Network architectural roles of packet switching devices are automatically determined by retrieving and analyzing configuration information of the packet switching devices. The retrieved configuration information typically includes operational details of the packet switching operations performed by the packet switching device, with these retrieved operational details being analyzed in order to identify one or more network architectural roles being performed by a particular packet switching device. Examples of such identified network architectural role include, but are not limited to, a customer edge device, a provider edge device, and a user-facing provider edge device. Knowing the architectural role performed by a packet switching device is useful for operations, administration, maintenance and provisioning of networks of these packet switching devices.