Abstract: A system for monitoring constituents of a network is disclosed. The system includes an automation engine in communication with the constituent. Code written in a service description language contains extractable information to permit the automation engine to obtain raw operation data nascent from the constituent. The system also includes at least one module for processing the code and providing the extractable information to the automation engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring network resources is disclosed. Code for use in instructing components in a network monitoring system is provided. The components include at least one data gathering for gathering operation data from a monitor network constituent. A main computer system has a database for storing the operation data. A data forwarder permits communication of the operation data from the data gather to the computer system. The computer system is remotely located from the data gatherer. The code includes information for creating custom tables in the database to hold the operation data. Information permits the data gatherer to selectively gather the operation data from other possible data that is capable of being gathered from the monitor constituent.