1. A network element for a software-defined network, the network element comprising: a data transfer interface for transmitting data to the software-defined network and for receiving data from the software-defined network, and a processing system for implementing a forwarding-section for maintaining a configuration system enabling the network element to operate as a part of the software-defined network, wherein the processing system is adapted to implement a control-section for: constructing the configuration system on the basis of a first portion of configuration data received from the software-defined network, addressing at least a second portion of the configuration data to at least one first other network element of the software-defined network, the second portion of the configuration data comprising data for configuring two or more other network elements including the first other network element, and delivering at least the second portion of the configuration data to the forwarding-section so as to transmit at least the second portion of the configuration data to the first other network element in accordance with the configuration system constructed on the basis of the first portion of the configuration data.