Abstract: Methods and apparatuses create a configuration file for a communication device in a communications network to mitigate management of communication device models and their configuration files. A device configuration node responds to detecting a stimulus to configure the communication device by: determining a communication device identity based on the stimulus; retrieving based on the communication device identity a configuration file template having a data variable; retrieving based on the communication device identity a data value corresponding to the data variable of the configuration file template; assigning the data value to the corresponding data variable of the configuration file template; and consolidating the configuration file template into a configuration file. Retrieval of the data value includes traversing a hierarchical data structure of a plurality of data variables, and the data value is selected in accordance with an assignment rule.

Abstract: Presented is an apparatus and methods for collecting the implemented data model and version information from an end user device. The apparatus is communicatively connected to the end user device and uses, for example, the Broadband Forum TR-069 protocol or another protocol for communications. The method interrogates the end user device to determine all parameters and their data types by traversing the end user device's data model level by level and instantiating any objects discovered that are instantiable but not yet instantiated. The method archives the data model and end user device version information for later use with like devices.

Abstract: Method and arrangement in a charging function to support charging for services in a communications network. When receiving a request for charging information from a session control node serving a communication device, the charging function determines at least one characteristic of the device, e.g. by fetching it from a device characteristics repository where such device characteristics are maintained for devices in the network. The charging function then sets a charging level for a service requested or consumed by the device, based on the characteristic(s) of the device, and sends a response with the set charging level to the session control node, to enable device characteristic dependent charging for the requested or consumed service.

Abstract: Presented is an apparatus and methods for collecting the implemented data model and version information from an end user device. The apparatus is communicatively connected to the end user device and uses, for example, the Broadband Forum TR-069 protocol or another protocol for communications. The method interrogates the end user device to determine all parameters and their data types by traversing the end user device's data model level by level and instantiating any objects discovered that are instantiable but not yet instantiated. The method archives the data model and end user device version information for later use with like devices.