Policy-Based Networking: Architecture and Algorithms

Classification Algorithms

Here is the basic classification problem faced by the router:

Given a set of policies and an incoming message (such as a specific packet header), determine which policy applies to the packet in question.

We assume that the policies at the PEP have all the conflicts resolved among themselves and that priorities have been established such that there is exactly one policy which applies to any packet. We further assume that the agent will convert the policies that are received in the standard format (based on MIBs or PIBs) into more efficient data structures for rapid classification and searching for policies. Along with the classification algorithms, we also present schemes by which such efficient data structures can ...