1. A network router management interface comprising: a client interface that receives, from a network router client, configuration requests and operational requests encoded with extensible markup language tags; a storage device storing a network management interface schema that maps the extensible markup language tags to configuration and operational information associated with software modules running on a network router, the software modules including a chassis software module that defines an inventory of components in the network router chassis, a device configuration software module that defines a physical configuration of the network router, and a routing protocol module that administers protocols supported by the network router; a management server software module that parses the configuration requests and the operational requests received at the client interface and accesses the corresponding configuration and operational information associated with the chassis software module, the device configuration software module, and the routing control software module according to the network management interface schema, and emits to the client interface replies encoded with extensible markup language tags according to the network management interface schema, wherein the management server module, in response to a selection made by a user, emits the replies for presentation in either a rendered or unrendered format.