Network Working Group Network Element Service Specification Template

This document defines a framework for specifying services provided by network elements, and available to applications, in an internetwork which offers multiple qualities of service. The document first provides some necessary context -including relevant definitions and suggested data formats -and then specifies a "template" which service specification documents should follow. The specification template includes per-element requirements such as the service’s packet handling behavior, parameters required and made available by the service, traffic specification and policing requirements, and traffic ordering relationships. It also includes evaluation criteria for elements providing the service, and examples of how the service might be implemented (by network elements) and used (by applications).