The invention features a system and method for installing and configuring a common software load in optical network elements. In brief overview, a configurable hardware abstraction layer (HAL) is interposed between the application software and the drivers in the common software load. With the use of a configurable HAL, network elements embodying the invention can use the same common software load for each type of card. Hence, an installer updating or originally configuring the cards in a plurality of network elements can accommodate all of the cards with the transmission of one software load. Instead of centrally tracking and organizing card specific software loads, the common software load in combination with the HAL manages the installation and upgrading process on the local card level.