A storage area network (SAN) system that includes a self-contained storage system is managed by a three-tier management system. Management of the self-contained storage system and data services for that system is provided by a three-tiered dedicated management system mirroring the management system that manages the SAN system. In both the SAN management system and the dedicated management system the lowest, or agent, tier comprises Common Information Model (CIM) provider objects that can configure and control the internal components, including the internal switch fabric and disks of both systems. The middle, or logic, tier of the dedicated management system is a set of management facades and federated Java beans. In order to integrate the dedicated management system with the SAN management system, the beans comprising the middle tier of the dedicated management system are also deployed in a shared Jiro.TM. station associated with the SAN management system.