Sub-Device Discovery and Management

A sub-device agent running on a network device provides tools for detecting and managing sub-devices connected to the network device. The sub-device agent reports the presence of the sub-devices to a configuration manager, which provides a user interface for managing the sub-devices. The sub-devices are not directly detectable by or visible to the configuration manager. The sub-device agent provides access to the sub-devices for monitoring, configuring, updating, etc. The sub-device agent may be used to install or upgrade firmware or software on the sub-device or to monitor a status of the sub-device. Sub-device modules, such as OEM plug-ins and drivers, may be used by the sub-device agent to discover and manage the sub-devices.