Abstract: A disk subsystem assures the sequence and the coherence of data updating with two or more disk subsystems is provided with an asynchronous remote copy function. A main center 9 includes a computer system having the configuration of slave subsystems 3-2 to 3-n connected with a master disk subsystem 3-1. It secures the coherence between data at the main center 9 and the remote center 10 at the temporary suspension by repeating temporary suspension and release of the temporary suspension of the remote copy by the master subsystem 3-1 at predetermined opportunities. It also repeats temporary suspension and release of the temporary suspension of the remote copy by slave subsystems 3-2 to 3-n connected to it.

Abstract: A disk subsystem assures the sequence and the coherence of data updating with two or more disk subsystems is provided with an asynchronous remote copy function. A main center 9 includes a computer system having the configuration of slave subsystems 3-2 to 3-n connected with a master disk subsystem 3-1. It secures the coherence between data at the main center 9 and the remote center 10 at the temporary suspension by repeating temporary suspension and release of the temporary suspension of the remote copy by the master subsystem 3-1 at predetermined opportunities. It also repeats temporary suspension and release of the temporary suspension of the remote copy by slave subsystems 3-2 to 3-n connected to it.

Abstract: A storage system data duplication method for copying data of a plurality of logical volumes possessed by a first storage system to a second storage system includes the steps of: (a) copying the data of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; (b) interrupting copying of the data of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; (c) starting copying of data of one or more of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; and starting copying of data of ones of the plurality of logical volumes other than the one or more logical volumes to the second storage system as delayed from the step (c), shortening a time taken until completion of data duplication on recreation of a group of paired logical volumes in a volume group after remote copy is temporarily stopped.

Abstract: In order to assign logical devices efficiently to logical units, a disk control system that receives a process command for writing or reading of data from an information processing device, and performs a write or read process of data with respect to a logical device corresponding to a logical unit specified by that process command, includes means for managing logical devices, which are logical storage regions that have been set in a storage region provided by a disk drive, means for storing a correspondence between logical units, which are storage regions that have been set logically, and the logical devices, and means for assigning, when a process command has been received for a logical unit to which no logical device has been assigned, a logical device to that logical unit and performing processing with regard to that logical device.

Abstract: A storage system data duplication method for copying data of a plurality of logical volumes possessed by a first storage system to a second storage system includes the steps of: (a) copying the data of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; (b) interrupting copying of the data of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; (c) starting copying of data of one or more of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; and starting copying of data of ones of the plurality of logical volumes other than the one or more logical volumes to the second storage system as delayed from the step (c), shortening a time taken until completion of data duplication on recreation of a group of paired logical volumes in a volume group after remote copy is temporarily stopped.

Abstract: Reduction of the initial investment cost of a user of a storage system can be realized, and the user of the storage system can easily perform timely addition for a short time. In a preferred embodiment, a method for renting and charging the storage system includes the steps of: reading a used volume from a use management table held in the storage system; and sending the read used volume from the storage system to a charging system. Preferably, the storage system has means for allowing an owner to grasp that a user starts using the storage system, wherein the owner rents to the user a storage system having a disk volume, a cache volume, and other components more than the user's increase intension, charges for a used volume of the user for a fixed period, and reviews the added volume and the charged cost on the fixed period basis.

Abstract: An asynchronous remote copy system which can ensure the data renewal order and data integrity of the disk subsystems. The system provides for data mirroring by a main center having a gateway and a remote center having a gateway, and storage systems in each center connected to the corresponding gateway. Data is mirrored through synchronous type remote copy between volumes of the storage systems of each center. The gateway of the main center sends the renewal data to the gateway of the remote center in accordance with the order of renewal of volumes, to make the gateway of the remote center reflect the renewal data upon the volumes thereof through asynchronous type remote copy.

Abstract: In order to realize asynchronous type system assuring the consistency of data with the function of disk subsystems without the need of introducing new software to a host unit and without the deterioration of the performance of a main center, in a remote copy system which copies the data to the disk subsystems of the remote center for duplicating the data in the disk subsystems of the main center, the disk subsystems give serial numbers and times to the data together with writing said data to the storage devices in the disk subsystem and transfer said data to the other disk subsystems, and the other disk subsystems arrange the two or more data in the sequence of the serial numbers, decide the oldest time among the latest time given to each of the disk subsystems communicating among the disk subsystems and the data given with the time not later than the decided oldest time are the objects of writing to each of the disk storage devices.

Abstract: A method for copying information from a first storage subsystem to a second storage subsystem is disclosed. The first and second storage subsystems are provided in a data storage system. The method comprises transmitting first data block from the first storage subsystem to the second storage subsystem, the first storage subsystem being associated with a first host computer and the second storage subsystem being associated with a second host computer; and transmitting first attribute information from the first storage subsystem to the second storage subsystem without intervention from the first host computer.

Abstract: A method for controlling a storage system including a host computer, and a first and a second storage control apparatuses each receiving a data input/output request from the host computer and executing a data input/output process for a storage device in response to the request, comprises connecting a first communication path between the host computer and the first apparatus; connecting a second communication path between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; receiving by the first apparatus a first data input/output request from the host computer through the first path; when the first apparatus has judged that the first request is not for the first apparatus, transmitting by the first apparatus a second data input/output request corresponding to the first request, to the second apparatus through the second path; and by the second apparatus, receiving the second request and executing a data input/output process corresponding to the second request received.

Abstract: Reduction of the initial investment cost of a user of a storage system can be realized, and the user of the storage system can easily perform timely addition for a short time. In a preferred embodiment, a method for renting and charging the storage system includes the steps of: reading a used volume from a use management table held in the storage system; and sending the read used volume from the storage system to a charging system. Preferably, the storage system has means for allowing an owner to grasp that a user starts using the storage system, wherein the owner rents to the user a storage system having a disk volume, a cache volume, and other components more than the user's increase intension, charges for a used volume of the user for a fixed period, and reviews the added volume and the charged cost on the fixed period basis.

Abstract: A disk subsystem assures the sequence and the coherence of data updating with two or more disk subsystems is provided with an asynchronous remote copy function. A main center 9 includes a computer system having the configuration of slave subsystems 3-2 to 3-n connected with a master disk subsystem 3-1. It secures the coherence between data at the main center 9 and the remote center 10 at the temporary suspension by repeating temporary suspension and release of the temporary suspension of the remote copy by the master subsystem 3-1 at predetermined opportunities. It also repeats temporary suspension and release of the temporary suspension of the remote copy by slave subsystems 3-2 to 3-n connected to it.

Abstract: Reduction of the initial investment cost of a user of a storage system can be realized, and the user of the storage system can easily perform timely addition for a short time. In a preferred embodiment, a method for renting and charging the storage system includes the steps of: reading a used volume from a use management table held in the storage system; and sending the read used volume from the storage system to a charging system. Preferably, the storage system has means for allowing an owner to grasp that a user starts using the storage system, wherein the owner rents to the user a storage system having a disk volume, a cache volume, and other components more than the user's increase intension, charges for a used volume of the user for a fixed period, and reviews the added volume and the charged cost on the fixed period basis.

Abstract: A storage system data duplication method for copying data of a plurality of logical volumes possessed by a first storage system to a second storage system includes the steps of: (a) copying the data of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; (b) interrupting copying of the data of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; (c) starting copying of data of one or more of the plurality of logical volumes to the second storage system; and starting copying of data of ones of the plurality of logical volumes other than the one or more logical volumes to the second storage system as delayed from the step (c), shortening a time taken until completion of data duplication on recreation of a group of paired logical volumes in a volume group after remote copy is temporarily stopped.

Abstract: A disk array subsystem includes a logical volume allocation controller, which divides and reallocates data of the same logical volume LVN among a plurality of magnetic disk drive groups when a magnetic disk group is added thereto. Successful logical-volume allocation can reduce the I/O processing frequency between magnetic disk drive groups, thus achieving enhanced performance of the disk array subsystem.