This thesis is about how to provide differential services in IP networks using policy-based networking.
Although policy-based networking has been a buzzword for a long time now, there is no industry consensus on the requirements or methods for establishing and deploying policies. However, the schema standardization in DEN, the gradual popularity of LDAP, the IETF's work in Policy Framework and COPS, and the industry's interest to provide new services are pushing this to be a reality.
In this thesis different components of Policy-Based Networking are presented, studied and tested, including the DEN specification of the base information model, the general policy framework and policy abstraction for differential services from IETF. A preliminary policy server is developed, which accesses a Netscape Directory 4.0 using LDAP, where policy information for differential services is stored, converts the policy information into both CLI and SNMP commands, and configures a Cabletron 2000 router. The problems that arise are also discussed in this report."