Abstract: A graphical user interface provides a navigation model in the form of a hierarchical tree structure which is representative of a server system a user selected to manage. The hierarchical tree structure is populated or built to include a number of icons representative of different classes or categories of major components and their associated subcomponents contained in the selected server system and their logical relationships. In response to user icon selections, the navigation model expands and collapses the tree structure in a predetermined manner so as to enable the user to easily navigate through the different levels of components and subcomponents of the server with a minimum amount of information and determine status in addition to setting threshold values for items to be managed within the server system.