Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying the configuration of a network device, such as a router, using a two-stage configuration model is provided. A first request for a change in configuration of a network device is received. Configuration data that describes the change in configuration of the network device is stored in a buffer. A second request to modify the current operational state of the network device to reflect the configuration data stored in the buffer is received. An exclusive lock on the network device is obtained. The current operational state of the network device is modified to reflect the configuration data stored in the buffer. Multiple users may modify the network device without interfering with one another because conflicts are avoided through use of an exclusive lock. Requests of different management operations may be contained within XML documents that are transmitted from the client to the network device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the configuration of a network device through the exchange of XML documents is provided. A network device transmits multiple chunks of an XML document to a client in response to the size of the XML document being larger than a configurable size. The client does not receive any XML documents from network device that exceed the configurable size, and may abort receiving additional chunks of the XML document. The client and the network device may each discover which version of a data schema each other is using to reference components of the network device. The exchanged XML documents include version data that identifies a version for a plurality of data schemas that are each associated with a component of network device. The client and the network device may thus avoid exchanging ambiguous communications due to inconsistent versions of a data schema.