Abstract: A multi-fields (MF) classifier that categorizes each packet into a “QoS index,” instead of a priority queue number directly. The invention comprises two steps. The first step is to regroup the classified index based on its source port setting. The regrouping may combine two indexes into one, move around the classified category, or filer out traffic for access control purposes. The second step maps the index into different settings for all controllable resources. Some of the controllable resources include, but are not limited to, transmit priority on each egress port, dropping preference on each egress port, egress rate control preference, ingress rate control preference, and buffer resource class.