In one aspect, a multiple mode data structure can be utilized by a storage management system to provide a host representation role in one mode, and represent both a host and a host port in another mode. In one embodiment, in a first mode, the data structure has an undefined host port name attribute and a defined host name attribute to represent a host identified by the defined host name attribute. In the first mode, the data structure is restricted from representing a host port in the storage management system when the host port name attribute is undefined. In a second, unrestricted mode, the multiple mode data structure can represent both a host as well as a host port when a host port name attribute is defined. In one embodiment, the multiple mode data structure can also represent a host cluster. Other aspects are described.