A policy framework for integrated and differentiated services in the Internet

In this article, we examine the issues that arise in the definition, deploy ment, and management of policies related to QoS in an IP network. The artic le provides an overview of requirements For QoS policies, alternative polic y architectures that can be deployed in a network, different protocols that can be used to exchange policy information, and exchange of policy informa tion among different administrative domains. We discuss current issues bein g examined in IETF and other standards bodies, as well as issues explored i n ongoing policy-related research at different universities and research la boratories.