A method implemented in a service layer entity of a communications network, the method comprising: activating, at the service layer entity, one or more adaptation rules for modifying one or more characteristics of the service layer entity based on one or more operational metrics of the service layer entity, wherein the operational metrics of the service layer entity comprise one or more service layer metrics, wherein the service layer metrics comprise one or more of a resource discovery latency, a semantic query latency, a database read latency, a database write latency, a request processing latency, a throughput, an error rate, a number of pending requests, a number of subscription resources, and a notification rate; receiving, from another entity in communication with the service layer entity, a request to perform an operation at the service layer entity, wherein the service layer entity operates using a service layer that is a service supporting service capabilities through a set of application programming interfaces, APIs; determining, at the service layer entity and based on the one or more adaptation rules, that the operation is not capable of being executed by the service layer entity; in response to determining that the operation is not capable of being executed by the service layer entity, transmitting, by the service layer entity, a request for additional resources to be utilized by the service layer entity or to move an application, a service, or a service instance to another platform; receiving a response indicating that the application, service or service instance, respectively, should move to a different physical platform capable of executing the operation; and moving the application, service or service instance, respectively, to the different physical platform. activating, at the service layer entity, one or more adaptation rules for modifying one or more characteristics of the service layer entity based on one or more operational metrics of the service layer entity, wherein the operational metrics of the service layer entity comprise one or more service layer metrics, wherein the service layer metrics comprise one or more of a resource discovery latency, a semantic query latency, a database read latency, a database write latency, a request processing latency, a throughput, an error rate, a number of pending requests, a number of subscription resources, and a notification rate; receiving, from another entity in communication with the service layer entity, a request to perform an operation at the service layer entity, wherein the service layer entity operates using a service layer that is a service supporting service capabilities through a set of application programming interfaces, APIs; determining, at the service layer entity and based on the one or more adaptation rules, that the operation is not capable of being executed by the service layer entity; in response to determining that the operation is not capable of being executed by the service layer entity, transmitting, by the service layer entity, a request for additional resources to be utilized by the service layer entity or to move an application, a service, or a service instance to another platform; receiving a response indicating that the application, service or service instance, respectively, should move to a different physical platform capable of executing the operation; and moving the application, service or service instance, respectively, to the different physical platform.