A rule engine process utilizes so-called validator functions to identify how to apply specified sets of different rules to respective types of resources in a storage area network environment. For example, a rule engine initially receives information indicating a given storage area network resource to be validated. The rule engine process identifies a type or characteristic associated with the given resource and, thereafter, selects one of multiple respective validator functions to test the given resource. The selected validator function specifies rule processing information such as which rules to apply to the identified type of resource, an order for applying the rules, and conditions whether certain rules will be applied to the given resource based on an outcome of previously applied rules. In one embodiment, application of a set of rules specified by a respective validator function can yield a range of different types of error and/or warning information.