A method of upgrading a platform in a subscriber gateway device involves remote management. The platform includes an operating system, a management agent, and a management information object. The management agent responds to remote management requests received by the subscriber gateway device. The management information object indicates a service interruption impact assessment of a subscriber gateway device as determined by a current status of the subscriber gateway device. According to the method, a request is sent to the management agent, and in response to the request, a value of the management information object is returned. Based upon the response, it is determined whether or not to initiate a platform upgrade for the subscriber gateway device.