An example method includes identifying, based on a received indication, at least a first network device that is to be placed in the maintenance mode, determining device information for the first network device, sending, to the first network device, first configuration information included in the device information to cause the first network device to switch into a maintenance mode and enable diversion of network traffic from the first network device to a second network device, responsive to verifying that the first network device has diverted the traffic, initiating maintenance procedures on the first network device while the first network device is in the maintenance mode, and sending, to the first network device, second configuration information included in the device information to cause the first network device to switch out of the maintenance mode and enable reversion of network traffic from the second device to the first network device.