A method for use in management of network elements in a communications network performed by a network element of said network. The method comprises receiving by an agent operating in said network element a request to execute a first function, wherein said first function relates to management of at least one network element; sending to said first function a message corresponding to said request and executing said first function. Said request being from a predefined set of requests and said first function being from a predefined set of functions. Said first function is implemented in a network element where it is to be executed.