Selective downloading of specific code images to broadband terminals

Methods and apparatus are provided for distributing software code to particular end user terminals in a broadband network. Code images are provided to the broadband terminals via a collection of objects structure. In an illustrated embodiment a network system controller, such as a CATV headend, transmits an image that includes a Code Section Lookup Table followed by a common code section. The common code section is followed by specific code sections for the broadband terminals coupled to the network. For example, specific code sections can be provided for (i) different hardware configurations in the broadband terminal operator's population, (ii) different device driver code necessary to support primary and second-sourced broadband terminals, (iii) a plurality of different broadband terminal models coupled to the network; (iv) different software features available to the broadband terminals, and/or (v) different protocols supported in the field.