A network management system is provided for allowing a user to interface with network management data provided by a network agent via a network. Application level logic obtains and formats the network management data to thereby create a display presented to the user. A library of software processing structures for sharing data with the network agent is provided, and an abstraction layer distinct from the library is configured in communication with the application level logic. The abstraction layer includes a pusher feature configured to facilitate the writing of data from the application level logic to the network agent and a puller feature configured to facilitate the reading of data from the network agent to the application level logic. The abstraction layer uses the library to communicate with the network agent via the network while isolating the application level logic from the library.