Differentiated service

Differentiated service is like having different levels of service when you go to a restaurant. When you go to a restaurant, you can choose to sit at different tables and order different types of food. The restaurant staff will then treat you differently based on what you ordered and where you chose to sit.

Similarly, differentiated service is a way for computers to prioritize different data traffic types on a network. Different traffic types (like emails, videos, or online games) are given different levels of importance or priority. The network equipment (like routers or switches) will then handle each traffic type differently based on their priority, to make sure that important traffic is delivered quickly and without delay.

Think of it like going to a busy playground with different types of activities, and the playground monitors give priority to kids with disabilities who can't run as fast or kids who are waiting in line patiently instead of letting the kids who are pushing and shoving go first. Just like in a busy playground, differentiated service helps make sure that all different types of network traffic are treated fairly and get the attention they need to be delivered as fast and smoothly as possible.