RFC 3198 (rfc3198) - Page 2 of 21

Terminology for Policy-Based Management

RFC 3198        Terminology for Policy-Based Management    November 2001


Table of Contents

   1. Introduction...................................................  2
   2. Explanation of Paragraph Markings..............................  3
   3. Terms..........................................................  3
   4. Intellectual Property.......................................... 16
   5. Acknowledgements............................................... 17
   6. Security Considerations........................................ 17
   7. References..................................................... 17
   8. Authors' Addresses............................................. 19
   9. Full Copyright Statement....................................... 21

1. Introduction

   This document provides abbreviations, definitions, and explanations
   of terms related to network policy.  All definitions are provided in
   Section 3, with the terms listed in alphabetical order.

   The intent is to improve the comprehensibility and consistency of
   Internet Standards documents (ISDs) -- i.e., RFCs, Internet-Drafts,
   and other material produced as part of the Internet Standards Process
   [RFC 2026].  Benefits across the ISDs are well-stated in the
   Introduction to RFC 2828 [RFC 2828]:

   o  "Clear, Concise, and Easily Understood Documentation" - Requires
      that the set of terms and definitions be consistent, self-
      supporting and uniform across all ISDs.

   o  Technical Excellence - Where all ISDs use terminology accurately,
      precisely, and unambiguously.

   o  Prior Implementation and Testing - Requires that terms are used in
      their plainest form, that private and "made-up" terms are avoided
      in ISDs, and that new definitions are not created that conflict
      with established ones.

   o  "Openness, Fairness, and Timeliness" - Where ISDs avoid terms that
      are proprietary or otherwise favor a particular vendor, or that
      create a bias toward a particular technology or mechanism.

   Common and/or controversial policy terms are defined.  These terms
   are directly related and specific to network policy.

   Wherever possible, this document takes definitions from existing
   ISDs.  It should be noted that:

   o  Expired Internet-Drafts are not referenced, nor are their
      terminology and definitions used in this document.



Westerinen, et al.           Informational