Universal database schema and use

A database manager utilizes a same physical database schema to store attribute information associated with each of multiple resources in a storage area network environment. For example, the database manager maintains a fixed number of (or a relatively small number of) relational database tables to store information associated with any of multiple types of storage area network resources and corresponding attributes. The database manager uses a portion of the relational database tables (e.g., a resource type table and property type table) to store metadata such as resource types and corresponding resource attribute information. The database manager uses another portion of the relational database tables (e.g., an object instance table and one or more different data tables) to store actual data associated with storage area network resources.