Abstract: A system for automatic quality of service (QoS) configuration within packet switching networks is provided. The system is used in combination compatible network devices that support a QoS interface. The QoS interface allows the device to be dynamically configured to apply different QoS configurations to individual microflows. The QoS interface also allows QoS related events to be monitored. The automatic QoS configuration system allows QoS configurations to be defined in terms of QoS policies. Each QoS policy is a mapping that defines how the QoS configuration for a microflow changes in response to physical, logical or temporal events. A management system controls (at least partially) one or more of the compatible network devices. The management system monitors the QoS events generated by each compatible network device. In response to these and other events, the management system dynamically reconfigures each compatible network device to enforce the QoS policies for that device.