A framework for extending a network management platform, including an object manager that retrieves an entire class hierarchy including any code or other functionality needed to retrieve data about a server or other network device (e.g., code needed to retrieve actual instances of an object of the class). The object manager holds the object hierarchy and initiates retrieval of actual instances of the object. The class hierarchies are maintained in plug-in type Object Providers. Newly developed network technologies are managed via managed objects defined by class hierarchies held by the Object providers. The Object Provider can be seamlessly installed in an existing extensible network management platform.