Policy-Based Networking: Architecture and Algorithms

Policy Architecture Overview

The policy architecture as defined in the IETF/DMTF consists of four basic elements (as shown in Figure 1.2):

• A policy management tool

• A policy repository

• A Policy Decision Point (PDP)

• A Policy Enforcement Point (PEP)

Figure 1.2. The IETF/DMTF Policy Architecture

The policy management tool is used by an administrator to input the different policies that are active in the network. The policy management tool takes as input the high-level policies that a user or administrator enters in the network and converts them to a much more detailed and precise low-level policy description that can apply to the various devices in the ...