Embodiments of this application disclose a data obtaining method. A first device serving as a network management device may generate a first message including a first keyword. The first message is used to indicate a second device to determine a first path in which the second device stores a parameter determined by the first keyword, and send the first path to the first device. The second device may be a device managed by the first device. Then, the first device may send the first message to the second device. After receiving the first message, the second device may determine the first path in which the second device stores the parameter determined by the first keyword, add the determined first path to a second message, and send the second message to the first device.