In one embodiment, a method includes processing network data models at a network device configured to operate in a network comprising one or more network components associated with one of the network data models, generating representations of the network data models, the representations comprising labels for elements in the network data models, comparing the labels associated with leaf nodes of the network data models to identify matching leaf nodes, comparing the labels associated with parent nodes of the matching leaf nodes to identify a strength of matching, and mapping at least two of the network data models at the network device based on the strength of matching for use in a network application. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.