1. A computer implemented method for managing virtual computing zones on a host computer, the host computer being part of a computer network, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring characteristics associated with the virtual computing zones, wherein the monitoring comprises gathering data in response to a triggering event; normalizing the gathered characteristics data of each virtual computing zone to match characteristics of a global computing zone including the virtual computing zones, wherein the normalizing comprises converting the gathered characteristics data to a characteristics data format associated with the global computing zone; managing the virtual computing zones and the global computing zone based on the normalized characteristics data; and collecting data from the at least one of the virtual computing zones on the host computer, wherein collecting includes sampling with a zone probe and wherein the zone probe collected data includes mandatory key service indicators, service level information, and service degradation alerts.