According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a service identifies a packet sent by a first device in a network to a second device as being of a particular protocol. The service identifies a control command within the packet for the second device, based in part on the particular protocol identified for the packet. The service determines, based on the control command within the packet, a quality of service policy for the packet. The service causes the quality of service policy to be applied to the packet along a path in the network via which the packet is sent from the first device to the second device.