a method , system , and article of manufacture that help system administrators visualize the relationship between a global setting and the setting in each instance . one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving a selection of a setting , determining an inheritance state for the selected setting , and displaying a graphical indication of the inheritance state of the selected setting . in some embodiments , the method further comprises displaying a graphical indication of the inheritance relationship between the selected setting and at least one related setting . the method may also include receiving a change inheritance relationship command , and changing the inheritance relationship for the selected setting .