Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of managing a computer network includes installing an agent in each of a plurality of network nodes in the network. The agent may be configured to identify one or more types of network resources attached to a particular node with which the agent is associated. One or more roles may be assigned to or by the agent based, at least in part, upon the one or more types of network resources identified by the agent. Functions associated with the identified roles may be executed. Monitoring the status of each agent may also be carried out. In another embodiment, a network management system includes an agent executing within an associated network node of the network. The agent may be configured to operate so as to identify one or more types of resources attached to the network node. The agent may be assigned one or more roles based, at least in part, on an inference based upon the one or more types of attached resources identified by the agent.