Patent ID: 8782182

Claim:
A method of generating a device-specific configuration for a network device, comprising: accepting an updated configuration parameter that updates a feature of a device via a template that is used to construct commands that are provided by a command model file and used for device specific configuration, wherein alternative templates are provided for said commands to accommodate variations in structure and/or syntax of said commands for the same feature across a plurality of different devices; accepting command syntax information that is applicable to a plurality of devices wherein said command syntax information comprises a set of high level features that are applicable to the plurality of devices; generating a state description that is applicable to a plurality of devices from said updated configuration parameter, with reference to a configuration library wherein said state description comprises a set of high level features that are applicable to a plurality of different devices; storing said state description in a database; retrieving device information from said network device; generating said device-specific configuration for said network device with reference to said command syntax information, said device information, said state description, and a command library; transmitting graphical user interface information according to the plurality of devices and generating a configuration interface with reference to a configuration model file and said configuration library; accepting said updated configuration parameter through said configuration interface; receiving a command model file; and generating a device specific configuration based on said configuration model file and said command model file.