A method and apparatus for managing the availability and assignment of data in a storage
system that is coupled to a network. A
user interface is provided that executes on a
host processor that is coupled to the storage
system over the network. The
user interface communicates with a configuration
database in the storage
system to identify host processors that are logged into the storage system over the network, to identify storage volumes on the storage system, to identify whether access to a particular storage volume on the storage system is permitted from a particular
host processor, and to identify a network path by which host processors are logged into the storage system over the network. In one embodiment, a
graphical user interface is provided that can be used to graphically represent host processors, host
bus adapters, storage systems, and storage system adapters and storage volumes on the storage system. The graphical representation provided by the
graphical user interface permits a user to graphically view a topology of the network at varying levels of detail, selectable by the user. The
graphical user interface also permits a user to allow or deny access to storage systems or a particular storage volume on storage system from one or more of the host processors, host
bus adapters, etc., by selecting and manipulating graphical representations thereof. In another embodiment, a command line
user interface is provided with similar functionality.