1. A method for achieving automatic restoration of at least one of a plurality of network elements in a telecommunications network upon the occurrence of a disaster, comprising the steps of: receiving from each network element an update indicative of a configuration change to said each network element as said change occurs; storing said updates; maintaining a restoration map of said each network element and updating said map in accordance with stored updates, if any, corresponding to said each network element; retrieving said restoration map for said each network element upon said element becoming element inoperative; and employing the restoration map to restore service previously provided by said each network element.