A method for interfacing with a storage system having a plurality of elements, the elements having a visible relationship with each other, and being coupled to a system control unit including a display. The method includes drawing an image of the elements on the display, the image having the visible relationship and modifying the image of one of the elements to represent a property of the element. The method further includes, in response to an input from a user of the storage system to the system control unit, making a change in the property of the element and representing the change in the image.