Validating and parsing engine for system configuration and support command messages

Methods for parsing and validating a command message produced by a network element in a network utilizes table-drive approach. The messages are parsed by a parsing engine in object code stored at the network element and which operatively breaks down each of the messages into its constituent parameters. As each parameter is parsed, it is compared to a set of allowed values in object code stored in tables at the network element. Each validated parameter is entered into a data structure so that a valid message is populated. The methods allow for quick parsing and validation of existing messages and simple updating of the tables to allow for validation of new messages.