1. A computer implemented method for modeling a distributed system composed of a plurality of physical and logical elements, the method comprising the steps of: representing for a model selected ones of the plurality of physical and logical elements of the distributed system as a plurality of generic objects; organizing selected ones of the generic objects within each of a plurality of model layers, the model layers representing at least one function of the distributed system; determining behavioral relationships among generic objects within each of the model layers; and determining behavioral relationships among selected ones of the generic objects among each of the model layers, said selected generic objects representing layer endpoints, wherein information between model layers is passed through said layer endpoints; wherein the generic objects help provide for maintenance of a higher level service function without need of having knowledge of the physical and logical elements of the distributed system and enables performance regardless of any transmission medium layer of the distributed system and further enabling adaption of the model for changing network components, protocols and configurations.