We have one DSL connection 6 meg down / 1.5 up -- which costs ~$70 month (rural area).
The network is split between two buildings that are connected by a wireless bridge.

Currently we have the DSL modem/router that we have to use from the phone company, and a unmanaged switch at both locations.

What is the best way for me to setup some sort of QoS (preferably one I can control) to prioritize traffic.
I was looking to replace the switches with some new Cisco units that have QoS in them, but I'm not sure if I can control it the way I want. I've also thought about buying a go-between router and using it, or getting two routers -- one at the remote location and one at the base unit.

Skype / AT&T microcells get priortiy
VPN
Web (but not video)
Gaming
Web video
FTP/downloads
Mail

If anyone has a recommendation I'd love to hear it.

8/29/2010 5:53:43 PM

In terms of saving cash I would setup two subnets with the master router running DD-WRT.

DD-WRT has excellent prioritization techniques. If you're looking for more control than 'here' and 'there' (like application level) you'll probably want to prioritize the ports those applications use, or go with a much more expensive solution.

DD-WRT will cost you around $30 for a router from eBay and probably 3-4 hours to get it setup like you want. With two routers you can use one at the remote facility as well; enabling you an additional level of access controls.

Also, if you're running lots of connections (like if there are more than 3-4 connections on the remote location) you should look into running an ethernet cable. Wifi has lots of overages - an actual cable will clean up some latency issues.

[Edited on August 29, 2010 at 7:43 PM. Reason : more]

8/29/2010 7:37:48 PM

building are 1.2 miles apart so not ethernet isn't really an option.

How much is a more expensive option. $200-300 bucks is ok in my book.
I'll look into the DD-WRT though.

8/29/2010 7:49:36 PM

just curious, what are you doing to ensure reliable transmission over that distance? Standard wifi, even high gain, you're going to be losing packets like a mofo.

8/29/2010 8:21:36 PM

the engenius wireless bridge units know the range and have special programming to compensate for it.

From my computer (wireless at base location to remote transceiver)
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=2.153 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=2.151 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=2.438 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=4 ttl=64 time=2.156 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=5 ttl=64 time=2.299 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=6 ttl=64 time=2.235 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=7 ttl=64 time=2.157 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.50.2: icmp_seq=8 ttl=64 time=2.208 ms

8/29/2010 8:44:29 PM

You just need to install a router with DD-WRT installed on it between your network and your ISP's modem.

8/29/2010 10:11:54 PM

^

^^all the units I see have embedded QoS as well; are you sure you have enough bandwidth from the telco?

Also, I'm not sure a ping test will catch wifi transmission errors. The units will simply request the packet be retransmitted. The transmitted packets are the parts I would wonder about being dropped. Have you tested network throughput using multiple connections? It would be a tell-tale for loss in transmission. I normally test it with an FTP server and connect 2 clients to it. On one client I run 2-3 large files (10+GB) to saturate the bandwidth, then on the second client copy over a joomla install - thousands of tiny files.

It should provide an indication on whats happening. Of course you can roughly translate that into the same problem happening on your network: thousands of tiny files (like playing a game) coupled with relatively larger files - browsing the net, download/upload files, etc.

[Edited on August 30, 2010 at 3:10 AM. Reason : 0]

8/30/2010 3:01:16 AM

Rather than FTP, just use iPerf or jPerf.
Its been a while since I've used the tool, but I think you can make it show the number of retransmits/errors.

8/30/2010 4:08:36 AM

^^No need to slap your forehead over my comment. He asked a question in the first post and I reiterated that it was still his easiest and cheapest solution that would meet his needs.

8/30/2010 9:55:24 AM