A port optimization component and method for selecting a pair of ports, each port having predetermined operating parameters, for connecting to a storage device in a storage area network, the port optimization component comprising: a determination component for requesting configuration data and policy data pertaining to a storage device in response to a request to configure access to the storage device; and the determination component for comparing the configuration data to the policy data to determine a difference in operating parameters for each storage device port located on the storage device and in dependence on the detected difference, selecting a pair of ports having a preferred operating parameter.