Tag Archives: diffserv

Filtering DSCP

The second byte in the IPv4 header (aka “those bits you’ve probably never, ever looked at”) is used for Differentiated Services, or DiffServ. It’s split into two parts: the 6 most significant bits define the DSCP (differentiated services code point) and the two least significant bits are for ECN (explicit congestion notification). You can use DSCP to divide your traffic into different classes. For example, Asterisk might use the following DiffServ value, which corresponds EF (Expedited Forwarding):

DSCP  ECN
10111000

If your networking equipment is sufficiently aware, this traffic will receive preferential treatment.

You can filter these values pretty easily using the ip.dsfield.dscp display filter — just right-click on the DSCP field in the packet like so:

Applying a DSCP display filter

Applying a DSCP display filter

What if you need to use DSCP in a capture filter? Continue reading