Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing, in a network storage system, a topology set to a storage administrator for selection of a topology to implement a new protection policy for a dataset. A topology includes a mapping between storage objects participating to effectuate an existing protection policy and storage objects participating to effectuate the new protection policy. When a storage administrator selects a new protection policy, a storage manager automatically generates a number of topology options including a storage object participating in the existing protection policy. According to a priority rule, the storage manager determines the priority of the topologies by computing a priority indicator for each of the topologies. In certain embodiments, the topology set is displayed to a storage administrator including the priority indicator for each topology for informing the storage administrator the relative preference of each topology. The storage administrator thereby selects a topology for configuring storage objects to participate in effectuating the new protection policy.