A network router management interface for use in configuring a router and obtaining operational information provides an application programming interface (API) that permits clients to formulate requests and receive replies according to an extensible markup language such as XML. The router may transform a login stream at a router command line interface (CLI) to implement the XML-based API. For example, the management server accepts input from the CLI and, upon receipt of a particular command from the client, transforms the CLI into a programmatic interface for exchange of XML-tagged requests and XML-tagged replies according to the XML-based API. Providing access to the XML-based API via the CLI login shell enables the use of standard login, security, authentication and authorization techniques.