1. A method for communicating information between network elements in accordance with a set of directives, including the steps of: providing a first network element; installing a first communications software module onto said first network element, said first communications software module is configured to execute communications functionality according to a communications interface specification having a core portion and an extensible portion, said extensible portion is configured to incorporate a first set of directives, said first set of directives including one or more modules of directives, and where said communications functionality performs actions that include receiving and transmitting a first set of message types that are configured to incorporate particular types and structures of data, and where said message types incorporating said particular types and structures of data are defined by directives within said first set of directives; and operating said first communications software module to perform said actions.