Configuration preprocessor language

A method of configuring network elements in a system comprising network elements and a network provisioning and control system by which connection of network elements to a broadband network is controlled, the network provisioning and control system including a configuration rendering engine that operates to configure the network elements connected to the network, the method comprising:

• storing network element configuration templates in the network provisioning and control system, each template comprising predetermined configuration data and conditional configuration data;
• detecting a network element connected to the network and requiring configuration;
• determining the template relating to the specific network element to be configured;
• interrogating the system to determine discrete values for the conditional configuration data;
• preparing a configuration statement for the network element based on the selected template using the predetermined configuration data and the determined, discrete values of the conditional configuration data;
• and
• configuring the network element using the configuration statement.