Abstract: Simple and complex policy mechanisms for policy-enabled advantageously comprise a Data Access Client Module (DACM) and Policy Interpreter and Processor (PIP) for establishing data paths between a network device and data stores containing device configuration information, and simple policy definitions, e.g., filter tables, and complex policy expressions. A uniform distributed data model provides device state information and policy information to be efficiently retrieved from virtually all network devices rather than solely from directory server(s). Using a registration and notification system, data elements (e.g., directory subtrees or executable modules) are associated with a particular owner network device and other network devices requiring access to data elements to derive needed state information for taking network policy actions. A data element is provided via messages sent to a target network device upon the occurrence of a relevant event (e.g.