Method and system for visualizing a storage area network

A method and system for visualizing a SAN is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for visualizing a SAN includes scanning SAN components in the SAN to determine respective types of the SAN components and connectivity information between the SAN components. The method also includes generating a hierarchically-laid-out SAN graph by determining respective positions of the SAN components in the SAN based on the types of the SAN components and the connectivity information. The method further applying a force-directed model to the hierarchically-laid-out SAN graph to generate a SAN topology layout, wherein attractive and repulsive forces between the SAN components are tuned based on the types of the SAN components and the connectivity information. In addition, the method includes displaying the SAN topology layout on the display area of a display device in a management station coupled to the SAN.