Searching, according to the type information of a network device, for a transport layer protocol supported by the network device in a transport layer architecture of a network configuration protocol (NETCONF) configuration framework and definition information which is to be used to implement a connection to the network device. Establishing a NETCONF session to the network device by using the transport layer protocol and the definition information. During establishment of the NETCONF session, comparing a first NETCONF capability set obtained from the network device with a second NETCONF capability set which is supported by the NMS and is defined in a metadata definition file. Assigning an intersection of the first NETCONF capability set and the second NETCONF capability set as an active capability set. Then, performing a network configuration access to the network device based on the active capability set.