The Type Of Service (TOS) bits are a set of four-bit flags in the IP header.
When any one of these bit flags is set, routers may handle the datagram differently
than datagrams with no TOS bits set.
Each of the four bits has a different purpose and only one of the TOS bits may be set at
any time, so combinations are not allowed.
The bit flags are called Type of Service bits because they enable the application transmitting
the data to tell the network the type of network service it requires.
The classes of network service available are:
Minimum delay:
Used when the time it takes for a datagram to travel from the source host to
destination host (latency) is most important.
A network provider might, for example, use both optical fiber and satellite network connections.
Data carried across satellite connections has farther to travel and their latency is generally
therefore higher than for terrestrial-based network connections between the same endpoints.
A network provider might choose to ensure that datagrams with this type of service set are not
carried by satellite.
Maximum throughput:
Used when the volume of data transmitted in any period of time is important.
There are many types of network applications for which latency is not particularly important but
the network throughput is; for example bulk-file transfers. A network provider might choose to route data-
grams with this type of service set via high-latency, high-bandwidth routes, such as satellite connections.
Maximum reliability:
Used when it is important that you have some certainty that the data will arrive at the destination
without retransmission being required.
The IP protocol may be carried over any number of underlying transmission mediums.
While SLIP and PPP are adequate datalink protocols, they are not as reliable as carrying IP over some other
network, such as an X.25 network. A network provider might make an alternate network available, offering
high reliability, to carry IP that would be used if this type of service is selected.
Minimum cost:
Used when it is important to minimize the cost of data transmission. Leasing bandwidth on a satellite for a
transpacific crossing is generally less costly than leasing space on a fiber-optical cable over the same distance,
so network providers may choose to provide both and charge differently depending on which you use.
In this scenario, your “minimum cost” type of service bit may cause your datagrams to be routed via the lower-cost
satellite route.
voice (RTP):
Sorry, but i could not find any good descriptions on this.
Use this setting for VoIP traffic like RTP.
I use this value for DNS ( udp Port 53 )
voice signalling / voice control protocols:
Sorry, but i could not find any good descriptions on this.
Use this setting for signaling protocols like the ones listed here.