Policy-Based Enhancements to the SNMP Framework

This memo takes a look at some of the work on policy-driven networks currently being done in several IETF working groups. The proposed solutions (like COPS and PIBs) focus on solving local problems of policy management. It is the view of the authors that while local solutions like COPS can be more effective than more general ones, the advantages to effective management through the use of a single integrated management framework (an improved SNMP) outweigh the gains of locally optimized solutions. This report is a slightly revised version of a position state ment which was prepared for a two day interim IETF meeting organized by the Area Directors responsible for the IETF Policy Framework, the Resource Allocation Protocol and the Differentiated Services working groups. The meeting took place in Chicago in September 1999. The changes made to this document after the meeting are mainly of editorial nature (u pdated references, typos corrected, affiliations updated). This report thus reflects the thinkin g of the authors at the interim meeting in September 1999.