1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a system comprising a processor, a data element from a first storage layer device that consolidates storage of network data relating to networks and network components and storage of application data relating to applications in response to the data element being determined not to be present in a data cache of a second storage layer device; caching, by the system, the data element in the data cache of the second storage layer device according to a cache retention protocol defining a time period for retention of the data element in the second storage layer device; and removing, by the system, the data element from the second storage layer device after the time period has been determined to have elapsed.