A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for
hierarchically encoding indicators used to identify an instance of a
device. Multiple nodes are included. Each node includes an implemented
instance of a device. Multiple hierarchical indicators and multiple
identity indicators are provided. Each one of the hierarchical indicators
is associated with a different one of the nodes. Each one of the identity
indicators is associated with a different one of the devices. One of the
hierarchical indicators and one of the identity indicators are used for
identifying an instance of one of the devices.