A method of managing a communications system is disclosed. The method begins with the creation of a resource control block corresponding to a resource of the communications system. The communications system includes, for example, a processor and a resource coupled to the processor. The resource control block maintains information regarding the resource. The method also provides for the maintenance of the resource control block. The processor is configured to maintain the resource control block, and the resource control block is maintained by the processor in response to communications (e.g., a keep-alive message) between the processor and the resource. This embodiment can also include the creation of a processor resource control block corresponding to the processor that is created by the controller in response to a power-up message from the resource. The resource can be, for example, a hardware component of the communications system.