2 Queue Trees Explained

1. Queue Trees Basics

Queue Trees in MikroTik RouterOS are a powerful tool for managing and prioritizing network traffic. They allow you to create a hierarchical structure of queues, where each queue can have multiple child queues. This hierarchical approach helps in organizing and managing traffic more efficiently.

2. Key Concepts of Queue Trees

a. Parent and Child Queues

In Queue Trees, a parent queue can have multiple child queues. The parent queue manages the overall bandwidth allocation, while the child queues handle specific types of traffic. This structure allows for granular control over how different types of traffic are managed.

For example, you can create a parent queue for the entire network and then create child queues for VoIP, web browsing, and file transfers. Each child queue can have its own bandwidth limits and priorities.

b. Bandwidth Allocation

Bandwidth allocation in Queue Trees is hierarchical. The parent queue allocates a certain amount of bandwidth to its child queues. Each child queue can then further allocate bandwidth to its own child queues, creating a nested structure.

For instance, if the parent queue is allocated 100 Mbps, it can distribute this bandwidth among its child queues. The VoIP queue might get 20 Mbps, the web browsing queue 50 Mbps, and the file transfer queue 30 Mbps.

c. Prioritization

Queue Trees allow you to prioritize traffic based on its importance. Higher priority queues are served first, ensuring that critical traffic like VoIP is not disrupted by less important traffic like file transfers.

For example, you can set the VoIP queue to have a higher priority than the file transfer queue. This ensures that voice calls are always clear and uninterrupted, even when the network is congested.

3. Practical Examples and Analogies

Example 1: Corporate Network

In a corporate network, you can create a parent queue for the entire network with a bandwidth limit of 1 Gbps. Under this parent queue, you can create child queues for different departments: HR, IT, and Sales. Each department queue can then have its own child queues for specific applications like email, web browsing, and file transfers.

This hierarchical structure ensures that each department gets the necessary bandwidth, and critical applications within each department are prioritized.

Example 2: Home Network

In a home network, you can create a parent queue for the entire network with a bandwidth limit of 500 Mbps. Under this parent queue, you can create child queues for different devices: Smart TV, gaming console, and smartphones. Each device queue can then have its own child queues for specific applications like streaming, gaming, and social media.

This structure ensures that streaming and gaming are prioritized, providing a smooth experience for users.

Analogies

Think of Queue Trees as a family tree. The parent queue is like the head of the family, managing resources and making decisions. The child queues are like the children, each with their own responsibilities and needs. The hierarchical structure ensures that resources are allocated efficiently and fairly.

By mastering Queue Trees in MikroTik, you can create a network that is both efficient and reliable, providing the necessary bandwidth and prioritization for critical applications.