1. A method for defining the scope of applications in a distributed network environment having a plurality of networked computers with internet protocol (IP) drivers comprising the steps of: defining the physical scope for each of said IP Drivers in the distributed network; discovering the physical network by scanning with said IP drivers; mapping the physical network into a graphical network representation; creating a logical network comprising components of said mapped physical network; and defining the logical scope for each application based on the logical network and the mapped physical network.