1. A method of monitoring a managed element, said method being performed in a network management system, said method comprising: storing data representing a monitor type; receiving from a first user an address of a device at which said managed element is to be monitored; instantiating a monitor instance of a plurality of monitor instances according to said monitor type, wherein said monitor instance is associated with said address of said device; discovering, by said instantiated monitor instance, a first plurality of attributes available on said managed element by retrieving said first plurality of attributes from said managed element using said address based on receiving said address of said device; displaying said first plurality of attributes; enabling said first user to select a second plurality of attributes from said first plurality of attributes; polling, by said monitor instance, said managed element to retrieve a plurality of data points related to each of said second plurality of attributes in response to said first user selecting said second plurality of attributes, wherein said monitor instance performs polling of said device based on said first user having specified said address; storing said plurality of data points in a memory; and enabling a second user to view said plurality of data points stored in said memory.