Packetshaper FAQ
Packeteer • PacketShaper • PacketShaper 7500 • PacketShaper 10000 • PacketShaper 3500 • Packetshaper 1400 • PacketShaper 1700
Commonly asked questions when choosing the correct Packetshaper.
What is a Packetshaper traffic class?
A logical grouping of traffic flows that share the same characteristics — a specific application, protocol, address, or set of addresses.
What is an IP flow?
A specific instance of a connection, session, or packet-exchange activity by an identified traffic class.
What is a partition?
A bandwidth pipe assigned to a given traffic class to protect or restrict all the flows in that class.
What is a shaping policy?
A rule assigned to a given traffic class that defines how a single flow will be handled during bandwidth allocation.
What is a matching rule?
A set of characteristics that identifies a specific traffic type. Matching rules are used to create traffic classes.
What is an IP host?
A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP network, including the Internet. Each host has a unique IP address.
What is an active tunnel?
A communications link between two points; the data in the encapsulated link is compressed between the two end points of the tunnel.
What does the shaping metric mean?
Example: A 7500 can be keyed at 0Mbps, 10Mbps, 45Mbps, 100Mbps or 200Mbps. If you just want the monitoring abilities, then get a 7500-L000M – also known as a Packetseeker, because it doesn’t shape any traffic. If you have a 10Mpbs link or less – like a couple of T1s, then get a 45M key. If you have a DS3, then get a 45Mbps key, and so on. The amound of bandwidth out to the internet is the amount you need to be able to shape with the Packetshaper.
Will Packeteer be a point of failure in my network?
No. Packeteer is equipped with hardware bypass that makes it effectively a piece of wire if it fails. If you have fiber interfaces, some extra hardware is necessary to make this happen.
