In a system which includes a configurable router which is configurable both as an edge router and a hub/backbone router and also including a router special needs agent (RSNA), a method which includes performing the steps of turning on active CoS/QoS provisioning between the configurable router and the RSNA such that the RSNA provides active cost of service (CoS)/quality of service (QoS) provisioning for packets entering the configurable router and such that the configurable router operates in an edge router mode and turning off (CoS)/quality of service (QoS) provisioning by the RSNA such that the configurable router operates in a hub/backbone router mode.