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Configure Business Policy

VeloCloud provides an enhanced Quality of Service feature called Business Policy. Orchestrator allows users to configure business policy rules at the Profile and Edge levels. The business policy uses parameters such as source IP address/port, destination IP address/port, domain name, address and port group, applications, application categories, and DSCP tags to create business policy rules. Operators, Partners, and Admins of all levels can create a business policy.

This topic contains the following sections:

Configure Business Policies

The Business Policy tab allows users to configure rules at the Profile level. The system also supports overriding these Profile rules specifically at the Edge-level.

Before you begin:
  • Ensure that users have the details of IP addresses configured in the network devices.
  • For an Enterprise user to configure the Customizable QoE settings, an Operator Super user must select the Customizable QoE checkbox by navigating to Global Settings > Customer Configuration > Additional Configuration > Global > Feature > Access .

Business Policy Rules now support Segment-awareness. The Segment drop-down menu at the top of the screen lists all configurable Segments. By default, the system selects the Global Segment [Regular] Segment. When users choose a Segment from the menu, the Configure Business Policy area displays its associated settings and options. For additional information. see Configure Segments.

Configure Business Policy for a Profile

Note: User IDs with Customer Support privileges grant read-only access to Orchestrator objects. Users cannot create, configure, or update objects.

Arista examines traffic to identify application behavior, service objectives (High, Medium, or Low), and Edge WAN link conditions. Using these insights, the Business Policy optimizes application performance by managing queuing, bandwidth utilization, link steering, and network error mitigation.

  1. In the SD-WAN service of the Enterprise portal, go to Configure > Profiles . The Profiles page displays the existing Profiles.
  2. Go to the link to a Profile, and then select the Business Policy tab. Alternatively, users can select the View link in the Biz. Pol column of the Profile.
  3. The following screenshot displays the existing predefined business policy rules. The Configure Business Policy section displays the business policy rules listed in order of highest precedence. The system manages network traffic by identifying its characteristics and matching them to the rule with the highest precedence. Users can use the predefined rules or create custom ones by selecting the +ADD button.
    Figure 1. Configure Business Policy
  4. Users can configure the following options:
    Table 1. Configure Business Policy - Options and Descriptions
    Option Description
    Business Policy Rules
    Add Creates a new business policy. For additional information, see Create Business Policy Rule.
    Delete Deletes the selected business policies.
    Clone Duplicates the selected business policy.
    SD-WAN Traffic Class and Weight Mapping Defines traffic classes with specific priorities and service classes, and map their associated scheduler weights. For additional information, see Overlay QoS CoS Mapping.
    Additional Settings  
    SD-WAN Overlay Rate Limit Configures rate limit for tunnel traffic. For additional information, see Tunnel Shaper for Service Providers with Partner Gateway.
    Customizable QoE Configures the minimum and maximum latency threshold values, in the range 1ms to 1000ms, for Voice, Video, and Transactional application categories. Selecting 'Reset All To Default' resets all values to their default settings. The following note lists the default values under the table.
    Sort Sort the business policy rules using the following options:
    • Sort by category
    • Sort by segment aware
    View From the View drop-down menu, select:
    • Expand All - Expands and displays all business policy-related details and settings.
    • Collapse All - Collapses all business policy-related details and settings.
    Note:
    • The default latency threshold values are:
      Table 2. Default Latency Threshold Values
      Application Category Good to Fair Fair to Bad
      Voice 25 65
      Video 30 65
      Transactional 50 80
      The Good to Fair value must always be less than the Fair to Bad value.
    • Modifying Customizable QoE values triggers an event on the Monitor > Events page.
    • Only Edge versions 5.2.0 and above support Customizable QoE configurations.
    • Tunnels to a Gateway automatically inherit any threshold changes users apply to the associated Edge.
  5. Profiles automatically push configurations to all associated Edges. To customize a specific site, override these configurations or add unique business policy rules at the Edge level.

    Configure Business Policy for an Edge

    1. In the SD-WAN service of the Enterprise portal, select Configure > Edges . The Edges page displays the existing Edges.
    2. Go to the link to an Edge, and then select the Business Policy tab. Alternatively, users can select the View link in the Business Policy column of the Edge. The Configure Business Policy page appears.
      Figure 2. Configure Business Policy
    3. The Rules From Profile section displays the business policy rules and settings that the Edge inherits from its associated Profile. To edit existing rules or add new ones for a specific Edge, select the Override checkbox. The Edge Overrides section then shows new and modified rules.

Create Business Policy Rule

The Business Policy steers traffic, manages bandwidth, and ensures Quality of Service (QoS) based on criteria like application, source, and destination. Operators, Partners, and Admins can create these policies to match parameters such as IP addresses, ports, and protocols. The Business Policy compares each data packet against the specified match conditions. When a packet matches these conditions, the system performs the associated actions. If a packet matches no parameters, the system applies a default action.

Before you begin:

Ensure that users have the details of the IP addresses of their network.

  1. In the SD-WAN service of the Enterprise portal, go to Configure > Profiles . The Profiles page displays the existing Profiles.
  2. Go to the link to a Profile or select the View link in the Device column of the Profile. The Device tab displays the configuration options.
  3. Select the Business Policy tab.

    From the Profiles page, users can navigate to the Business Policy page directly by selecting the View link in the Biz.Pol column of the Profile.

  4. On the Business Policy page, select + ADD. It displays the Add Rule window.
    Figure 3. Add Rule - Match Tab
  5. Enter the Rule Name and select the IP version. Users can configure the Source and Destination IP addresses according to the selected IP version, as follows:
    • IPv4 and IPv6 – Configures both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses in the matching criteria. In this mode, users can select IP addresses from Object Groups that contain both types of Address Groups. The system selects this address type by default.
    • IPv4 – Applies to traffic with only IPv4 addresses as source and destination.
    • IPv6 – Applies to traffic with only IPv6 addresses as source and destination.
      Note:
      • When users upgrade, the system moves Business Policy rules from previous versions to IPv4 mode.
      • Symantec WSS integration supports only IPv4.
  6. On the Match tab, configure the match criteria for Source, Destination, and Application traffic.
    Table 3. Match Tab - Options and Descriptions
    Option Description
    Source Specifies the source for packets. Select any of the following options:
    • Any- Allows all source addresses by default.
    • Object Group- Allows to select a combination of address group and service group.
      • The IPv4 address type matches the traffic source only against IPv4 addresses within the Address Groups.
      • The IPv6 address type matches the traffic source only against IPv6 addresses within the Address Groups.
      • The IPv4 and IPv6 address type matches the traffic source against both address versions within the Address Groups.
      Note: The system ignores any domain names within the selected address group when matching the traffic source.
      Activate Pre-NAT- This option enables the business policy to match both pre-NAT and post-NAT IPv4 addresses for the LAN-side Source IP.
      Note: Pre-NAT functionality applies only to IPv4 and Mixed mode object groups and remains unavailable for IPv6 groups.
      For additional information, see Object Groups and Configure Business Policies with Object Group.
    • Define- This feature specifies source traffic by VLAN, Interface, IP Address, Port, or Operating System using the following parameters::
      • VLAN: Matches traffic originating from the VLAN specified in the drop-down menu.
      • Interface: Matches traffic from the interface specified in the drop-down menu.
        Note: The menu disables interfaces that remain unactivated or unassigned to the current segment.
      • IP Address- Matches traffic from a specified IPv4 or IPv6 address..
        Note: This option remains unavailable in Mixed mode (IPv4 and IPv6). In Mixed mode, the system matches traffic based on the specified VLAN or Interface instead.
        Activate Pre-NAT- This option enables the business policy to evaluate both pre-NAT and post-NAT IPv4 addresses for the LAN-side Source IP.
        Note: Only IPv4 address matching supports the Pre-NAT option.
        The system matches source traffic using the IP address in conjunction with one of the following specific address types:
        • CIDR prefix: Defines the network using a CIDR value (for example: 172.10.0.0/16).
        • Subnet mask: Defines the network using a standard Subnet mask (for example: 172.10.0.0 255.255.0.0).
        • Wildcard mask: Narrows policy enforcement to a set of devices across different IP subnets that share a matching host IP address value. The Wildcard mask matches an IP or set of addresses using an inverted subnet mask.

        • Logic: A binary 0 in the mask fixes the corresponding bit value, while a binary 1 allows the value to vary. For example, a mask of 0.0.0.255 (binary 00000000.00000000.00000000.11111111) used with IP 172.16.0.0 fixes the first three octets and allows the last octet to vary.

          Note:Only IPv4 addresses support this option.
      • Ports- Matches traffic originating from the specified source port or port range.
      • Operating System- Matches traffic based on the operating system identified in the drop-down menu.
    Destination Specifies the destination for data packets using one of the following categories:
    • Any- Allows all destination addresses by default.
    • Object Group- Combines a specific Address Group and Service Group for destination matching. Activate Pre-NAT enables the business policy to match both pre-NAT and post-NAT IPv4 addresses for the LAN-side Destination IP
      Note: Pre-NAT Supports IPv4 and Mixed mode object groups but excludes IPv6 object groups.
      For additional information, see Object Groups and Configure Business Policies with Object Group.
    • Define- Specifies matching criteria for destination traffic based on IP Address, Domain Name, Protocol, or Port. The system selects Any as the default matching category:
      • Any- Matches all destination traffic.
      • Internet- Matches all Internet traffic (traffic that does not match an SD-WAN Route) to the destination.
        Note:
        • This option remains unavailable when the IP version is set to Mixed mode (IPv4 and IPv6). In Mixed mode, the system matches traffic using either the specified VLAN or Interface instead.
        • For Symantec WSS integration, users must select this option.
        Activate Pre-NAT- Selecting this option allows the business policy to match with both, pre-NAT and post-NAT IPv4 addresses, on the LAN side for the Source IP.
        Note: The Pre-NAT option is applicable only for IPv4 address matching.
        Along with the IP address, users can specify the Subnet mask type and domain name to match the destination traffic.
      • Edge- Matches all traffic to an Edge.
      • Non SD-WAN Destination via Gateway- Matches all traffic routed to a specified Non SD-WAN Destination through the Profile-associated Gateway. The Profile must include associated Non SD-WAN sites via Gateway for this matching rule to function.
      • Non SD-WAN Destination via Edge- Matches all traffic to a specified Non SD-WAN Destination through the Edge, associated with an Edge or Profile. The Profile must include associated Non SD-WAN sites via Edge for this matching rule to function.
    • Domain name- Matches traffic for the entire domain name or a portion of the domain name specified in the Domain Name field. For example, \salesforce\ will match traffic to \www.salesforce.\.
    • Protocol- Matches traffic for the specified protocol, selected from the drop-down menu. The supported protocols are: GRE, ICMP, TCP, and UDP.
      Note: Mixed mode does not support ICMP.
    • Ports- Matches traffic from the specified source port or port range.
    Application Select one of the following options:
    • Any- Applies the business policy rule to any application by default.
    • Define- Selects a specific application to apply the business policy rule. In addition, a DSCP value can be specified to match the traffic coming in with a preset DSCP/TOS tag.
    Note:
    • Business policy rules require the Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) Engine to apply Network Service Actions. Because the DPI Engine typically requires 5–10 packets to identify an application, the system cannot classify the initial packets in a flow. During this phase, unclassified traffic matches a less specific business policy, which often directs the traffic along an alternative path—such as Direct instead of Multipath—based on broader criteria.

      Once the DPI Engine identifies the application, the system matches the traffic to a specific policy. The existing flow, however, maintains the original path to prevent session disruption. Consequently, the initial flow to a specific destination IP and port follows one path while the system populates the application cache. Subsequent flows to that destination then follow the path defined in the more specific application policy.

    • Upon classification, the DPI Engine adds the Destination IP and port to the application cache, allowing the system to classify all subsequent flows immediately. Application cache entries expire after 10 minutes of inactivity. Once an entry expires, the next flow must undergo DPI re-identification, during which the flow may follow an alternative path until the DPI Engine confirms the application type.

     

  7. The Action tab specifies the operations the system executes when traffic matches the defined criteria.
    Note: Depending on user's Match choices, some Actions may not be available.
    Figure 4. Add Rule - Action Tab
    Table 4. Action Tab - Options and Descriptions
    Option Description
    Priority The Priority setting classifies the rule into one of the following tiers to determine resource allocation:
    • High
    • Normal
    • Low
    Enable Rate Limit Select the Enable Rate Limit checkbox to set limits for inbound and outbound traffic directions.
    Note: The system performs rate limiting on a per-flow basis. Upstream rate limiting functions only when the Business Policy specifies a specific link or Edge interface.

    Setting the Steering option to Auto, Transport, or Group applies the rate limit to the aggregate bandwidth of all corresponding links. This configuration may prevent strict rate limit enforcement. For strict bandwidth enforcement, the Business Policy must steer traffic to a single specific link or Edge interface.
    Network Service Set the Network Service to one of the following options:
    • Direct- Sends the traffic out of the WAN circuit directly to the destination, bypassing the Gateway.
      Note: The Edge prioritizes secure routes over Business Policy rules by default. Consequently, the Edge forwards traffic via Multipath (Branch-to-Branch or Cloud-via-Gateway) even when a Business Policy specifies a Direct path, provided the Edge receives secure default or specific routes from a Partner Gateway or another Edge.

      The Secure Default Route Override feature modifies this behavior for Partner Gateway secure routes. Activating this feature at the customer level allows the Business Policy to supersede matching Partner Gateway secure routes. This override applies specifically to Partner Gateway routes and does not affect Hub secure routes.

    • Multi-Path- Sends the traffic from one Edge to another Edge.
    • Internet Backhaul- This network service activates only when the Destination is set to Internet.
      Note: The Internet Backhaul Network Service only applies to Internet traffic (WAN traffic destined to network prefixes that do not match a known local route or VPN route).
      For information about these options, see Configure Network Service for Business Policy Rule.

    Activation of Conditional Backhaul at the profile level applies the behavior to all associated Business Policies by default.

    The Turn off Conditional Backhaul checkbox overrides this inheritance, excluding specific traffic (Direct, Multi-Path, and CSS) from the backhaul behavior. For additional information about how to activate and troubleshoot the Conditional Backhaul feature, see Conditional Backhaul.
    Link Steering Select one of the following link steering modes:
    • Auto- Automatic Link Steering serves as the default mode for all applications. In this mode, Dynamic Multi-Path Optimization (DMPO) selects the optimal links based on application requirements and activates on-demand remediation as network conditions dictate.
      • Transport Group- This steering policy applies a unified Business Policy across diverse device types or locations, regardless of local WAN carriers or physical interfaces. The policy utilizes one of the following transport group options:
        • Public Wired
        • Public Wireless
        • Private Wired
      • Interface- Link steering is tied to a physical interface and will be used primarily for routing purposes.
        Note: This option is only applicable at the Edge override level.
      • WAN Link- Defines policy rules based on specific private links. In this mode, the WAN link configuration remains separate and distinct from the Interface configuration. The system supports selection of both manually configured and auto-discovered WAN links. This option applies exclusively at the Edge override level.
    • Inner Packet DSCP Tag- Select an Inner Packet DSCP Tag from the drop-down menu.
    • Outer Packet DSCP Tag- Select an Outer Packet DSCP Tag from the drop-down menu
    Note: Configuring the Network Service as Direct excludes IPv6-only Interfaces and IPv6-only WAN links from Link Steering support.
    For additional information about the link steering modes and DSCP, DSCP marking for both Underlay and Overlay traffic, see Configure Link Steering Modes.
    Enable NAT Activate or deactivate NAT. This option is not available for IPv4 and IPv6 mode. For additional information, see Configure Policy-based NAT.
    Service Class Select one of the following Service Class options. Apps/Categories fall in one of these categories:
    • Real-time
    • Transactional
    • Bulk
    Note: This option is only for a custom application.
  8. Selecting Create generates the business policy rule for the designated Profile. The new rule populates within the Business Policy Rules section of the Profile Business Policy page.
    Note: Edge-level configurations cannot update rules inherited from the Profile. Overriding a Profile-level rule requires the creation of an identical rule at the Edge level with new parameters; the Edge-level rule then supersedes the Profile configuration.
    IPv6 and Mixed mode (IPv4 and IPv6) support rule creation exclusively through the Orchestrator. All other operations, including Update and Delete, require the API.

    Related Information: Overlay QoS CoS Mapping

Configure Network Service for Business Policy Rule

While creating or updating a Business Policy rule and action, users can set the Network Service to Direct, Multi-Path, and Internet Backhaul.

Direct

The system forwards traffic out of the WAN circuit directly to the destination and bypasses the Gateway. Network Address Translation (NAT) applies to this traffic only when the administrator enables the NAT Direct Traffic checkbox within the Interface Settings on the Device tab.

The following functional limitations govern NAT Direct Traffic.

The system performs NAT only when the traffic matches a route in the Edge routing table where the Next Hop is either Cloud VPN or Cloud Gateway. Regardless of any Business Policy configurations that include private IP destinations, NAT applies exclusively to traffic destined for public IP addresses.

Multi-Path

It sends the traffic from one Edge to another Edge, and from an Edge to a Gateway.

Internet Backhaul

Defining the Destination as Internet within the business policy rule match criteria enables the Internet Backhaul network service.

Note: The Internet Backhaul Network Service will only apply to Internet traffic (WAN traffic destined to network prefixes that do not match a known local route or VPN route).
When the Internet Backhaul is selected, users can select one of the following options and configure endpoints to backhaul the following Internet-bound traffic types (Direct Internet traffic, Internet via Gateway, and CSS traffic):
  • Backhaul Hubs
  • Non SD-WAN Destinations via Gateway
  • Non SD-WAN Destinations via Edge/Cloud Security Service
    Note: NSD via Edge and CSS does not support mixed IP mode (IPv4 and IPv6).
  • VeloCloud SD-WAN supports the interconnection of multiple Hub Edges or Hub Clusters to extend the reach of communicating Spoke Edges. The Hub or Cluster Interconnect feature enables communication between Spoke Edges connected to different Hubs or Clusters via multiple overlay and underlay connections. For additional information, see Hub or Cluster Interconnect.

Configuring multiple VeloCloud Sites for backhaul supports the redundancy inherent in the Non SD-WAN Destination connection while maintaining consistent behavior: the system drops traffic if the service becomes unavailable.

Configure Network Service Rule
Figure 5. Add Rule

Enabling Conditional Backhaul at the profile level applies this behavior by default to all Business Policies within that profile. The administrator may deactivate conditional backhaul for specific policies to exclude selected traffic (Direct, Multi-Path, and CSS) by selecting the Turn off Conditional Backhaul checkbox in the Action area of the Configure Rule screen.

For additional information about how to enable and troubleshoot the Conditional Backhaul feature, see Conditional Backhaul.

Configure Policy-based NAT

The system supports the configuration of Policy-based NAT for both Source and Destination. This NAT applies to either Non SD-WAN Destination traffic or Partner Gateway Handoff traffic using Multi-path.

To configure NAT, the administrator defines the specific traffic and the intended action. The system offers two NAT configuration types: Many-to-One and One-to-One.

Accessing NAT

Users can access the NAT feature from Configure > Profiles > Business Policy , select +ADD, and then navigate to Action. Rules on a Non SD-WAN Gateway Destination via a Gateway allow NAT and allow Internet rules using Multipath.

Many-to-One NAT Configuration

In this configuration, users can NAT the traffic's source or destination IP originated from the hosts behind the Edge to a different unique source or destination IP address. For example, the user can source NAT all the flows destined to a host or server in the Data Center, which is behind the Partner Gateway with a unique IP address, even though they are originated from different hosts behind an Edge.

The following figure shows an example of the Many to One configuration. In this example, all the traffic originating from the hosts that are connected to VLAN Corporate (behind the Edge destined to an Internet host or a host behind the DC) will get source NAT with the IP address 72.4.3.1.

Figure 13. Add Rule
One-to-One NAT Configuration

In this configuration, the Branch Edge maps a single local IP address of a host or server to a global IP address. When a host in the Non SD-WAN Destination or Data Center sends traffic to that global IP address, the Gateway forwards the traffic to the local IP address of the host or server in the Branch.

Overlay QoS CoS Mapping

A Traffic Class comprises a combination of Priority (High, Normal, or Low) and Service Class (Real-Time, Transactional, or Bulk), creating a 3x3 matrix of nine distinct classes. The administrator maps specific Applications/Categories and scheduler weights onto these Traffic Classes. The system then applies aggregate Quality of Service (QoS) treatment—including Scheduling and Policing—to all applications within a single Traffic Class.

All applications within a specific Traffic Class receive a guaranteed minimum aggregate bandwidth during congestion based on scheduler weight or a bandwidth percentage. When no congestion exists, the system allows applications to consume up to the maximum aggregated bandwidth. The administrator may apply a Policer to cap the bandwidth for all applications in a given Traffic Class. Refer to the image below for the default Application/Category and Traffic Class Mapping.
Note: Users can match the DSCP value of the incoming traffic to a particular service class in the Business policy of an Edge. For additional information, see Configure Class of Service.
Figure 14. Overlay QoS CoS Mapping

The Business Policy includes Smart Defaults functionality, which maps more than 2,500 applications to Traffic Classes. This feature enables application-aware QoS without requiring the manual definition of a policy. The system assigns a default weight to each Traffic Class in the Scheduler, though the administrator can modify these parameters in the Business Policy. The list below details the default values for the 3x3 matrix and its nine Traffic Classes.

Figure 15. Default Values and Traffic Classes
Example

In this example, a customer utilizes a 90 Mbps Internet link and a 10 Mbps MPLS link on the Edge, totaling 100 Mbps of aggregate bandwidth. Based on the default weight and Traffic Class mapping, applications mapping to Business Collaboration receive 35 Mbps of guaranteed bandwidth, while Email applications receive 15 Mbps.

The system allows the definition of business policies for an entire category (e.g., Business Collaborations), specific applications (e.g., Skype for Business), or granular sub-applications (e.g., Skype File Transfer, Skype Audio, and Skype Video).

Configuring Overlay QoS CoS Mapping

The Operator must activate the SD-WAN Traffic Class and Weight Mapping feature before the system allows edits. To gain access to this feature, contact the Operator for more information.

Tunnel Shaper for Service Providers with Partner Gateway

This section discusses the Tunnel Shaper for Service Providers with the Partner Gateway.

Service Providers may offer SD-WAN services with a lower capacity than the aggregated capacity of the local branch WAN links. For example, a customer might purchase a broadband link from a third-party vendor, leaving the Service Provider hosting the VeloCloud Partner Gateway with no control over that underlay link.

To ensure the system honors the SD-WAN service capacity and avoids congestion toward the Partner Gateway, the Service Provider enables the DMPO Tunnel Shaper between the tunnel and the Partner Gateway.

Tunnel Shaper Example
Figure 16. Example Topology

Consider an Edge utilizing a 20 Mbps Internet link and a 20 Mbps MPLS link, paired with a 35 Mbps SD-WAN service from a Service Provider (SP). In this scenario, the SD-WAN service capacity (35 Mbps) remains lower than the aggregate bandwidth of the WAN links (40 Mbps). To ensure that traffic toward the Partner Gateway does not exceed 35 Mbps, the Service Provider places a Tunnel Shaper on the DMPO tunnel.

Configure Rate-Limit Tunnel Traffic

The Operator must activate the Rate-Limit Tunnel Traffic feature before the system allows any edits. To gain access to this feature, contact the Operator for more information.

To activate Rate-Limit Tunnel Traffic:
  1. Go to Configure > Profiles from the navigation panel.
  2. Select the link of the appropriate configuration Profile.
  3. Select the Business Policy tab and go to Additional Settings.
  4. In the SD-WAN Overlay Rate Limit area, check the Rate-Limit Tunnel Traffic check box.
  5. Select either the Percent or Rate (Mbps) radial buttons. By default, None is selected.
  6. In the Limit text box, type in a numerical limit to the Tunnel Traffic.
  7. Select Save Changes.
Figure 17. Additional Settings