A method of graphically depicting various network elements of a communications network in a virtual network topology via a graphical user interface (“GUI”) is disclosed. The virtual network topology depicts logical relationships between network components instead of merely depicting physical network component relationships. A system network subset and a monitoring network subset of the communications network are defined according to one layer N of the open system interconnection (“OSI”) layer model. Various logical links are established between the system network and the monitoring network. A virtual topology is defined that depicts the various logical links according to another OSI layer M. The virtual topology is displayed via a GUI that enables modification of the logical links to occur.