Methods and apparatus for retrieving software information, e.g., generic information such as version numbers, etc., from network elements in an automated fashion are described. A control server communicates with network elements in an automated manner at scheduled intervals. The control server establishes a communication session with a network element, e.g., a Telnet session, and retrieves software information at the scheduled intervals. The communication session may include logging into the network element, retrieving software generic information, and then logging out. Collected generic information is analyzed to detect changes. E-mail notifications of detected changes is supported. Collected information is maintained in a database which is accessible to authorized individuals via the Internet. Alarms are generated when detected changes result in software combinations known to produce errors. A log of network errors is maintained along with information indicating when software was changed to facilitate detection of the cause of errors.