Hierarchical configuration of networked communication devices

An endpoint device of a communication system, the endpoint device comprising:

• a processor;
• a transceiver communicably coupled with the processor, the transceiver configured to communicate with a head-end device over a network;
• and
• a memory communicably coupled with the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to:
• send, to the head-end device, a version audit that includes version information for one or more applications used at the endpoint device, the version information associated with parameter values set at one or more hierarchical level assignments and including, for at least one of the one or more applications, a dot notation per application including a version indication for each of a set of parameter values that are set at each hierarchical level, each version indication separated by a dot;
• receive a data packet from the head-end device, the data packet including one or more parameter updates, each parameter update including:
• a parameter identification;
• a designated parameter value for a parameter identified by the parameter identification;
• and
• a predetermined level assignment for the designated parameter value,
• the one or more parameter updates including updates for parameters associated with a difference between a current configuration and a desired configuration, the difference determined based on the version audit;
• update a record of two or more records of each parameter with the parameter's respective designated parameter value, the two or more records associated with differentiating level assignments defining a prioritized hierarchy of parameter values for the parameter at the endpoint device, and the updated record associated with the predetermined level assignment included in the data packet;
• and
• run an application using one or more selected parameter values, each selected parameter value recorded at a highest priority level assignment of the differentiating level assignments for which parameter values for the parameter associated with the selected parameter value are presently recorded at the endpoint device.

At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer program logic stored thereon, the computer program logic including instructions that, when executed by a processor of an endpoint device of a communications system, cause the processor to:

• send over a network, to a head-end device via a transceiver of the endpoint device, a version audit that includes version information for one or more applications used at the endpoint device, the version information associated with parameter values set at one or more hierarchical level assignments and including, for at least one of the one or more applications, a dot notation per application including a version indication for each of a set of parameter values that are set at each hierarchical level, each version indication separated by a dot;
• receive a data packet from the head-end device, the data packet including one or more parameter updates, each parameter update including:
• a parameter identification;
• a designated parameter value for a parameter identified by the parameter identification;
• and
• a predetermined level assignment for the designated parameter value, the one or more parameter updates including updates for parameters associated with a difference between a current configuration and a desired configuration, the difference determined based on the version audit;
• update a record of two or more records of each parameter with the parameter's respective designated parameter value, the two or more records associated with differentiating level assignments defining a prioritized hierarchy of parameter values for the parameter at the endpoint device, and the updated record associated with the predetermined level assignment included in the data packet;
• and
• run an application using one or more selected parameter values, each selected parameter value recorded at a highest priority level assignment of the differentiating level assignments for which parameter values for the parameter associated with the selected parameter value are presently recorded at the endpoint device.