scan hardware

User scan hardware might result even though the network met the SLA (formal or otherwise). For example, the packet loss statistics over a certain period of time might be within bounds, but the user whose file transfer session timed out or whose print job was lost during a period of momentary congestion would most likely perceive it as a "network problem."

QoS is described aptly by an age-old cliche: It's only as strong as the weakest link. Optimally, every device (host, server, switch, or router) that handles the packet along its network path should employ QoS to ensure that the packet is not unduly delayed or lost between the endpoints. It is a popular myth that QoS is applicable only to slow-speed wide-area networks (WANs) or the Internet. Testing has shown that delay-sensitive applications, such as voice, suffer quality loss when QoS is not enabled on campus devices while scan hardware, such as Cisco IP phones and Cisco Catalyst switches