1. A network element management system (NEMS) including processing equipment adapted to perform a method of analyzing a plurality of network elements configured to support at least one established communication path in a network, the method comprising: (a) receiving from one of a plurality of network elements included within an established communication path, a notification signal indicative of the existence of the established communication path; (b) requesting local network information from a network element included within the established communication path; (c) receiving from the network element the requested local network information, the local network information comprising one or more of topology information, connection information and performance information; (d) analyzing the received local network information to map an associated portion of the established communication path; (e) responsive to the received local network information and the corresponding mapped portion of the established communication path, selecting a next network element of the established communication path; and repeating steps (b)-(e) for the next selected network element.