A network topology data structure resides in a memory system and is representative of topology of a fiber-channel network. The data structure has at least one device record with pointers for linking device records into a device list, information about a device accessible over the network, and pointers for locating a path link list. The data structure also has at least one node record having pointers for linking node records into a node list, node identity information, and pointers for locating device records. Path link lists, accessible through device records, have path links. Path links have pointers for linking path links into the path link list, and path status information corresponding to status of a path through the fiber channel network.