Abstract: A method includes advertising a policy characterizing communication properties supported by a node. The policy may be distributed to another node in response to a request for the policy. Policy expressions in the policy include one or more assertions that may be grouped and related to each other in a plurality of ways. A system includes a policy generator for generating at least one policy characterizing properties of a node. A policy retriever retrieves a policy from another node and a message generator generates a message to the other node, wherein the message conforms to the policy from the other node.

Abstract: Implementations are described and claimed herein to detect an invalid policy that may reside in a cache at a client. An expired policy is removed from cache and a current policy is requested. Otherwise the cached policy may be used. The client indicates which policy it is using by generating a policy digest, including, in compressed form, one or more assertions. If the host determines the policy digest is invalid, the host issues an invalid digest fault. If the policy digest is valid, but the assertions included in the policy digest are invalid, the host issues an invalid policy fault. In either case, the client is notified that the cached policy is no longer valid and that a current policy should be requested.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving an intermediate node policy characterizing communication properties supported by an intermediate node, the intermediate node being between a source node and a destination node in a communication path. The method includes forming a first policy-compliant message in accordance with the intermediate node policy, the first policy-compliant message including a request for a destination node policy characterizing communication properties supported by the destination node. A system includes a policy retriever comparing a source policy to one to an intermediate policy to determine whether the source policy is compatible with the intermediate policy. A message generator generates a policy request message by applying the intermediate policy to a request for a policy related to a destination node.

Abstract: A method includes advertising a policy characterizing communication properties supported by a node. The policy may be distributed to another node in response to a request for the policy. Policy expressions in the policy include one or more assertions that may be grouped and related to each other in a plurality of ways. A system includes a policy generator for generating at least one policy characterizing properties of a node. A policy retriever retrieves a policy from another node and a message generator generates a message to the other node, wherein the message conforms to the policy from the other node.