A network management and administration system provisioning data links in an optical networking environment is provided. The network management and administration system makes use of connectivity information in establishing and monitoring data links. The connectivity information includes data link termination specifications. Data link termination specifications include port and channel specifications. Each port may have a channelized or an unchannelized configuration. A virtual channel having a data transport capacity substantially equal to that of a corresponding unchannelized port is defined therefor. The advantages include a standardized, concise and comprehensive provisioning and presentation of data links.