Policy-Enabled Path Computation Framework
RFC 5394

Network Working Group                                         I. Bryskin
Request for Comments: 5394                                  Adva Optical
Category: Informational                                 D. Papadimitriou
                                                                 Alcatel
                                                               L. Berger
                                                         LabN Consulting
                                                                  J. Ash
                                                                    AT&T
                                                           December 2008

               Policy-Enabled Path Computation Framework

Status of This Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

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Abstract

   The Path Computation Element (PCE) architecture introduces the
   concept of policy in the context of path computation.  This document
   provides additional details on policy within the PCE architecture and
   also provides context for the support of PCE Policy.  This document
   introduces the use of the Policy Core Information Model (PCIM) as a
   framework for supporting path computation policy.  This document also
   provides representative scenarios for the support of PCE Policy.

Bryskin, et al.              Informational                      [Page 1]
RFC 5394            Policy-Enabled Path Computation        December 2008

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................2
      1.1. Terminology ................................................3
   2. Background ......................................................4
      2.1. Motivation .................................................4
      2.2. Policy Attributes ..........................................6
      2.3. Representative Policy Scenarios ............................7
           2.3.1. Scenario: Policy Configured Paths ...................7
           2.3.2. Scenario: Provider Selection Policy ................10
           2.3.3. Scenario: Policy Based Constraints .................12
           2.3.4. Scenario: Advanced Load Balancing (ALB) Example ....14
   3. Requirements ...................................................16
   4. Path Computation Policy Information Model (PCPIM) ..............18
   5. Policy-Enabled Path Computation Framework Components ...........20
   6. Policy Component Configurations ................................21
      6.1. PCC-PCE Configurations ....................................21
      6.2. Policy Repositories .......................................24
      6.3. Cooperating PCE Configurations ............................25
      6.4. Policy Configuration Management ...........................27
   7. Inter-Component Communication ..................................27
      7.1. Policy Communication ......................................27
      7.2. PCE Discovery Policy Considerations .......................29
   8. Path Computation Sequence of Events ............................29
      8.1. Policy-Enabled PCC, Policy-Enabled PCE ....................29
      8.2. Policy-Ignorant PCC, Policy-Enabled PCE ...................31
   9. Introduction of New Constraints ................................32
   10. Security Considerations .......................................33
   11. Acknowledgments ...............................................33
   12. References ....................................................34
      12.1. Normative References .....................................34
      12.2. Informative References ...................................34

1.  Introduction

   The Path Computation Element (PCE) Architecture is introduced in
   [RFC4655].  This document describes the impact of policy-based
   decision making when incorporated into the PCE architecture and
   provides additional details on, and context for, applying policy
   within the PCE architecture.

   Policy-based Management (PBM), see [RFC3198], is a network management
   approach that enables a network to automatically perform actions in
   response to network events or conditions based on pre-established
   rules, also denoted as policies, from a network administrator.  PBM