Each system is autonomous - in a component pool each machine is completely independent of each other. However, not each pool is independent of each other. Nemesis communicates with Hermes and Mors. Ares communicates with Hermes, Nemesis and Demeter.
Hermes, being the ``police officer'' is the most critical component. Without Hermes presence, Ares would be unable to find its required components and newly started services would be unable to find their required services. Thought components that already have found their services and are communicating are not affected (unless one of the components fails and its necessary to find an replacement).