Cisco WAN and Application Optimization Solution Guide
Traffic Classification
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Traffic Classification

Table Of Contents

Traffic Classification

5.1  Payload-Based Traffic Classification

5.2  Deep Packet Inspection

5.2.1  Pattern Analysis

5.2.2  Numerical Analysis

5.2.3  Behavior & Heuristic Analysis

5.2.4  Protocol/State Analysis

5.3  Cisco Classification Technologies

5.3.1  QoS Access Lists

5.3.2  DPI Engines

5.4  Packet Markings

5.4.1  L2 Packet Markings

5.4.2  L3 Packet Markings

5.5  Summary

5.6  References

Traffic Classification

In a typical network, the traffic through the network is heterogeneous and consists of flows from multiple applications and utilities. Many of these applications are unique and have their own requirements with respect to network parameters such as delay, jitter, etc. Unless these requirements are met, the quality and usability of these applications will be severely compromised. While meeting these requirements in a Local Area Network (LAN) with its huge bandwidth might be easy, it usually is a challenge to meet them on the WANs, which have bandwidth constraints.

Thus, traffic management on the WANs must exist in order to properly prioritize different applications across the limited WAN bandwidth and ensure that these requirements are met. In addition, a proper understanding of the applications and protocols in the network traffic is essential for any network manager to implement appropriate security policies. In a real network, user perception also matters. Although a user application might allow large delays or jitter, the user might be very sensitive to long wait times. Managing network traffic thus requires a judicious balance of all these priorities.

Classification of traffic is only the first step that helps identify different applications and protocols that exist in a network. Various actions, such as monitoring, discovery, control, and optimization can then be performed on the identified traffic with the end goal of improving the network performance. Typically, once the packets are classified (identified) as belonging to a particular application or protocol, they are marked or flagged. These markings or flags help the router determine appropriate service policies to be applied for those flows.

In other words:

Classification is a technique that identifies the application or protocol, and

Marking is the process that colors the packets (or just lets them through untouched) based on certain classification policies, which are used by the routers internally, or further downstream (depending on the kind of coloring) to provide appropriate treatment to those packets.

There are two other approaches to classifying traffic:

Classifying the packet based on the payload, that is, Payload-Based Classification. In this method, packets are classified based on the fields of the payload, such as Layer 4 ports (source or destination or both)

Classification based on a statistical method that uses statistical analysis of the traffic behavior like inter-packet arrival, session time, and so on

The payload-based method is most prevalent. However, more often than not, it fails with encrypted and tunneled traffic. The Payload-Based Classification technique can be divided into generic or basic payload analysis or advanced payload analysis. The generic approach to traffic classification is based on information in the IP header. Typically, the following information is looked at.

Layer 3 address (IP address)

Layer 2 address (MAC)


This technique is very rudimentary and does not provide classification for most of the applications. A classification method based on the placement of traffic (ingress interface) also exists, but is not widely used. (Therefore, it will not be examined here.)

All generic classification techniques based on Destination IP address, Source IP address, or IP protocol, etc. are limited in their ability as the inspection is limited to the IP header only. Similarly, classifying based on Layer 4 ports only is also limited. The problem with this approach is that not all current applications use standard ports. Some applications even obfuscate themselves by using well the defined ports of other applications (e.g., IM applications may run over TCP port 80, which is generally used for HTTP). Hence, the Layer 4 port mechanism of application identification is not always reliable.

Advanced classification techniques rely on deep packet inspection (DPI). There are varieties of DPI techniques, such as pattern analysis or behavior analysis, as detailed in section "Deep Packet Inspection". These are much more reliable than the generic classification technique.

Figure 5-1 illustrates various classification methods and techniques.

Figure 5-1 Classification Methods and Techniques

5.1  Payload-Based Traffic Classification

Payload-based classification methods can also be divided based on the processing method used for classifying traffic. Regardless of the method, of which there are four, all of them use one or more payload inspection techniques like Deep Packet Inspection to verify and classify traffic.

1. Packet-Based No State (PBNS) is the simplest and involves checking the payload for certain parameters like port numbers. It is less taxing on the CPU. For example, a simple access-list based port matching like the one below can identify all Telnet traffic.

access-list 101 permit tcp any any eq telnet

This method typically utilizes the basic payload-based classification technique. However, as already discussed, it is not always accurate or fully usable as the classification is on a per-packet basis without regard to an application session and is also limited by how deep inside the packet the verification of the flow goes.

2. Packet-Based per Flow State (PBFS) method is based on flows. A flow is defined as a sequence of packets from a sending application to a receiving application. In this method, a table to track each session based on the 5 tuples (source address, destination address, source port, destination port, and the transport protocol) is maintained for each flow. Since a flow has multiple packets, once a packet is marked as belonging to an application all subsequent packets in the flow need to be marked as such. For example, in a typical VoIP call, H.323 is used for setting up the call and then RTP/RTCP is used for carrying the actual voice traffic. Once a H.323 flow is identified and marked, subsequent RTP/RTCP flows to the same source IP/destination IP pair are tagged with the same parameters.

3. Message-Based per Flow State (MBFS) method is similar to PBFS, except that this operates on messages instead of packets. A message is protocol dependent and is an information element that can span multiple packets or a single packet can contain multiple messages. Since it operates on messages there needs to be some sort of TCP normalizer to take care of IP fragments and TCP Segments. Since entire messages have to be considered, there is a considerable increase in memory requirements.

4. In the Message-Based per Protocol State (MBPS) method, not only is the application tracked but also what the application is transmitting. In other words, complete knowledge of the protocol state machine is needed to implement this method. This is the most taxing method on the CPU and has more memory requirements too.

The last three methods, PBFS, MBFS, and MBPS, utilize advanced classification techniques that are based on DPI.

5.2  Deep Packet Inspection

Although most general applications can be determined or at least guessed based on L3 and L4 information, additional granular sub-classes within applications (like URLs) or specific kinds of messages within the application (like voice within IM streams) are required. For proper classification and sub-classification, it is necessary to do a deep packet inspection (DPI) and verify what the application is.

Most DPI mechanisms use Signature Analysis to understand and verify different applications. Signatures are unique patterns that are associated with every application. In other words, each application is studied for its unique characteristics and a reference database is created. The classification engine then compares the traffic against this reference to identify the exact applications. That means the reference needs to be updated periodically to keep current with new applications as well as new developments in existing protocols.

There are different Signature Analysis methods. The most popular methods include:

Pattern analysis

Numerical analysis

Behavioral analysis

Heuristic analysis

Protocol/state analysis

5.2.1  Pattern Analysis

Some applications embed certain patterns (bytes/characters/string) in the payload of the packets, which can be used by the classification engine to identify such protocols. Depending on the application, these patterns may not necessarily be always located at a specific deterministic offset. The patterns might be present in any position in the packet. Still, the classification engine can identify these packets. However, not all protocols embed special pattern, string, or characters in the packets and hence this approach will not work for them.

5.2.2  Numerical Analysis

Numerical Analysis involves looking into the numerical characteristics of packets such as payload size, number of response packets, and offsets. Older Skype versions (pre-2.0) are good cases for such analysis. The request from client is an 18-byte message and the response it receives is usually 11 bytes. As the analysis may be spread over multiples packets, the classification decision might take more time.

5.2.3  Behavior & Heuristic Analysis

Occasionally, analyzing the traffic behavior would produce greater insight into the applications that may be running. This behavior can be used to classify such applications. Similarly, by doing a statistical (heuristic) analysis of the inspected packets, the underlying protocol can be classified. Behavior and Heuristic analysis typically go hand in hand and many of the anti viral programs use these techniques to identify viruses and worms.

5.2.4  Protocol/State Analysis

In some applications, the protocol follows a certain sequence of steps or actions. For example, a typical FTP GET request from a client is followed by a valid response from the server. Such protocol conformance can be used to classify such applications

As more applications start encrypting traffic, it becomes a challenge for any classification mechanism to classify the applications accurately. With encryption, all upper layer information becomes invisible to DPI mechanisms. Behavior and heuristic analysis methods can help to identify some applications. Newer classification mechanisms that use behavior and heuristic analysis methods (along with intelligent algorithms, such as clustering algorithms) can help identify encrypted traffic.

None of these methods, on their own, can provide satisfactory classification of all applications. Therefore, in a typical deployment these methods are used together.

5.3  Cisco Classification Technologies

Cisco classification technologies include QoS access lists and DPI engines.

5.3.1  QoS Access Lists  QoS Software-based L3/L4 Access Lists

Cisco IOS provides the ability to configure Layer 3 or Layer 4 based access lists that can be used with the QoS to classify different types of traffic. Specific QoS classes can be configured to use different access lists to match traffic and based on the match the packets can be marked. The matching can be based on Layer 3 addresses (source/destination IP), Layer 4 protocol or ports, or a combination thereof.  Classification with QoS ACLs in hardware

In addition to software-based ACLs, Cisco platforms like 6500 & GSR provide the ability to do ACL lookups in hardware. For example in a 6500 platform, these ACLs can be programmed in Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) and lookups performed against those entries. However, it should be noted that TCAMs have finite memory and without careful planning, the resources can be exhausted. TCAM lookups are much faster than traditional software lookups because they are performed in hardware, so classification based on TCAM lookups is much faster.

5.3.2  DPI Engines

DPI engines can be co-resident in the software or can be dedicated hardware. Both have advantages and disadvantages. While a dedicated hardware provides speed and versatility, the cost of deploying such a box restricts their usage to high traffic volume environments like a Data Center or a large Enterprise Branch office. Cisco's Service Control Engine (SCE) is a good example of a dedicated hardware DPI appliance. Software-based DPI engines are cost effective, but they do consume CPU cycles and hence can be deployed only at low or medium traffic volume environments such as those found in a small or medium Enterprise Branch Office.  Service Control Engine (SCE)

Cisco Service Control Engine (SCE) is a DPI device that can do DPI and detect traffic patterns at line rates. SCE incorporates many DPI technologies such as protocol/state analysis, pattern analysis, and behavioral and heuristic analysis. SCE can also do subscriber-level classification.

The Cisco SCE can be deployed in-band or out-of-band. It is typically deployed in the Data Center. If it is deployed in band, all the traffic in the network passes through SCE. If it is deployed out of band then a copy of all the traffic is passed onto SCE by the DC switch. It should be noted that in out of band mode, the SCE can only perform monitoring.  Network Based Application Recognition (NBAR)

NBAR is an application-aware classification feature in IOS. NBAR can look deep inside a packet and do stateful analysis of the information in the packet. It can recognize a number of applications, including ones that use ephemeral ports. Even with a given protocol, NBAR can look so deep inside the packets that it can categorize packets that are of the same protocol, but with different protocol-specific parameters. For example, NBAR can classify based on the URL for HTTP packets and based on ICA traffic for CITRIX ICA.

Typically, QoS and NBAR are used in conjunction. NBAR is used to recognize specific applications and QoS is used to mark them and provide appropriate treatment based on the markings.

5.4  Packet Markings

Once the flow and packets have been identified, they need to be marked so that appropriate service policies can be applied on them. The markings or flags can be set in a number of ways: for IP, Type of Service (ToS) or Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP); for Ethernet packets, VLAN priority, etc. However, L3 markings are the most widely used method.

5.4.1  L2 Packet Markings

Many popular Layer 2 technologies like Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay (FR), and Ethernet provide options for marking the packets to help provide differentiated treatment. The disadvantage with all L2 markings is that they are limited to their L2 domain.  ATM Marking

ATM networks use simple cell marking of the Cell Loss Priority (CLP) bit on the cell header to indicate whether the cell can be dropped in times of congestion. A typical ATM Cell consists of a 5-byte header and 48 byte payload. Figure 5-2 illustrates an ATM cell header and the location of the CLP bit.

Figure 5-2 ATM Cell Header

As Figure 5-2 indicates, if the CLP bit is set to "1," the cell can be dropped in times of congestion. Traditionally, an ATM switches is used to mark the CLP bit. However, this functionality was added to CISCO IOS as a part of enhanced QoS feature set. In a typical network, the user may choose to mark noncritical traffic flowing through the ATM switches with the CLP bit. This will ensure bandwidth availability for critical traffic in times of congestion.  Frame Relay Marking

Similar to the CLP bit on the ATM header, the Frame Relay Header also has a bit called Discard Eligible (DE) to indicate whether the frame can be dropped in times of congestion. Figure 5-3 illustrates a typical Frame Relay Header.

Figure 5-3 Frame Relay Header

As in the ATM case, the DE bit can be set for non-critical traffic to help alleviate congestion.  Ethernet Marking

The IEEE 802.1p standard provides traffic class expediting and dynamic multicast filtering. It enables Layer 2 switches to prioritize traffic. The 802.1p defines 3 bits in the header for classification, which helps classifying traffic into eight different traffic classes. It should be noted that 802.1p is an extension of 802.1Q standard and they work together. Figure 5-4 shows an Ethernet 802.1q frame and the TAG byte where the Priority bits are located.

Figure 5-4 Ethernet 802.1Q Frame

IEEE has put forth recommendations on various traffic types, corresponding traffic classes, and priorities to be used with 802.1p standard. They are listed in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1 Traffic Classes to Priority Mapping

Traffic Type
Traffic class

Bulk transfers, Games etc.



Less than 10 millisecond delay



Less then 100 millisecond delay



Some important application

Controlled Load


Best Effort for important users

Excellent Effort


Ordinary LAN priority

Best Effort


High requirement to get through to maintain and support the network infrastructure

Network Control


5.4.2  L3 Packet Markings

Similar to Layer 2 headers, the IP header has fields that can be used to classify traffic into treatment groups. The most widely used L3 marking techniques are Type of Service (ToS) and DSCP. Figure 5-5 shows a typical IP header.

Figure 5-5 \IP Header  ToS

ToS was originally defined in RFC 791 and 795 and was further modified/updated by other RFCs like RFC 1122, RFC 1123, and RFC1349. Although the field has been there for quite sometime, it has not been widely used. Its use has been superseded by DSCP today. The ToS fields are shown in Figure 5-6:

Figure 5-6 ToS Fields

IP Precedence - Table 5-2 details the precedence bits and their possible values:

Table 5-2 ToS Precedence Bits and their values
















Flash Override






Internetwork Control



Network Control

Delay - when set to 1, the packet requests low delay.

Throughput - when set to 1, the packet requests high throughput.

Reliability - when set to '1,' the packet requests high reliability.  ToS Byte


IP precedence—three bits (P2 to P0)


ECN — two bits  DSCP

Differentiated Service Code Point (DSCP) was defined in RFC 2474 and RFC 2475. DiffServ (DS) has more priority levels than that of ToS because DS has more priority bits. DiffServ uses the same three most significant like ToS to define priority, but uses the next three bits to further refine them. DS fields are used to determine the per-hop behavior (PHB) of the packet. The following byte layouts illustrates the difference between ToS and DiffServ.  DiffServ Field


DSCP—six bits (DS5-DS0)

ECN—two bits

The ECN bits were not in the original DSCP RFCs. They were later added later by RFC 3168 to allow for congestion notification in the path.

RFC 2597 for DiffServ defines Assured Forwarding (AF) PHB that can be used by a service provider to provide different forwarding assurances based on different AF classes. There are four different AF classes each with three different drop probabilities.

RFC 2598 for DiffServ defines Expedited Forwarding (EF) PHB. "The EF PHB can be used to build a low loss, low latency, low jitter, assured bandwidth, and end-to-end service through DS (Diffserv) domains. Such a service appears to the endpoints like a point-to-point connection or a "virtual leased line." This service has also been described as "Premium service." Codepoint 101110 is recommended for the EF PHB.

All the PHBs require vendor support to implement and not all vendors fully support them.  Table 5-3 shows the guidelines for DSCP service classes as defined by RFC 4594.

Table 5-3 DSCP to Service Class Mapping

Service Class Name
DSCP Values
Application Example

Network Control



Network routing




IP telephony bearer




IP telephony signalling

Multimedia Conferencing

AF41, AF42, AF43

100010, 100100, 100110

H.323/V2 video conferencing (adaptive)

Real-Time Interactive



Video conferencing and interactive gaming

Multimedia Streaming

AF31, AF32, AF33

011010, 011100, 011110

Streaming video and audio on demand

Broadcast Video



Broadcast TV and live events

Low-Latency Data

AF21, AF22, AF23

010010, 010100, 010110

Client/server transactions, Web-based ordering





High-Throughput Data

AF11, AF12, AF13

001010, 001100, 001110

Store and forward applications


DF (CS0)


Undifferentiated applications

Low-Priority Date



Any flow that has no BW assurance


5.5  Summary

Classification involves proper identification of different application flows and packets in the traffic and their appropriate marking. Once the packets are classified, the router can apply appropriate service policies for those packets. Typically, QoS is used to provide appropriate treatment to different traffic based o the configured policies. As was discussed earlier, each application has its own characteristics and requirements. With the limited WAN bandwidth, QoS policies help in providing different treatments for different traffic classes. Various QoS mechanisms such as Congestion Management, Congestion Avoidance, Traffic Policing/Shaping, and Link Efficiency exist that can be used to manage the WAN bandwidth.

5.6  References

1. Classification Overview:

2. Implementing QOS policies with DSCP:

3. RFC 1122, Requirements for Internet Hosts - Communication Layers, R. Braden, 1989.

4. RFC 1123, Requirements for Internet Hosts - Application and Support, R. Braden, 1989.

5. RFC 1349, Type of Service in the Internet Protocol Suite, P. Almquist, 1992.

6. RFC 2474, Definition of the Differentiated Services Field (DS Field) in the IPv4 and IPv6 Headers, K. Nichols et al., 1998.

7. RFC 2475, An Architecture for Differentiated Service, S. Blake et al., 1998.

8. RFC 2597, Assured Forwarding PHB Group, J. Heinanen et al., 1999.

9. RFC 3168, The Addition of Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) to IP, K. Ramakrishnan, S. Floyd, and D. Black, 2001.

10. RFC 4594, Configuration Guidelines for DiffServ Service Classes, J. Babiarz et al., 2006.