1. A method for managing configuration data for a router, the method comprising the machine-implemented steps of: a client querying the router to determine a plurality of functional areas supported by the router; the client receiving, from the router, data indicating the plurality of functional areas supported by the router; the client generating and displaying a plurality of user interface objects on a graphical user interface, wherein each user interface object from the plurality of user interface objects corresponds to configuration data for one of the plurality of functional areas supported by the router; wherein generating and displaying the plurality of user interface objects further comprises, based on the data indicating the plurality of functional areas supported by the router, determining which user interface objects to generate and display; wherein determining which user interface objects to generate and display comprises identifying user interface objects (a) that correspond to the plurality of functional areas supported by the router; and (b) for which the client and the router have compatible application program interfaces; and in response to detecting a user selection of a particular user interface object from the plurality of user interface objects, the client: allowing the user to modify the configuration data corresponding to the particular user interface object to generate modified configuration data; and sending the modified configuration data to the router.