How to Define Traffic Descriptions

Traffic Classification rules allow you to assign VLAN membership and/or transmission priority to network traffic based on the traffic's classification type. Traffic descriptions are the part of a rule that defines this classification type. Classification types are based on layers 2, 3, and 4 of the OSI model, and traffic is classified according to specific layer 2/3/4 information contained in each frame. For more information, see Traffic Classification Rules.

The Traffic Description Wizard is used to define traffic descriptions for new rules, and to edit traffic descriptions of existing rules.

Instructions on:

• Accessing the Traffic Description Wizard
  • For a New Rule
  • For an Existing Rule
• Using the Traffic Description Wizard

Accessing the Traffic Description Wizard

How you access the Traffic Description Wizard depends on whether you are defining a traffic description for a new rule or an existing rule.

For a New Rule

1. In the Policy Manager left panel, select the Services tab. 
2. Expand either the Service Groups or Services folder and click on the service for which you want to create a rule.
3. From the menu bar, select Tools > Create Classification Rule. You can also right-click on the service and select the option from the menu.
4. Type the rule name in the highlighted box and press Enter. You can now use the associated right-panel tabs to define the rule.
5. Click on the Traffic Description tab.
6. Click Add to open the Traffic Description Wizard.

For an Existing Rule

1. In the Policy Manager left panel, select the Services tab. 
2. Expand either the Service Groups or Services folder.
3. Expand the Service and click on the rule you want to modify. Its associated tabs appear in the right panel, with the General tab open.
4. Click on the Traffic Description tab and select the traffic description in the right panel. Click Remove to delete the traffic description. 
5. Click Add to open the Traffic Description Wizard.

Using the Traffic Description Wizard

Note: If you modify an enabled rule's traffic descriptions, Policy Manager checks for conflicts with other rules in the services and roles with which the newly modified rule is associated. See Conflict Checking for more information.

1. In the Traffic Classification Layer window, select a Traffic Classification Layer and click Next. Each layer has multiple Classification Types. See Classification Types and their Parameters for a description of classification layers and types.
2. In the Traffic Classification Type window, select the desired Classification Type and click Next.
3. Each Classification Type requires certain parameters and/or values. See Classification Types and their Parameters for parameter information. Select and/or enter the required parameters and click Finish.
4. To apply the rule you have created or modified, click the Enforce button on the Policy Manager main tool bar, review the effects of enforcing on the Enforce Preview window (if it is enabled), then click Enforce on that window.

Related Information

• Traffic Classification Rules

• How to Create or Modify a Rule

• Actions Tab
• General Tab (Rule)
• Traffic Description Tab