Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for displaying network information to a user connected to a network or sub-network manager of a hierarchical telecommunications network by providing a map on a visual display unit showing network elements and connections between network elements. A plurality of views may be selected which include not only a conventional physical view, in which all network elements and the optical fibre links between them are shown, but also one or more views showing connections at respective virtual container levels (e.g. VC-4, VC-12). In these views only the multiplexers are shown and virtual containers at the respective level are shown as lines joining the multiplexers which are their termination points.