Using a classification of management policies for policy specification and policy transformation

Policies are derived from management goals and define the desired behavior of distributed heterogeneous systems, applications, and networks. To apply and deal with this idea, a number of concepts have been defined. Numerous policy definitions, policy hierarchies and policy models have evolved which are all very different, as they were developed from diverse points of view and without a common policy classification. This paper presents and structures the characteristics of policies by introducing a general classification for policies and showing how this classification leads to and aids in the specification of policies. Furthermore, we outline the ideas of a policy life cycle, and that of policy transformation. Policy transformation is a refinement process with conflict resolution which converts policies to become applicable within a management system using management services, such as systems management functions, distributed services, etc. The paper further looks at aspects to be considered when defining policy templates and concludes with a number of open issues still to be looked at in this field of management policies. Keyword Codes: K.6.4; C.2.4