Policy exchange information model in support of cross-domain management

In order to facilitate a robust object oriented definition of policy exchange interfaces across semi-autonomous domains within an enterprise, a protocol neutral approach to describing the information exchanged is followed. This protocol neutral approach makes use of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to describe information classes and their properties as they apply to the cross-domain Policy-Based Enterprise Management (PBEM) interface. Instances of the object classes defined in Policy Exchange Model are shared across management domains through the Policy Exchange Interface. This information model focuses on the objects necessary to facilitate the exchange of policies across management domain boundaries, including policies and their associated scope, events, conditions, actions, and enforcement metrics. A policy manager class provides the operations needed to support the functionality of the Policy Exchange Interface. The proposed Policy Exchange model is derived from policy aspects of the TM Forum's SID, DMTF's CIM and OASIS's XACML models. This model was implemented as part of a Satellite/Terrestrial Network Management prototype development. This policy exchange model is expected to be submitted to TM Forum as a contribution for potentially enhancing the SID model.