1. A method for configuring multiple resources in a system, comprising: providing a plurality of elements capable of configuring resources in the system, wherein each element specifies configuration parameters to use to configure instances of the resource, and wherein each resource is capable of being configured by multiple elements that provide a different configuration of the resource; maintaining service information indicating at least one service attribute that results from the configuration of the resource by the element; receiving at least one specified service attribute for a configuration; determining at least one element for each resource having service information indicating at least one performance and availability attribute that satisfies the at least one administrator specified service attribute; determining resource instances capable of being configured by the determined elements; and using the determined elements to configure the selected resource instances to implement the specified service attributes.