Abstract: A volume provider unit in a computer system that detects a logical block address of a read or write I/O accessing a logical volume of a storage device from a host. According to the logical block address fetched, a storage domain of the logical volume is dynamically expanded. Moreover, the storage domain of the logical volume is reduced or expanded according to an instruction of logical volume capacity reduction or expansion from a host commander part to a volume server.

Abstract: A clustered storage system includes a plurality of nodes and a management server that consolidates physical position information concerning data in each of the nodes. The management server includes a process to relate the information to the configuration of the clustered storage system and the configuration of each node and present such relations. Each node has a process to obtain the size and load of resources that are used in processing. The management server has a process to collect and tally such resource usage status from each node, and a process to relate the resource usage status, the data information and configuration information to each other and present the relations in a hierarchy. The clustered storage system has a process to move logical volumes among nodes in a manner transparent to the host computer.

Abstract: In a cluster-structured disk subsystem, when creating a volume for an online backup separately from a volume for a normal I/O, it is desirable to be able to achieve such a creation for any volume under subsystem. Further, with an increase in the capacity of the subsystem, it becomes more difficult for a user to determine where to place a volume to which data is to be copied. Thus, a cluster-structured storage system is provided in which it is possible to reference/renew snapshot control information in shared memory of other clusters and achieve a snapshot between clusters via an inter-cluster connecting mechanism. In this system, control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a volume to which data is to be copied is suggested to the user.

Abstract: In an information processing system including a central processor for generating commands to process storage data stored and for executing a sequence processing and a storage subsystem including a plurality of storage media for transferring data between the plural storage media according to commands from the central processor, a data recovery method recovers data to a predetermined state upon occurrence of a failure in a sequence of processing executed by the central processor. Before execution of a sequence of processing, the central processor issues to the storage subsystem a saving request to save in the plural storage media a copy of data stored in either one of the storage media used in the sequence of processing. In response to the saving request, the storage subsystem saves a copy of data of the storage media.

Abstract: A host and a storage system each keep a shared identifier indicating a state of a system. The storage system acquires, at update of data, a data pair including data for a change through processing of the host and data before the update. The storage system relates the data pair to a shared identifier. When the host indicates an identifier, the storage system restores data using the data pair.

Abstract: According to the present invention, techniques for controlling copying of logical volumes within a computer storage system are provided. A representative embodiment includes a plurality of storage devices controlled by a control unit, one or more processors, and a buffer memory for temporarily storing data read from the storage devices within the control unit. The storage devices can be addressed as logical volumes.

Abstract: A host and a storage system each keep a shared identifier indicating a state of a system. The storage system acquires, at update of data, a data pair including data for a change through processing of the host and data before the update. The storage system relates the data pair to a shared identifier. When the host indicates an identifier, the storage system restores data using the data pair.

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: A volume provider unit in a computer system that detects a logical block address of a read or write I/O accessing a logical volume of a storage device from a host. According to the logical block address fetched, a storage domain of the logical volume is dynamically expanded. Moreover, the storage domain of the logical volume is reduced or expanded according to an instruction of logical volume capacity reduction or expansion from a host commander part to a volume server.

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: According to the present invention, techniques for controlling copying of logical volumes within a computer storage system are provided. A representative embodiment includes a plurality of storage devices controlled by a control unit, one or more processors, and a buffer memory for temporarily storing data read from the storage devices within the control unit. The storage devices can be addressed as logical volumes.

Abstract: A volume provider unit in a computer system that detects a logical block address of a read or write I/O accessing a logical volume of a storage device from a host. According to the logical block address fetched, a storage domain of the logical volume is dynamically expanded. Moreover, the storage domain of the logical volume is reduced or expanded according to an instruction of logical volume capacity reduction or expansion from a host commander part to a volume server.

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: A storage subsystem that has detected the necessity of the data relocation determines whether the data relocation is possible or not from one storage unit to another within the particular storage subsystem. A virtualization device is notified in the case where the data relocation in the particular subsystem is impossible. The manager of the virtualization device gives an inquiry to the storage subsystems as to whether any one of them can become a relocation destination or not. A storage subsystem determines, based on the related information, whether the data relocation requested is possible or not within the particular storage subsystem. In the case where such a relocation is possible, the copying process is carried out for data relocation from one storage subsystem to another in compliance with an instruction from the virtualization device.

Abstract: In a cluster-structured disk subsystem, when creating a volume for an online backup separately from a volume for a normal I/O, it is desirable to be able to achieve such a creation for any volume under subsystem. Further, with an increase in the capacity of the subsystem, it becomes more difficult for a user to determine where to place a volume to which data is to be copied. Thus, a cluster-structured storage system is provided in which it is possible to reference/renew snapshot control information in shared memory of other clusters and achieve a snapshot between clusters via an inter-cluster connecting mechanism. In this system, control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a control is performed inside/outside the cluster, and a volume to which data is to be copied is suggested to the user.

Abstract: When receiving a write request from a processor, a control unit checks the condition of existence (or the presence/absence) in a cache for information necessary for generation of an updated value of a parity record, receives write data and reports the completion of the write request to the processor. In asynchronism with the write request from the processor, the control unit performs a load process for that information among the information necessary for generation of the updated value of the parity record which may be prepared in asynchronism with the write request from the processor and a write after process for the updated value of the parity record.

Abstract: When a logical volume in a first storage box is transferred to a second storage box, information of an access object such as a network communication protocol possessed by a host which communicates with the first storage box is changed to change a network route for accessing the transferred logical volume. Logical volume transfer is notified from the first storage box to the host by using an ICMP Redirection Error message or the ARP protocol.

Abstract: A host and a storage system each keep a shared identifier indicating a state of a system. The storage system acquires, at update of data, a data pair including data for a change through processing of the host and data before the update. The storage system relates the data pair to a shared identifier. When the host indicates an identifier, the storage system restores data using the data pair.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques, including a method and system, for relocating data between storage systems. In one embodiment of the present invention a host collects usage information from a plurality of storage systems, and determines the relocation destination LU for data stored in the LU to be relocated. The host alters an LU logical position name table that determines matching between the logical position names of data and LUs. It also carries out data relocation between storage subsystems by shifting data stored in an origin LU to be relocated to a destination LU. In another embodiment relocation of files is provided.

Abstract: A data copy method for a disk sub system that is equipped with a first storage apparatus including a first logic storage apparatus divided into a first region and a second region and a second storage apparatus including a second logic storage apparatus divided into a first region and a second region, the first logic storage apparatus and the second logic storage apparatus connecting to a host apparatus, wherein data on the first logic storage apparatus is copied to the second logic storage apparatus by an instruction from the host apparatus.