Embodiments of an application programming interface (API) for a Storage Area Network (SAN) access layer. A SAN may include a SAN access layer as an interface between SAN components and client applications. A SAN access layer API may be provided which enables a client application to access SAN access layer functionality such as storage management and configuration services. Through the SAN access layer API, a client application may invoke some or all of the functionalities of the SAN access layer. The SAN access layer may provide SAN information gathered from the SAN to the client application through the SAN access layer API. Embodiments of the SAN access layer API may provide security and licensing restrictions to client applications. Embodiments of the SAN access layer API may encapsulate message conversion and network transport functions so that client application developers are not required to implement these functions.