1. A method of generating a user interface having a graphical topological representation of an information system, the method comprising: collecting information regarding connections between components in the information system; classifying the components and into a plurality of classes; and displaying the graphical topological representation of the information system in said user interface with a predetermined number of columns, each column containing icons representing components of an identified class different from identified classes of components in the other columns, said icons being arranged in said columns so as to display topology of the system in a matrix-like arrangement.