Generic control interface with multi-level status

A generic control interface for creating a control module for a service. The interface includes a facility that encapsulates the specific control commands or actions for the service in generic functions. A control module inherits or incorporates the generic functions and provides an interface between a specific service and the controlling product, thereby enabling the controlling product to control a specific service using generic functions. The functions may include a multi-level status check function, a health probe function and a customizable control or request function. The multi-level status check function assess the service's operability, aliveness and availability. A controlling product can control or monitor the service through the service's associated control module without requiring a detailed understanding of the specific operations necessary for controlling or monitoring the specific service.