Overview
ISO/IEC 29341-17-12:2011 specifies the UPnP Quality of Service (QoS) Policy Holder Service (service type: urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:QosPolicyHolder:3) as part of the UPnP Device Architecture. The standard defines a UPnP service that supplies traffic policy values for requested traffic streams. Typically used by a network traffic management entity (a QoS Manager), the QosPolicyHolder determines policy values by applying configured policy rules to traffic descriptors. The specification is compliant with UPnP Device Architecture v1.0 and describes service state variables, actions, eventing, and XML-based argument handling.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Service role and behaviour
- The QosPolicyHolder Service provides traffic policy parameters on request and can be hosted by any UPnP-capable device.
- The entity implementing this service can be a dual-role component: a service provider to control points and a control point for QosDevice services on the network.
- State variables and data types
- Defines derived UPnP string types for complex objects such as TrafficDescriptor, TrafficPolicy, lists of descriptors/policies, policy rules, and identifiers (e.g., PolicyHandle, TIN).
- XML fragments are used as UPnP action arguments and must be properly escaped per XML rules (e.g., <, >, &, etc.).
- Actions and APIs
- Standard actions include GetTrafficPolicy, GetListOfTrafficPolicies, SetAsPreferred, AddQphPolicy, RemoveQphPolicy, RetrieveQphPolicy, and GetPolicyVersion.
- The document defines argument lists, error codes, and expected responses for each action.
- Eventing and moderation
- Specifies event model and moderation rules for state variable change notifications to subscribed control points.
- Interoperability requirements
- Normative references (UPnP Device Architecture, XML, RFC3339 timestamps, UPnP-QoS documents) are mandatory for correct implementation.
Practical applications
- Prioritizing real-time streams such as VoIP, video streaming, and gaming traffic in residential gateways and multimedia routers.
- Coordinating QoS in mixed consumer/enterprise UPnP environments where devices request policy decisions from a central QoS Manager.
- Implementing traffic shaping and admission control policies in smart home hubs, set-top boxes, and networked AV equipment.
- Enabling vendor firmware and middleware to expose and enforce network QoS policies in multi-vendor deployments.
Who should use this standard
- Network device manufacturers and firmware developers implementing UPnP QoS services.
- Software teams building QoS Managers, UPnP control points, or traffic orchestration components.
- System integrators deploying QoS-aware home and small-office networks that require standardized policy exchange.
Related standards
- UPnP Device Architecture v1.0 (device framework)
- UPnP QoS Architecture and UPnP QosDevice service documents (QoS integration)
- RFC3339 (timestamps), XML 1.0 (argument encoding)
- IEEE 802.1D (informative reference for bridging/QoS concepts)
Keywords: ISO/IEC 29341-17-12:2011, UPnP, QosPolicyHolder, Quality of Service, QoS Manager, UPnP Device Architecture, traffic policy, QoS Policy Holder.
Open preview (PDF)Information technology - UPnP Device Architecture - Part 17-12: Quality of Service Device Control Protocol - Level 3 - Quality of Service Policy Holder Service
