Normalized searchable cloud layer

A system for interacting with multiple virtual datacenters via a single application programming interface (API), the system comprising:

• an API server, the API server comprising a processor, a resource evaluator, a data module, and an index, the API server providing an network-accessible endpoint operable to return a response regarding an set of resources based upon a received search request;
• wherein the index includes a datastructure mapping an API-viewable normalized attribute name to a first physical resource and a second physical resource, the first physical resource from a first plurality of physical resources associated with a first virtual datacenter under the control of a first entity, and the second physical resource from a second plurality of physical resources associated with a second virtual datacenter under the control of a second entity, the first and second physical resources being distinct from each other in configuration, name, or both;
• wherein the resource evaluator includes identifies a type and configuration of the first physical resource based upon the attributes of the first physical resource, and stores a normalized representation of the first resource type and configuration in the index;
• and wherein the resource evaluator includes identifies a type and configuration of the second physical resource based upon the attributes of the second physical resource, and stores a normalized representation of the second resource type and configuration in the index;
• wherein the attributes of the first physical resource and the attributes of the second physical resource are not represented via a common schema, and the first normalized representation and the second normalized representation are represented via a common schema, the response being compatible with the common schema;
• wherein a data module executable by the processors receives the attributes of the first physical resource from a first virtual datacenter API, and the data module receives the attributes of the second physical resource from a second virtual datacenter API.