Feature management of a communication device

A method for managing a computing device configured to communicate via a communication network, the method comprising:

• interfacing with a node of the communication network;
• storing a policy that controls at least a function of the computing device when used on the communication network;
• receiving a request sent to or from the computing device to run the function, the request being received from the node;
• generating a decision to allow or disallow the function to run on the computing device based on the policy;
• and
• enforcing the decision by taking an action that is consistent with the decision and causing the node to send data indicative of the action to the computing device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions for managing a computing device configured to communicate over a network serviced by a service provider, the medium storing thereon computer readable instructions that, when executed on a system, cause the system to at least:

• store a list of policies that control at least a function of the computing device when used on the communication network, the policies being defined based on input associated with an administrator;
• receive a request sent to or from the computing device to perform the function, the request being received from a switch of the network, the switch being managed by the service provider;
• determine whether a rule defined by the service provider controls the request independently of the policies;
• generate a decision to grant or deny the request based on the policies when the rule is inapplicable to the request;
• and
• enforce the decision by taking an action that is consistent with the decision and causing the switch to route data indicative of the action to the computing device.

A system for managing a computing device, the system comprising:

• means for interfacing with a node of the communication network;
• means for storing a policy that controls at least a function of the computing device when used on the communication network;
• means for receiving a request sent to or from the computing device to run the function, the request being received from the node;
• means for generating a decision to allow or disallow the function to run on the computing device based on the policy;
• and
• means for enforcing the decision by taking an action that is consistent with the decision and causing the node to send data indicative of the action to the computing device.