Techniques for model-based analysis of a data center. A method includes creating a metamodel based on domain knowledge to represent a type of object and/or relationship of a data center, using static and dynamic configuration and data analysis techniques to discover topology of elements of the data center and represent the topology as a model that is an instance of the metamodel, extending the metamodel, using the model to perform analysis of the data center in connection with a specified task, leveraging domain knowledge represented in nodes of the extended metamodel to guide the analysis in terms of determining guidelines to apply to each node and determining relationships to traverse to continue the analysis, extending the domain knowledge by updating the extended metamodel upon discovery of additional knowledge for use in improving analysis tasks, and extending the model on-demand using dynamic analysis techniques upon detection of multiple analysis failures.