Abstract: Techniques are provided for creating a backup copy. An instant virtual copy operation is received for copying one or more blocks of data from a source storage to a target storage. For each block of data to be copied from the source storage, a location identifier for the block of data is obtained. The block of data is copied from the source storage to the target storage along with the location identifier. A system having an integrated storage device controller is provided. Disk storage is attached to the integrated storage device controller. One or more tape drives are attached to the integrated storage device controller. A user interface is provided by the integrated storage device controller to enable receipt of commands for direct copying of data between the disk storage and the one or more tape drives.