Abstract: The distribution of load modules to processors of a telecommunication platform (20) vis facilitated by software allocation manage objects (SWA-MAOs). Each software allocation manage object associates a hardware location manage object (representing a hardware or equipment location within the platform or node) with a repertoire (R-MAO). The repertoire is a manage object which specifies one or more hardware entities, and for each specified hardware entity provides a list of one or more potentially downloadable load modules. When the presence of a new hardware entity is detected at a hardware location in the telecommunications node or platform, a node support function downloads an appropriate load module(s) to the new hardware entity, using the repertoire forming the software allocation manage object which affects the hardware location to determine which load module(s) are appropriate for the downloading.