A Policy-Based Autonomic Model Suitable for Quality of Service Management

Abstract

The increased complexity resulting from computer networks technologies, devices and application diversity combined with the continuously growing service demands from users, requires a computer network that offers adequate treatment and support to multiservice (voice, video, web applications) and quality of service (QoS) requirements. This management scenario adds complexity to human administration even with the adoption of Policy- Based Management (PBM) systems. In effect, the effectiveness and efficiency of the management model is, typically, directly related with the knowledge and skills of the administrator in order to define a policy database that meets all possible states. In this paper is presented a model with autonomic capabilities that is able to manage quality of service in computer networks pushing towards an autonomic Full Policy-Based Management (FPBM) approach. The proposed model introduces a knowledge layer in a traditional Policy Based Management model so that policies are created in an autonomic way, replacing as such the human interaction in the process of defining the policy database.