1. A method for providing communications services using a services layer model for providing standards-based, open communications in a communications framework comprising: providing a communications framework having a hardware-independent architecture with a services layer model, the communications framework specifying functional components capable of creating Next Generation Network (NGN) solutions, relationship of the components to each other, and interfaces between the components, the communications framework defining a layered network architecture that utilizes open standard interfaces to communicate between layers, the communications framework including: an application layer configured for solution specific telecommunication applications; an application services layer; a middleware layer configured for middleware; a platform services layer; an operating system layer configured for a plurality of operating systems; a modular hardware services layer; and a hardware layer configured for a plurality of mechanical and electronic parts; and providing communications services using the services layer model; wherein the services layers are provided based upon open-standards to communicate data between the application layer and the middleware layer, between the middleware layer and the operating system layer, and between the operating system layer and the hardware layer; wherein the services layers integrate open standards, open source software, and commercially available components into service providers' network delivery platforms so as to enable the delivery of multi-vendor services, content, and applications; wherein the services layers interoperate to establish and maintain relationships among distributed, communication components so that solution integrators can utilize these service layers to properly position and map various communication standards and various commercial off the shelf (COTS) communication solutions to eliminate gaps and overlaps, thereby enabling the construction of communication solutions in a modular fashion; wherein the application services layer is a layer of abstraction between the application layer and the middleware layer and is configured to include a plurality of open-standard and technology independent interfaces, each interface for communicating information between applications in the application layer and middleware in the middleware layer, so that a same application can access multiple network infrastructures, wherein services specified by the application services layer comprise protocol services, OAM&P services, and telecommunication application services; wherein the platform services layer is a layer of abstraction between the middleware layer and the operating system layer and is configured for a plurality of open-standard interfaces, each interface for communicating information between middleware in the middleware layer and operating systems in the operating system layer, wherein services specified by the platform services layer comprise IP workload management services, security intelligence and system modeling services, database modeling and connectivity services, and messaging services; wherein the hardware services layer is a layer of abstraction between the operating system layer and the hardware layer and is configured for a plurality of open-standard interfaces, each interface for communicating information between operating systems in the operating system layer and hardware in the hardware layer, wherein services specified by the hardware services layer comprise storage services, hardware acceleration services, device drivers, firmware services, and hardware management services; and wherein the operating system layer comprises carrier grade operating system enhancements including at least one of improved resource locking, heartbeat timers, hardened device drivers, low latency file systems, soft realtime task scheduling, and high performance process threading.