A controller network device, in a network control layer of a service provider network, receives one or more parameters for providing particular services over a service provider network and provides, to a forwarding network device in a network resources layer of the service provider network, a capabilities query. The capabilities query includes a feature type identifier for a feature required to support the parameters. The controller network device receives, from the forwarding network device, a response to the capabilities query, wherein a format for the response is one of a binary response format, a conditional response format, or a value response format. The controller network device compiles the response with responses from other forwarding network devices to define a network map for supporting the particular services.