While the layered OSI model for networks provides a very clean conceptual framework for network design, certain applications are not completely indifferent to what happens at the lower layers. This is particularly true for multimedia and other real–time applications, which usually have stringent constraints on network performance in order to deliver an acceptable Quality of Experience (QoE) to the user.Several cross–layer approaches for optimizing application quality have been proposed in the literature. In this paper we show how by combining network QoS measurements and application–level knowledge, significant improvements can be made to current management solutions.