Patent ID: 8094665

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving, with a network device that supports at least three network protocols used within a network, a packet having a first class of service (CoS) information that conforms to a first one of the at least three network protocols, wherein the first CoS information specifies a class of service for the packet in a format that conforms to the first one of the at least three network protocols; mapping, with the network device, the first CoS information to a second CoS information using intermediate CoS information that provides a universal classification mechanism independent of: (i) any layer two protocols used within the network, and (ii) protocols of layers on top of layer two protocols used within the network, wherein the second CoS information specifies a class of service for the packet in a format that conforms to a second one of the at least three network protocols; and outputting, with the network device, the packet with the second CoS information.