Policy Management and Autonomic Mechanisms for Seamless Mobility Networks and Applications

Existing RF networks conforming to different standards have little in common from a management perspective, as they are designed around vendor-specific devices that use specific radio access technologies to provide particular functionality. These problems are exacerbated by the demands of next generation networks. Seamless Mobility is one such example, and is predicated on providing mechanisms that enable a user to accomplish his or her tasks without regard to technology. This paper examines a novel approach to policy-based management of wireless networks and devices, showing how various autonomic mechanisms can be used to realize the vision of Seamless Mobility, facilitating freedom of movement between indoor/outdoor and metropolitan/enterprise coverage while maintaining continuity of applications experience.