A method of managing a plurality of components of a networked system from a framework of the networked system, said framework being a software for minimizing the delay experienced by the recipients of the services provided by the components when those components fail, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a composite resource that includes a plurality of members residing on a plurality of nodes in the networked system, where each member of said plurality of said members is capable of providing a common service, wherein said composite resource is configured to remain active as long as specified conditions are satisfied; monitoring, using framework resources, a state of each member of said composite resource; causing a component of the networked system that requires said common service to request said service from said framework resources; providing said service to said component by: arranging, by said framework resources, for said service to be provided to said component by a member of said composite resource, wherein any active member of the composite resource can be used to provide the service to the component; when said member arranged to provide the service ceases to be active, automatically causing said service to be provided to said component by another member of said plurality of members, wherein any active member can be used to provide the service to the component; maintaining a state of the composite resource independently of the state of each member of said composite resource such that the state of the composite resource remains active so long as said specified conditions are satisfied; and when said specified conditions are not satisfied, rendering said service unavailable to a component requesting said service. establishing a composite resource that includes a plurality of members residing on a plurality of nodes in the networked system, where each member of said plurality of said members is capable of providing a common service, wherein said composite resource is configured to remain active as long as specified conditions are satisfied; monitoring, using framework resources, a state of each member of said composite resource; causing a component of the networked system that requires said common service to request said service from said framework resources; providing said service to said component by: arranging, by said framework resources, for said service to be provided to said component by a member of said composite resource, wherein any active member of the composite resource can be used to provide the service to the component; when said member arranged to provide the service ceases to be active, automatically causing said service to be provided to said component by another member of said plurality of members, wherein any active member can be used to provide the service to the component; maintaining a state of the composite resource independently of the state of each member of said composite resource such that the state of the composite resource remains active so long as said specified conditions are satisfied; and when said specified conditions are not satisfied, rendering said service unavailable to a component requesting said service. arranging, by said framework resources, for said service to be provided to said component by a member of said composite resource, wherein any active member of the composite resource can be used to provide the service to the component; when said member arranged to provide the service ceases to be active, automatically causing said service to be provided to said component by another member of said plurality of members, wherein any active member can be used to provide the service to the component; maintaining a state of the composite resource independently of the state of each member of said composite resource such that the state of the composite resource remains active so long as said specified conditions are satisfied; and when said specified conditions are not satisfied, rendering said service unavailable to a component requesting said service.