
Device(config-pmap-c)# exit
Device(config-pmap)# class Gold
Device(config-pmap-c)# priority level 1
Device(config-pmap-c)# end

Note

Although a policer is not required, configure policing for priority traffic to prevent bandwidth starvation of low-priority traffic. When policing is configured, the traffic rate is policed at the police rate for each of the priority queues.


Example: Verifying Multi-Level Priority Queues

The following is partial sample output from the show policy-map interface command.


Device# show policy-map interface Gigbit/TenGig 2/1/0
 
Gigbit/TenGig 2/1/0
Service-policy output: P1
Queue statistics for all priority classes:
.
.
.
Class-map: Gold (match-all)
0 packets, 0 bytes				/*Updated for each priority level configured.*/
5 minute offered rate 0 bps, drop rate 0 bps
Match: ip precedence 2
Priority: 0 kbps, burst bytes 1500, b/w exceed drops: 0
Priority Level 2:
0 packets, 0 bytes

Additional References for Multi-Level Priority Queues

Related Documents

Related Topic

Document Title

QoS commands: complete command syntax, command modes, command history, defaults, usage guidelines, and examples

Cisco IOS Quality of Service Solutions Command Reference

Priority queues, creating classes, class maps, and policy maps

“Applying QoS Features Using the MQC” module

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