[Openv6] possible use of APONF in realising google's view on application based policy

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Dear all,



In this email I will try to clarify the scope of APONF by using an example.



This example is based on how the view of google on application based policy could be realised in the context of IETF.



The main goal of application based policy according to google is:



"Google’s goal here is to create an abstracted view of the network, so that you’re programming the abstraction, rather than manipulating individual devices. That way, you can write software that programs an arbitrary network.", cited from:



http://www.sdncentral.com/news/google-open-source-help-policy-based-sdn/2014/06/



This vision can be realised within the IETF as follows:



The abstract view of the network can be realised by using the Service Function Path (SFP), specified by the IETF SFC WG.



In adition to this, a way is needed to provide the SFP network view to application developers, such that the application developer can use this SFP during the development, but also runtime phases, such that the application can utilize the network configuration and resources in the most optimum way.



Note that a Service Function Path (SFP) is being specified in the IETF SFC WG.



What APONF can do is the following (scope of APONF):



o) monitor and verify the freshness of the Service Function Path (SFP)



o) distribute the SFP to network management applications (OSS applications). Note that a network management application are Operational Support System (OSS) applications
that help a communications service provider to monitor, control, analyze and manage a communication network.



o) any modifications done by network management applications on an SFP are communicated to the network management system



o) The network management system needs to use the updated SFP and implement the possible configuration changes! This action is out of the APONF scope.



Comments are very much appreciated!

Best regards,
Georgios Karagiannis