Patent ID: 8913523

Claim:
A first network device, comprising: a processor configured to: receive a request to update a first configuration object in a local configuration database associated with the first network device with a new value, wherein the first configuration object corresponds to a shared configuration object in a central configuration database associated with a central management system, wherein the shared configuration object is associated with at least the first configuration object and a second configuration object in a local configuration associated with a second network device, wherein the request is determined to not have originated from the central management system; and send a notification to the central management system that the first network device received the request, wherein in response to the request, a third configuration object is created at the central configuration database, the third configuration object is updated based at least in part on the new value, the third configuration object is associated with the first network device, the shared configuration object is disassociated from the first network device without affecting an association between the shared configuration object and the second configuration object in the local configuration database associated with the second network device; and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.