Patent ID: 7266084

Claim:
A method for distributing configuration information in an xDSL network that comprises network elements on certain hierarchical levels and a network managing station, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a request for configuration information from a first network element located on a first hierarchical level to a second network element located on a second hierarchical level, which second hierarchical level is above the first hierarchical level in the xDSL network but which second network element is other than the network managing station, deciding, at the second network element that is other than the network managing station, whether it is appropriate to read the configuration information requested in the request for configuration information from a configuration memory of the second network element, and in case it is decided to be appropriate, reading the configuration information requested in the request for configuration information from a configuration memory of the second network element and transmitting the configuration information that was read from the configuration memory of the second network element to the first network element.