1. A computerized method for managing a computer network, the method comprising: forming a first representation of a network element as a physical entity in an information model, the first representation having a form independent of an implementation defined by a vendor; mapping a portion of the first representation from the information model to a second representation in a vendor-independent data model residing in a first repository, the second representation having a form suitable for use with the first repository; and mapping, the second representation into a third representation in a vendor-dependent data model, wherein the third representation is optimized for implementing the network element.