QoS
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Networking
| Stands for | Quality of service |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
QoS stands for Quality of service, a networking abbreviation.
Techniques that classify and prioritize network traffic so time-sensitive flows such as voice and video get bandwidth and low latency ahead of bulk downloads. QoS marks packets, queues them by class, and shapes or polices traffic when links are busy.
Example: Enable QoS on the router so video calls stay smooth while someone downloads a game.
Usage notes
IP packets carry priority marks in the DSCP field, and Ethernet frames in the 802.1p priority bits. QoS only helps where there is congestion; it cannot create bandwidth a link lacks. Markings are usually ignored between providers on the public internet, so QoS works best within networks one organization controls. Usually written with a lowercase o.
Related abbreviations
More networking abbreviations
- PoP – Point of presence
- POP3 – Post Office Protocol version 3
- PPPoE – Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet
- PPTP – Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
- PSK – Pre-shared key
- PTR – Pointer (record)
- QUIC – QUIC (originally Quick UDP Internet Connections)
- rDNS – Reverse DNS
- RDP – Remote Desktop Protocol
- RFC – Request for Comments
- RIP – Routing Information Protocol
- RIR – Regional internet registry