!!! Overview
[{$pagename}] Protocol ([COPS]) is part of the [Internet Protocol Suite] as defined by the [IETF]'s [RFC 2748]. 


[COPS] specifies a simple client/server model for supporting [policy] control over [Quality of Service] ([QoS]) signaling [protocols] (e.g. [RSVP]). [Policies|Policy] are stored on servers ([PIP]s), and acted upon by [Policy Decision Points] ([PDP]), and are enforced on clients, also known as [Policy Enforcement Points] ([PEP]). 

!! TWO [{$pagename}] Models
There are two models of [COPS]: 

The Outsourcing Model and the Provisioning Model, considered from the view of the client or [PEP].

! Outsourcing Model
The Outsourcing Model is the simplest [COPS] implementation. In this model, all policies are stored at the [PDP]. Whenever the [PEP] needs to make a decision, it sends all relevant information to the [PDP]. The [PDP] analyzes the information, makes the decision, and relays it to the [PEP]. The [PEP] then simply enforces the decision.

! Provisioning Model
In the Provisioning Model, see [RFC 3084] [COPS Usage for Policy Provisioning] ([COPS-PR]), the [PEP] reports its decision-making capabilities to the [PDP]. The [PDP] then downloads relevant [policies|Policy] on to the [PEP]. The [PEP] can then make its own decisions based on these policies. The Provisioning Model uses the Policy Information Base as a repository of the policies.


[{$pagename}] is a [Policy Based Management System]

!! More Information
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