and varied events that degrade its ability to serve its customers. Network management of large networks that span multiple networks, network technologies, network events (faults, performance, security, other disruptions) is a multidimensional problem. While, policy based network management frameworks have been proposed to help manage the complexity, additional frameworks are needed to help manage network of networks. In this paper, a finite state machine based aggregation of network events, N-State, is proposed, as a framework to manage complex networks and as a PBNM framework extension to manage network of networks. N-state, targeted network behavior for each state, and collaboratively developed PBNM policies mapped to state and targeted behavior, provide a means for network operators to comprehend overall network situation, assess overall network degradation, collaborate in restoration of network services and intervene when necesary.