A method is disclosed for automatically configuring network devices of a data network having at least two configurable network devices, whose configuration parameters are deployable over the data network to the configurable network devices from an initial configuration state to a desired configuration state. At least one of the configurable network devices is from a first type of network devices, whose configuration requires a pre-defined series of at least one intermediate configuration state. A central deployment network device determines the actual state of each configurable network device for comparing with desired states of the configurable network devices, and in case of a difference, determines a subsequent intermediate and or respective subsequent desired configuration state wherein actual states of the configurable network devices are considered.