A method, apparatus and computer-program product for modeling distributed systems is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of representing selected ones of a plurality of physical and logical elements as a plurality of objects, organizing the selected ones of the objects within each of the plurality of model layers, the model layers representing at least one function of the distributed network, determining behavioral relationships among objects within each of the model layers and determining behavioral relationships among selected ones of the objects among each of the model layers, said selected objects representing layer endpoints, wherein information between model layers is passed through said layer endpoints. The apparatus recites a processor for performing the steps of the disclosed method and the computer-program product provides code or instruction to a processor for executing the disclosed method steps.