Abstract
With the increase in traffic in a network beyond the network capacity, the service degrades. While most applications can cope with such degradations, real time or multimedia traffic cannot. Network administrators cannot keep pace with the rapid growth in computer network traffic simply by adding capacity (and increasing bandwidth). Instead, it is better to optimize the available bandwidth. Quality of Service (QoS1 ) mechanisms can provide the means to manage the network resources in an efficient manner.

This white paper discusses QoS as applicable in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN2 ) scenario, the benefits of QoS and the parameters that govern QoS in a network in general. Furthermore, discussed in detail is QoS in a WLAN environment and a study of the different techniques that can be applied to achieve the same. The reader is urged to have an understanding of the IEEE 802.11 protocol. This paper assumes that the reader is familiar with the 802.11 standard and protocols.

Author Amit Bansal

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