A method of estimating a topology of a network in which an estimated geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is automatically generated from data providing the geographic location of the network component and the geographic location of the terminal network element. If the estimated geographic path includes an intersection of separate branches of the path located a predetermined distance from the network component in a downstream direction extending from the network component to the terminal network element, the estimated geographic path is automatically adjusted by replacing the intersection in the estimated geographic path with separate non-intersecting paths extending from different outlet ports of the network component to the separate branches.