Header and Payload Compression
Header compression works by creating a context on both sides of a connection for each TCP/RTP data stream. The context contains header information for the stream so that data doesn’t need to be sent with every packet. For RTP, you can also send full headers periodically to refresh information. Header compression is only available for TCP and RTP.
To enable header compression,use:
R(config-if)# ip {rtp|tcp} header compression [passive|ietf-format|iphc-format] [periodic-refresh]
! periodic-refresh - RTP only
When using the passive keyword, compression will be used only for destinations that send compressed headers. Otherwise, all outgoing traffic will be compressed.
Periodic refreshes means sending full headers from time to time, but this is available only for RTP
The total number of context can be configured with:
R(config)# ip {rtp|tcp} compression-connections CONTEXTS
Take into account that one context is used for each directions, so a bidirectional communication will use twice as much contexts if configured on both sides.
Additional settings can be made with:
R(config-if)# ip header-compression ?
disable-feedback Switch off context status mechanism
max-header Maximim compressible header
max-period Number of Packets between refresh
max-time Time between refresh
recoverable-loss Maximum recoverable loss
To see the status of header compression, use:
R# show ip {rtp|tcp} header-compression
On Frame Relay interfaces, TCP Header compression is only available on interfaces where the encapsulation used is cisco, not ietf. Header compression can be configured per interface or subinterface, using commands that start with frame-relay ip {rtp|tcp} header-compression.
R(config-if)# frame-relay ip {rtp|tcp} header-compression [passive][periodic-refresh]
R(config-fi)# frame-relay ip {rtp|tcp} compression-connections CONTEXTS
When you configure on a multilink (sub)interface, header compression applies to all DLCIs. You can specifically disable compression on some DLCIs, using:
R(config-if)# frame-relay map PROTOCOL ADDRESS DLCI nocompress
If you only want to enable on some DLCIs, use:
R(config-if)# frame-relay map PROTOCOL ADDRESS DLCI compress {active|passive} [connections CONTEXTS] [periodic-refresh]
You can also configure header compression inside an outgoing policy for traffic matched by a class defintion. You should use the following command to enable header compression:
R(config-pmap-c)# compression [header [ip [rtp|tcp]]]
! If you do not specify rtp or tcp, both are compressed
! The policy-map can pe applied only outgoing
Another option is to use IPHC Profiles. First define the profile:
R(config)#iphc-profile PROFILE-NAME {ietf|van-jacobsen}
Then set compression options:
R(config-iphc)# ?
IPHC Profile configuration commands:
exit Exit from IPHC Profile configuration mode
feedback enable feedback
maximum set the limit for IPHC options
no Negate or set default values of a command
non-tcp enable non-tcp header-compression
recoverable-loss ECRTP Recoverable loss
refresh context refresh options
rtp enable rtp header-compression
tcp enable tcp header-compression
In the end apply the profile per interface:
R(config-if)# iphc-profile PROFILE-NAME
To verifu, use:
R# sh iphc-profile [PROFILE-NAME]
Payload compression is available on serial interfaces and it depends on the type of encapsulation. Most payload compression techniques are based on the Stacker or the Predictor algorithm:
Stacker algorithm tries to replace big chunks of data with index in a dictionary. It requires less memory and more CPU, it is more efficient, but less faster.
Predictor algorithm tries to predict the next character. It requires more memory and less CPU, it is less efficient but is faster.
When determining QoS byte counts, legacy QoS uses the data before compression, while the more modern MQC uses the data after compression.
To monitor compression, use:
R# show compress [details]
Payload compression options differ based on the encapsulation used:
! HDLC:
R(config-if)# encapsulation hdlc
R(config-if)# compress ?
stac stac compression algorithm
R(config-if)# encapsulation ppp
R(config-if)# compress ?
lzs lzs compression type
mppc MPPC compression type
predictor predictor compression type
stac stac compression algorithm
Per interface or subinterface:
R(config-if)# frame-relay payload-compression ?
FRF9 FRF9 encapsulation - standard based
data-stream cisco proprietary encapsulation
packet-by-packet cisco proprietary encapsulation (similar to Predictor)
Per VC:
R(config-if)# frame-relay map PROTOCOL ADDRESS DLCI payload-compression ?
FRF9 FRF9 encapsulation - standard based
data-stream cisco proprietary encapsulation
packet-by-packet cisco proprietary encapsulation (similar to Predictor)
Last modified 1yr ago