Sophos Firewall: How to Configure QoS and understanding the conceptual difference between the shared and individual

Disclaimer: This information is provided as-is for the benefit of the Community. Please contact Sophos Professional Services if you require assistance with your specific environment.


Overview

The purpose of the Recommended Read is to instruct on how to configure QOS to limit user bandwidth.

Topology

Configuration 1: Rule Base

Step1: Trafic-Shaping Policy

 To limit the bandwidth to 10 Mbps, go to CONFIGURE > System services > Traffic Shaping.
             


Step2: Firewall rule
Go to PROTECT > Rules and policies> Add.



Step3:Testing of Results

Go to web browser and test on any speed test site (e.g. https://www.speedtest.net/)

Configuration 2: User Base

Step1: Creating User Base

Here, we’re using clientless users. Go to CONFIGURE > Authentication > Clientless users.


Step2: Traffic Shaping Policy

Under Traffic> Policy association, Click the Users Radio button.


Step3: Enabling User's Policy

Under the Firewall rules > Other security features. Select the policy created.




Step4: Results

Conceptual Difference between the Shared and Individual

Example for Individual concept:

#
4 users
One firewall rule
1QOS 1mbps individual
each will get 256

#
Same for two firewall rules
Two users each rule
1QOS 1mbps individual
Each will get 512

#
Now four rules for four users
One user for each firewall rule.
Each will get 1MBPS

Example for Shared concept:

4 users
One firewall rule
1QOS 1mbps Shared

#
Same for two firewall rules
Two users each rule, a total of 4 users
1QOS 1mbps shared
Each will get 256

Now four rules for four users
One user of each firewall rule.
Each will get 256

Individual - multiplying factor.
Shared - Within that QOS range.

Note - To illustrate the conceptual difference between the two options, we used 1 Mbps as an example.
To convert Mbps to KB/s, there is a link - https://www.gbmb.org/mbps-to-kbs

I hope this Recommended Read has helped you achieve your requirements and clarified your doubts.




Revamped RR Added Horizontal Lines Corrected Grammar and Font Size
[edited by: Erick Jan at 12:44 PM (GMT -7) on 25 Sep 2023]
Parents
  • Hello!

    Is there any way to disable User-based QoS for a certain Firewall rule? User-based QoS policies are applied to all Firewall rule that have the user, including LAN to LAN traffic.

    As an example: If you create a custom QoS policy for a certain user directly for LAN to WAN traffic, all other Firewall rules that have the same user as authentication will also fall to the same QoS policy.

    Because of this, if you have a 10 Mbit/s QoS policy for WAN, even the internal LAN to LAN traffic that doesn't need any QoS will also be limited to 10 Mbit/s

    Thanks!


    If a post solves your question use the 'Verify Answer' button.

    Ryzen 5600U + I226-V (KVM) v20 GA @ Home

    XG 115w Rev.3 8GB RAM v19.5 MR3 @ Travel Firewall

Reply
  • Hello!

    Is there any way to disable User-based QoS for a certain Firewall rule? User-based QoS policies are applied to all Firewall rule that have the user, including LAN to LAN traffic.

    As an example: If you create a custom QoS policy for a certain user directly for LAN to WAN traffic, all other Firewall rules that have the same user as authentication will also fall to the same QoS policy.

    Because of this, if you have a 10 Mbit/s QoS policy for WAN, even the internal LAN to LAN traffic that doesn't need any QoS will also be limited to 10 Mbit/s

    Thanks!


    If a post solves your question use the 'Verify Answer' button.

    Ryzen 5600U + I226-V (KVM) v20 GA @ Home

    XG 115w Rev.3 8GB RAM v19.5 MR3 @ Travel Firewall

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