shaping
Shaping is the process of controlling the rate at which data packets are transmitted across a network to enforce bandwidth limits and maintain quality of service.
Shaping regulates traffic by queuing or delaying packets to conform to predefined bandwidth profiles, preventing congestion and ensuring fair resource allocation.
Common algorithms include token bucket, leaky bucket, and class-based shaping, allowing network operators to smooth bursts and prioritize critical flows based on service-level agreements.
Deployed on routers, switches, or DPUs, shaping integrates with QoS policies to enforce traffic classes, manage buffers, and optimize performance for latency-sensitive applications.