Virtualization controller and data transfer control method

• US 7,366,853 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Honda, Kiyoshi, Serizawa, Kazuyoshi, Iwami, Naoko
• Primary Examiner(s): BRAGDON, REGINALD GLENWOOD
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flournoy; Horace L.
• Application Number:
  US10/882,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20040250021A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 711/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0605 by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/061 Improving I/O performance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0613 in relation to throughput
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0617 in relation to availability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0647 Migration mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0649 Lifecycle management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0665 at area level, e.g. provisioning of virtual or logical volumes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/067 Distributed or networked storage systems, e.g. storage area networks [SAN], network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0689 Disk arrays, e.g. RAID, JBOD

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods of controlling data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices. One embodiment is directed to a virtualization controller for controlling data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices. The virtualization controller comprises a plurality of first ports for connection with the plurality of storage devices each having a storage area to store data; a second port for connection with the host system; a processor; and a memory configured to store volume mapping information which correlates first identification information used by the host system to access a first storage area in one of the storage devices, with second identification information for identifying the first storage area, the correlation being used by the processor to access the first storage area. When data stored in the first storage area is transferred to a second storage area in one of the storage devices, the processor correlates the first identification information with a third identification information for identifying the second storage area and registers the first identification information and the third identification information in the volume mapping information.

Claims

1. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer, said virtualization system being coupled to a host system and a plurality of storage systems, the host system sending an input request including volume identification information for writing data to a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems comprising a plurality of disk drives and a plurality of logical volumes related to the disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the host system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage systems; and

at least one processing circuit;

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform first processes of;

receiving a first input request, the first input request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information, and

transferring data of the first input request to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume having a status, in which data of an input request including the volume identification information is written to the first virtual volume, so that the first storage system can write the data of the first input request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform second processes of;

copying data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume in the virtualization system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems,

receiving a second input request during the copying process, the second input request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information, and

changing a status of the second virtual volume to a status, in which data of an input request including the volume identification information is written to the second virtual volume, on a virtual volume basis; and

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform third processes of;

receiving a third input request, the third input request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information, and

transferring data of the third input request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can write the data of the third input request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume,

wherein data of the second input request is written to the second virtual volume.

2. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

3. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input request includes the volume identification information and port identification information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request includes the volume identification information and the port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume for which the status thereof was changed so that the data of the input request including the volume identification information and the port identification information is written to the second virtual volume, if copying of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is completed, and

wherein the third input request includes the volume identification information and the port identification information.

4. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 3, wherein the port identification information corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

5. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input request includes the volume identification information and virtual port identification information of the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume, for which the status thereof was changed, assumes the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information, if the copying process is completed, and

wherein the third input request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information.

6. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input request includes the volume identification information and a port name information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request includes the volume identification information and the port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume, which is assigned the volume identification information and the port name information, becomes a target of an input request sent from the host system, if copying of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is completed, and

wherein the third input request includes the volume identification information and the port name information.

7. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 6, wherein the port name information corresponds to a virtual port name of the virtualization system.

8. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input request includes the volume identification information and a virtual port name information of the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume, for which the status thereof was changed, assumes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information, if the copying process is completed, and

wherein the third input request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information.

9. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the data of the second input request is further written to the first virtual volume.

10. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system processes all input requests including the volume identification information to the second virtual volume after copying of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is completed.

11. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system is able to receive a fourth input request when the status of the second virtual volume is changed, the fourth input request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information.

12. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system hides the second virtual volume in the virtualization system from the host system before the status of the second virtual volume is changed.

13. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system is able to receive a fourth input request, if copying of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is completed, and

wherein the fourth input request is sent from the host system and including the volume identification information.

14. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between an identification of the first virtual volume and capacity information of the first virtual volume.

15. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 4, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between an identification of the second virtual volume and capacity information of the second virtual volume.

16. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between information of the first virtual volume and information of the second virtual volume.

17. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the first virtual volume.

18. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 17, wherein the relationship information includes relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and information of the first logical volume, and

wherein the transferring data process for transferring the data of the first input request to the first logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the first logical volume.

19. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 18, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between information of the second virtual volume and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the second virtual volume and the information of the second logical volume.

20. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 19, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the second virtual volume, and

wherein the copying process is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the second virtual volume.

21. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring data process for transferring the data of the third input request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the volume identification information and the information of the second logical volume.

22. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the control part controls at least the copying process, and

wherein the data switching part conducts at least the transferring data process for transferring the data of the first input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request.

23. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system further controls to perform the processes of

converting the volume identification information included in the first input request into second volume identification information of the first logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the first input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the first input request;

converting the volume identification information included in the second input request into third volume identification information of the second logical volume after the receiving process for receiving the second input request; and

converting the volume identification information included in the third input request into the third volume identification information of the second logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the third input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request.

24. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the first processes further comprises;

receiving a first output request, the first output request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information, and

transferring an output request corresponding to the first output request to the first logical volume of the first storage system so that the first storage system can read data of the first output request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

wherein the second processes further comprises;

receiving a second output request during the copying process, the second output request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information; and

wherein the third processes further comprises;

receiving a third output request, the third output request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information, and

transferring an output request corresponding to the third output request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can read data of the third output request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

157. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the data of the second input request is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second input request from the first logical volume.

158. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system controls to write the data of the second input request to the first virtual volume and controls to write the data of second input request to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second input request from the first logical volume.

25. A computer program for controlling data transfer, stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, which is coupled to an information processing system and a plurality of storage systems, the information processing system sending a write request including volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identify a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems having a plurality of disk drives and a plurality of logical volumes related to the disk drives, the computer program comprising:

code controlling to relate the first virtual volume to a first write request, the first write request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information;

code controlling transferring data of the first write request to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems;

code controlling to relate a second virtual volume in the virtualization system to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

code controlling to transfer data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume; and

code controlling to cause the second virtual volume, which is assigned the volume identification information, to be written into with data of a write request including the volume identification information,

wherein, before the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first write request, the first write request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information and transferring data of the first write request to the first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume, the data of the first write request being written to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume; and

transferring data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume in the virtualization system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a second write request during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, the second write request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information, data of the second write request being written to the second virtual volume; and

causing the second virtual volume, which is assigned the volume identification information, to be written in with data of a write request including the volume identification information;

wherein, after the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a third write request, the third write request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information; and

transferring data of the third write request to the second logical volume of the second storage system, the data of the third write request being written to a storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

26. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

27. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the first write request includes the volume identification information and a port identification information of the first virtual volume,

wherein the second write request includes the volume identification information and the port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume assumes the volume identification information and the port identification information and functions as a virtual volume for executing the write request sent from the information processing system, if transferring of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is complete, and

wherein the third write request includes the volume identification information and the port identification information.

28. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 27, wherein the port identification Information corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

29. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the first write request includes the volume identification information and a virtual port identification information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second write request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume assigned the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information functions as a virtual volume for executing the write request sent from the information processing system, if the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is complete, and

wherein the third write request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information.

30. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the first write request includes the volume identification information and port name information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second write request includes the volume identification information and the port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume, assigned the volume identification information and the port name information is caused to be written in with data of the write request including the volume identification information and the port name information, if the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is complete, and

wherein the third write request includes the volume identification information and the port name information.

31. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 30, wherein the port name information corresponds to a virtual port name of the virtualization system.

32. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the first write request includes the volume identification information and virtual port name information of the first virtual volume,

wherein the second write request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume, assumes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information and is caused to be written in with data of the write request including the volume identification information and the virtual port name information, if transferring of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is complete, and

wherein the third write request includes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information.

33. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the data of the second write request is further written to the first virtual volume.

34. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein all write requests including the volume identification information are handled by the second virtual volume after transferring of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is complete.

35. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein a fourth write request can be received during the causing process, and

wherein the fourth write request is sent from the information processing system and includes the volume identification information.

36. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

code controlling to hide the second virtual volume in virtualization system from the information processing system before the causing process.

37. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system is able to receive a fourth write request, if transferring of all data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is complete, and

wherein the fourth write request is sent from the information processing system and includes the volume identification information.

38. The computer program of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to store relationship information between an identification of the first virtual volume and capacity information of the first virtual volume.

39. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 38, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to record relationship information between an identification of the second virtual volume and capacity information of the second virtual volume.

40. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to record relationship information between information of the first virtual volume and information of the second virtual volume.

41. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to store relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the first virtual volume.

42. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to record relationship information between the volume identification volume and information of the first logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request to the first logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the volume identification information and the information of the first logical volume.

43. The computer program of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 42, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to record relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the volume identification information and the information of the second logical volume.

44. The computer program of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 43, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to record a relationship information between information of the first virtual volume and information of the second virtual volume, and

wherein the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the second virtual volume.

45. The computer program of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system further comprising:

code controlling to record relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the volume identification information and the information of the second logical volume.

46. The computer program of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the code, controlling to transfer data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, is implemented in the control part which controls the transferring process for transferring data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, and

wherein the data switching part conducts the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

47. The computer program of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

changing the volume identification information included in the first write request into second volume identification information of the first logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request;

changing the volume identification information included in the second write request into third volume identification information of the second logical volume after the receiving process for receiving the second write request; and

changing the volume identification information included in the third write request into the third volume identification information of the second logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the third write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

48. The computer program of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first read request, the first read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification Information;

transferring a read request corresponding to the first read request to the first logical volume of the first storage system so that the first storage system can read data of the first read request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

receiving a second read request during the copying process, the second read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information;

receiving a third read request, the third read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information; and

transferring a read request corresponding to the third read request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can read data of the third read request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

159. The computer program as recited in claim 25, wherein the data of the second write request is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second write request from the first logical volume.

160. The computer program as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

code controlling to write the data of the second write request to the first virtual volume and controlling to write the data of the second write request to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second write request from the first logical volume.

49. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer, said virtualization system being coupled to an information processing system and a plurality of storage systems, the information processing system sending an input request related to volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identify a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems having a plurality of disk drives forming a plurality of logical volumes each related to at least a portion of the disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the information processing system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage systems; and

at least one processing circuit,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first input request, the first input request being sent from the information processing system and being related to the volume identification information;

transferring data of the first input request to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume, so that the first storage system can write the data of the first input request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

maintaining a second virtual volume in said virtualization system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

transferring data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume;

receiving a second input request during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, the second input request being sent from the information processing system and being related to the volume identification information, data of the second input request being written to the second virtual volume;

causing the second virtual volume, which assumes the volume identification information of the first virtual volume, to be recognized as a volume to the information processing system;

receiving a third input request, the third input request being sent from the information processing system and being related to the volume identification information; and

transferring data of the third input request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can write the data of the third input request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

50. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

51. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the first input request relates to the volume identification information and port identification information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request relates to the volume identification information and the port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume assumes the volume identification information and the port identification information and is caused to be recognized as the volume to the information processing system, if all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request relates to the volume identification information and the port identification information.

52. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 51, wherein the port identification information corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

53. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the first input request relates to the volume identification information and a virtual port identification information of the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request relates to the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume functions as a virtual volume for executing an input request sent from the information processing system, if data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request relates the volume identification information and the virtual port Identification information.

54. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the first input request relates the volume identification information and a port name information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request relates to the volume identification information and the port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume functions as a virtual volume for executing an input request sent from the information processing system, if all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request relates to the volume identification information and the port name information.

55. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 54, wherein the port name information corresponds to a virtual port name of the virtualization system.

56. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the first input request relates to the volume identification information and virtual port name information of the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request relates to the volume identification information and the virtual port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume assumes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information and is caused to be recognized as the volume to the information processing system, if data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request relates to the volume identification information and the virtual port name information.

57. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the data of the second input request is further written to the first virtual volume.

58. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein all input requests related to the volume identification information are handled by the second virtual volume after data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

59. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein a fourth input request can be received during the causing process, and

wherein the fourth input request is sent from the information processing system and is related to the volume identification information.

60. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the process of hiding the second virtual volume in virtualization system from the information processing system before all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

61. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system is able to receive a fourth input request, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized,

wherein the fourth input request being sent from the information processing system and being related to the volume identification information.

62. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between an identification of the first virtual volume and capacity information of the first virtual volume.

63. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 62, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between an identification of the second virtual volume and capacity information of the second virtual volume.

64. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between information of the first virtual volume and information of the second virtual volume.

65. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the first virtual volume.

66. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 65, wherein the relationship information includes relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and information of the first logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the first input request to the first logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the first logical volume.

67. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 66, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between information of the second virtual volume and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the second virtual volume and the Information of the second logical volume.

68. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 67, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the second virtual volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the second virtual volume.

69. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the volume identification information and the information of the second logical volume.

70. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the control part controls the maintaining process and the transferring process for transferring data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, and

wherein the data switching part conducts the transferring process for transferring the data of the first input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request.

71. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

converting the volume identification information related to the first input request into second volume identification information of the first logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the first input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the first input request;

converting the volume identification information related to the second input request into third volume identification information of the second logical volume after the receiving process for receiving the second input request;

converting the volume identification information related to the third input request into the third volume identification information of the second logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the third input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request.

72. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

receiving a first output request, the first output request being sent from the information processing system and being related to the volume identification information;

transferring an output request corresponding to the first output request to the first logical volume of the first storage system so that the first storage system can read data of the first output request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

receiving a second output request during the copying process, the second output request being sent from the information processing system and being related to the volume identification information;

receiving a third output request, the third output request being sent from the information processing system and being related to the volume identification information; and

transferring an output request corresponding to the third output request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can read data of the third output request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

161. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the data of the second input request is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second input request from the first logical volume.

162. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 49, wherein the virtualization system controls to write the data of the second input request to the first virtual volume and controls to write the data of second input request to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second input request from the first logical volume.

73. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer, said virtualization system being coupled to a host system and a plurality of storage systems, the host system sending an input request targeted to volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identify a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems comprising a plurality of disk drives and a plurality of logical volumes related to the disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the host system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage systems; and

at least one processing circuit,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first input request, the first input request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification information;

transferring data of the first input request to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume, the data of the first input request being written to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

hiding a second virtual volume in the virtualization system from the host system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

copying data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume;

receiving a second input request during the copying process, the second input request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification information, data of the second input request being written to the second virtual volume;

causing the second virtual volume to become visible to the host system, the second virtual volume assuming the volume identification information of the first virtual volume, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized;

receiving a third input request, the third input request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification information; and

transferring data of the third input request to the second logical volume of the second storage system, the data of the third input request being written to a storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

74. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

75. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the first input request is targeted to the volume identification information and a port identification information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume assumes the volume identification information and the port identification information of the first virtual volume and becomes visible to the host system, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the port identification information.

76. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 75, wherein the port identification information corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

77. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the first input request is targeted to the volume identification information and a virtual port identification information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information,

wherein the second virtual volume assumes the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information from the first virtual volume and becomes visible to the host system, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the virtual port identification information.

78. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the first input request is targeted to the volume identification information and a port name information related to the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume assumes the volume identification information and the port name information from the first virtual volume and becomes visible to the host system, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the port name information.

79. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 78, wherein the port name information corresponds to a virtual port name of the virtualization system.

80. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the first input request is targeted to the volume identification information and a virtual port name information of the first virtual volume,

wherein the second input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the virtual port name information,

wherein the second virtual volume assumes the volume identification information and the virtual port name information from the first virtual volume and becomes visible to the host system, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the third input request is targeted to the volume identification information and the virtual port name information.

81. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the data of the second input request is further written to the first virtual volume.

82. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system controls to handle, by using the second virtual volume, all input requests targeted to the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

83. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system controls being able to receive a fourth input request during that the second virtual volume assumed the volume identification information of the first virtual volume becomes visible to the host system, the fourth input request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification information.

84. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the process of holding the second virtual volume in virtualization system during the second virtual volume is hidden from the host system.

85. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform of being able to receive a fourth input request, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized, and

wherein the fourth input request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification information.

86. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between an identification of the first virtual volume and capacity information of the first virtual volume.

87. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 86, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between an identification of the second virtual volume and capacity information of the second virtual volume.

88. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between information of the first virtual volume and information of the second virtual volume.

89. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system has relationship Information between the volume identification information and information of the first virtual volume.

90. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 89, wherein the relationship information includes a relationship between the information of the first virtual volume and information of the first logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the first input request to the first logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the first logical volume.

91. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 90, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between information of the second virtual volume and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the second virtual volume and the information of the second logical volume.

92. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 91, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the second virtual volume, and

wherein the copying process is conducted based on the relationship information between the information of the first virtual volume and the information of the second virtual volume.

93. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system has relationship information between the volume identification information and information of the second logical volume, and

wherein the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request to the second logical volume is conducted based on the relationship information between the volume identification information and the information of the second logical volume.

94. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 93, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

95. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the control part controls the hiding process and the copying process, and

wherein the data switching part conducts the transferring process for transferring the data of the first input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request.

96. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

changing the volume identification information related to the first input request into second volume identification information of the first logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the first input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the first input request;

changing the volume identification information related to the second input request into third volume identification information of the second logical volume after the receiving process for receiving the second input request; and

changing the volume identification information related to the third input request into the third volume identification information of the second logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the third input request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third input request.

97. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

receiving a first output request, the first output request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification Information;

transferring an output request corresponding to the first output request to the first logical volume of the first storage system so that the first storage system can read data of the first output request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

receiving a second output request during the copying process, the second output request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification information;

receiving a third output request, the third output request being sent from the host system and being targeted to the volume identification information; and

transferring an output request corresponding to the third output request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can read data of the third output request from the storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

163. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the data of the second input request is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second input request from the first logical volume.

164. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 73, wherein the virtualization system controls to write the data of the second input request to the first virtual volume and controls to write the data of second input request to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second input request from the first logical volume.

98. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer, said virtualization system being coupled to an information processing system and a plurality of storage systems, the information processing system sending a read request including volume identification information related to a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems having a plurality of disk drives and a plurality of logical volumes related to at least a portion of the disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the information processing system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage systems; and

at least one processing circuit,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first read request, the first read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information;

transferring a read request related to the first read request to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume having a status, in which data requested by a read request including the volume identification information is read from the first virtual volume, so that the virtualization system can read data requested by the first read request from the first logical volume;

copying data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

receiving a second read request during the copying process, the second read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information, a read request related to the second read request being transferred to the first logical volume;

changing a status of the second virtual volume to a status, in which data requested by a read request including the volume identification information is read from the second virtual volume, on a virtual volume basis;

receiving a third read request, the third read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information; and

transferring a read request related to the third read request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the virtualization system can read data requested by the third read request from the second logical volume.

99. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 98, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

100. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 98, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

converting the first read request related to the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the first read request and relates to second volume identification information of the first logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the first read request;

converting the second read request related to the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the second read request and relates to the second volume identification information of the first logical volume, after the receiving process for receiving the second read request; and

converting the third read request related to the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the third read request and relates to third volume identification information of the second logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the third read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the third read request.

101. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 98, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the control part controls the copying process;

and

wherein the data switching part conducts the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the third read request.

102. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 98, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the process of handling, by using the second virtual volume, all read requests related to the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

103. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 98, wherein the virtualization system controls to hide the second virtual volume in virtualization system from the information processing system before the changing process.

165. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 98, wherein data of a write request received during the copying process is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the write request from the first logical volume.

166. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 98, wherein the virtualization system controls to write data of a write request, received during the copying process, to the first virtual volume and controls to write the data of the write request, received during the copying process, to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the write request from the first logical volume.

104. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer, said virtualization system is coupled to a host system and a plurality of storage systems, the host system sending a write request related to volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identify a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems having a plurality of disk drives and forming a plurality of logical volumes each related to at least a portion of the a plurality of disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the host system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage systems; and

at least one processing circuit,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first write request, the first write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information;

transferring data of the first write request to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume, so that the first storage system can write the data of the first write request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

copying data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume in the virtualization system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

receiving a second write request during the copying process, the second write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information, data of the second write request is written to both the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume;

causing the second virtual volume to function as a virtual volume to be written in with data of a write request sent from the host system while the first virtual volume is not to be written in with data of a write request sent from the host system, if all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized;

receiving a third write request, the third write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information; and

transferring data of the third write request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can write the data of the third write request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

105. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 104, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

106. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 104, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

converting the volume identification information related to the first write request into second volume identification information of the first logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request;

converting the volume identification information related to the second write request into third volume identification information of the second logical volume after the receiving process for receiving the second write request; and

converting the volume identification information related to the third write request into the third volume identification information of the second logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the third write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

107. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 104, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the control part controls at least the copying process;

and

wherein the data switching part conducts at least the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

108. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 104, wherein the virtualization system controls to handle, by using the second virtual volume, all write requests related to the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

109. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 104, wherein the virtualization system controls to hide the second virtual volume in virtualization system from the host system before the all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

110. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer, said virtualization system being coupled to a host system and a plurality of storage systems, the host system sending a read request including volume identification information identifying a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems having a plurality of disk drives forming a plurality of logical volumes related to the plurality of disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the host system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage systems; and

at least one processing circuit,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first read request, the first read request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information;

transferring a read request corresponding to the first read request to a first storage system of the storage systems for reading data requested by the first read request from a first logical volume of the first storage system, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume;

transferring data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems,

receiving a second read request during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, the second read request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information, data requested by the second read request being read from the first logical volume of the first storage system;

causing the second virtual volume, which is assigned the volume identification information, to be read out data requested by a read request including the volume identification information;

receiving a third read request, the third read request being sent from the host system and including the volume identification information; and

transferring a read request corresponding to the third read request to the second storage system for reading data requested by the third read request from the second logical volume of the second storage system.

111. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 110, wherein the volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

112. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 110, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

changing the first read request including the volume identification information into the read request, which corresponds to the first read request and includes second volume identification information of the first logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request corresponding to the first read request;

changing the second read request including the volume identification information into the read request, which corresponds to the second read request and includes the second volume identification information of the first logical volume, after the receiving process for receiving the second read request; and

changing the third read request including the volume identification information into the read request, which corresponds to the third read request and includes third volume identification information of the second logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the third read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the third read request.

113. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 110, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the control part controls at least the transferring process for transferring data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume;

and

wherein the data switching part conducts at least the transferring process for transferring the read request corresponding to the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request corresponding to the third read request.

114. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 110, wherein the virtualization system controls to handle, by using the second virtual volume, all read requests including the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

115. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 110, wherein the virtualization system controls to hide the second virtual volume in virtualization system from the host system before the causing process.

167. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 110, wherein data of a write request, received during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the write request from the first logical volume.

168. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 110, wherein the virtualization system controls to write data of a write request, received during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the first virtual volume and controls to write the data of the write request, received during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the write request from the first logical volume.

116. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium for controlling data transfer in a virtualization system, the virtualization system being coupled to a host system and at least one storage system, the host system sending a read request related to volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identify a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, the storage system having a plurality of disk drives forming a plurality of logical volumes related to the plurality of disk drives, the computer program comprising:

code controlling to map the first virtual volume to a first logical volume of the logical volumes;

code controlling to map a second virtual volume in said virtualization system to a second logical volume of the logical volumes;

code controlling to transfer data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume; and

code controlling to causing the second virtual volume, which assumes the volume identification information of the first virtual volume, to be recognized as a volume to the host system,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

before causing the second virtual volume to be recognized as the volume to the host system, receiving a first read request, the first read request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information;

transferring a read request related to the first read request to the storage system for reading data requested by the first read request from the first logical volume of the logical volumes, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume;

maintaining a second virtual volume in said virtualization system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of the logical volumes;

controlling to transfer data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume;

receiving a second read request during the controlling transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, the second read request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information, data requested by the second read request being read from the first virtual volume;

causing the second virtual volume, which assumes the volume identification information of the first virtual volume, to be recognized as a volume to the host system;

after the causing the second virtual volume to be recognized as the volume to the host system, receiving a third read request, the third read request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information; and

transferring a read request related to the third read request to the storage system for reading data requested by the third read request from the second logical volume.

117. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 116, wherein the volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

118. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 116, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of

changing the first read request related to the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the first read request and relates to second volume identification information of the first logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the first read request;

changing the second read request related to the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the second read request and relates to the second volume identification information of the first logical volume, after the receiving process for receiving the second read request; and

changing the third read request related to the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the third read request and relates to third identification information of the second logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the third read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the third read request.

119. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 116, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the computer program is implemented in control part and controls at least the controlling process for controlling to transfer data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume;

and

wherein the data switching part conducts at least the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the third read request.

120. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 116, wherein the virtualization system controls to be handled, by the second virtual volume, all read requests including the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

121. The computer program for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 116, further comprising:

code controlling to hide the second virtual volume in virtualization system from the host system before the causing process.

122. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer in a virtualization system, which is coupled to an information processing system and a plurality of storage systems, the information processing system sending a read request including volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identity a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems comprising a plurality of disk drives and a plurality of logical volumes related to the disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the information processing system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage systems; and

at least one processing circuit,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first read request, the first read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information;

transferring a read request related to the first read request to a first storage system of the storage systems for reading data requested by the first read request from the first virtual volume, the first virtual volume being related to a first logical volume of the first storage system;

hiding a second virtual volume in the virtualization system from the information processing system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

controlling to copy data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume;

receiving a second read request during the controlling process for controlling to copy data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, the second read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information, data requested by the second read request being read from the first virtual volume;

causing the second virtual volume to become visible to the information processing system, the second virtual volume assuming the volume identification information of the first virtual volume, when all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized;

receiving a third read request, the third read request being sent from the information processing system and including the volume identification information; and

transferring a read request related to the third read request to the second storage system for reading data requested by the third read request from the second virtual volume.

123. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 122, wherein the volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

124. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 122, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

converting the first read request including the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the first read request and includes second volume identification information of the first logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the first read request;

converting the second read request including the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the second read request and includes the second volume identification information of the first logical volume, after the receiving process for receiving the second read request; and

converting the third read request including the volume identification information into the read request, which relates to the third read request and includes third identification information of the second logical volume, between the receiving process for receiving the third read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the third read request.

125. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 122, further comprising:

a data switching portion and a control portion,

wherein the control portion controls at least the controlling process for controlling to copy data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume; and

wherein the data switching portion conducts at least the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the first read request and the transferring process for transferring the read request related to the third read request.

126. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 122, wherein the virtualization system controls to handle, by the second virtual volume, all read requests including the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

127. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 122, wherein:

the virtualization system controls to handle, by using the second virtual volume, all read requests including the volume identification information after the causing process.

128. A virtualization system for controlling data transfer, said virtualization system being coupled to a host system and at least one storage system, the host system sending a write request related to volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identify a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, the storage system having a plurality of disk drives and a plurality of logical volumes related to the disk drives, the virtualization system comprising:

at least one first port coupled to the host system;

at least one second port coupled to the storage system; and

at least one processing circuit,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

receiving a first write request, the first write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information;

transferring data of the first write request to a first logical volume of the storage system, the first logical volume being related to the first virtual volume;

hiding a second virtual volume in the virtualization system from the host system, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of the storage system;

copying data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume;

receiving a second write request during the copying process, the second write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information, data of the second write request is written to the second virtual volume;

causing the second virtual volume to become visible to the host system, the second virtual volume assuming the volume identification information of the first virtual volume, if all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized;

receiving a third write request, the third write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information; and

transferring data of the third write request to the second logical volume of the storage system.

129. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 128, wherein the volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

130. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 128, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

changing the volume identification information related to the first write request into second volume identification information of the first logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request;

changing the volume identification information related to the second write request into third volume identification information of the second logical volume after the receiving process for receiving the second write request; and

changing the volume identification information related to the third write request into the third volume identification information of the second logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the third write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

131. The virtualization system method of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 128, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching portion and a control portion;

wherein the control portion controls at least the copying process; and

wherein the data switching portion conducts at least the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

132. The virtualization system of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 128, wherein the virtualization system controls to handle, by the second virtual volume, all write requests related to the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

133. The virtualization system of controlling data transfer as recited in claim 128, wherein the virtualization system controls to handle, by using the second virtual volume, all write requests related to the volume identification information after the causing process.

134. The virtualization system for controlling data transfer as recited in claim 128, wherein the data of the second write request is further written to the first virtual volume.

169. The computer program as recited in claim 128, wherein the data of the second write request is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second write request from the first logical volume.

170. The computer program as recited in claim 128, wherein the virtualization system controls to write the data of the second write request to the first virtual volume and controls to write the data of the second write request to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second write request from the first logical volume.

135. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system coupled to an information processing system and a plurality of storage systems, each of the storage systems having a plurality of disk drives and a plurality of logical volumes related to the disk drives, the computer program comprising:

code controlling to relate a first virtual volume to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the first virtual volume being identified by volume identification information for accessing from the information processing system;

code controlling to relate a second virtual volume in the virtualization system to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems;

code controlling to transfer data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume in a status in which the volume identification information is used for accessing from the information processing system; and

code controlling to cause the second virtual volume, which is assigned the volume identification information, to be written in with data of a write request including the volume identification information, instead of the first virtual volume, based on the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume.

136. The computer program as recited in claim 135, further comprising:

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, a relationship between the volume identification information and the first virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume, to the first logical volume, before the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume; and

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, a relationship between the volume identification information and the second virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system, to the second logical volume, after the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume.

137. The computer program as recited in claim 135, further comprising:

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, a relationship between the volume identification information and the second virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the second logical volume.

138. The computer program as recited in claim 135, further comprising:

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, a relationship between the volume identification information, the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to both the first logical volume and the second logical volume.

139. The computer program as recited in claim 135, further comprising

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, a relationship between the volume identification information and the first virtual volume for transferring of a read request corresponding a read request, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the first logical volume.

140. The computer program as recited in claim 135, wherein the volume identification information includes Logical Unit Number (LUN).

171. The computer program as recited in claim 135, wherein data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, from the first logical volume.

172. The computer program as recited in claim 135, further comprising:

code controlling to write data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume, to the first virtual volume and controlling to write the data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the second virtual volume without reading the data, received from the information processing system for accessing the first virtual volume during the transferring of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, from the first logical volume.

141. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system being coupled to a information processing system and a plurality of storage systems, the information processing system sending a write request including volume identification information, each of the storage systems forming a plurality of logical volumes each related to at least a portion of a plurality of disk drives, the computer program comprising:

code controlling to copy data from a first virtual volume to a second virtual volume in the virtualization system, the first virtual volume being mapped to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the second virtual volume being mapped to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems; and

code controlling to change a status, of the first virtual volume, in which data of a plurality of write requests including the volume identification information is written to the first virtual volume, to a status, in which data of a plurality of write requests including the volume identification information is not written to the first virtual volume, and controlling to change a status of the second virtual volume to a status, in which data of a plurality of write requests including the volume identification information is written to the second virtual volume, on a virtual volume basis.

142. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to map the first virtual volume to the first logical volume.

143. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to map the second virtual volume to the second logical volume.

144. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to create the first virtual volume.

145. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to create the second virtual volume.

146. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, mapping information mapping between the volume identification information and the first virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume, to the first logical volume, before the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume; and

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, mapping information mapping between the volume identification information and the second virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system, to the second logical volume, after the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume.

147. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, mapping information mapping between the volume identification information and the second virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the second logical volume.

148. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, a relationship between the volume identification information, the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume for transferring of data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to both the first logical volume and the second logical volume.

149. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to refer to, in the virtualization system, mapping information mapping between the volume identification information and the first virtual volume for transferring of a read request corresponding a read request, received from the information processing system during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume and including the volume identification information, to the first logical volume.

173. The computer program as recited in claim 141, wherein data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, from the first logical volume.

174. The computer program as recited in claim 141, further comprising:

code controlling to write data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the first virtual volume and controlling to write the data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, to the second virtual volume without reading the data, received from the information processing system for writing to the first virtual volume during the copying of data from the first virtual volume to the second virtual volume, from the first logical volume.

150. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system being coupled to a host system and a plurality of storage systems, the host system sending a write request related to volume identification information, the volume identification information being used to identify a first virtual volume in the virtualization system, each of the storage systems forming a plurality of logical volumes each related to at least a portion of a plurality of disk drives, the computer program comprising:

code controlling to copy data from the first virtual volume to a second virtual volume in the virtualization system, the first virtual volume being related to a first logical volume of a first storage system of the storage systems, the second virtual volume being related to a second logical volume of a second storage system of the storage systems; and

code controlling to cause the second virtual volume to function as a virtual volume to be written in data of a write request received from the host system while the first virtual volume is not to be written in with data of a write request received from the host system, if all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized,

wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of;

before the causing process, receiving a first write request, the first write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information and transferring data of the first write request to the first logical volume so that the first storage system can write the data of the first write request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the first logical volume;

receiving a second write request during the copying process, the second write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information, data of the second write request is written to the second virtual volume; and

after the causing process, receiving a third write request, the third write request being sent from the host system and being related to the volume identification information and transferring data of the third write request to the second logical volume of the second storage system so that the second storage system can write the data of the third write request to a storage area of the disk drives related to the second logical volume.

151. The computer program as recited in claim 150, wherein the volume identification information corresponds to a Logical Unit Number (LUN).

152. The computer program as recited in claim 150, wherein the virtualization system controls to perform the processes of:

converting the volume identification information related to the first write request into second volume identification information of the first logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request;

converting the volume identification information related to the second write request into third volume identification information of the second logical volume after the receiving process for receiving the second write request; and

converting the volume identification information related to the third write request into the third volume identification information of the second logical volume between the receiving process for receiving the third write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

153. The computer program as recited in claim 150, wherein the virtualization system includes a data switching part and a control part,

wherein the computer program is implemented in the control part and controls at least the copying process, and

wherein the data switching part conducts at least the transferring process for transferring the data of the first write request and the transferring process for transferring the data of the third write request.

154. The computer program as recited in claim 150, wherein the virtualization system controls to handle, by using the second virtual volume, all write requests related to the volume identification information after all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

155. The computer program as recited in claim 150, further comprising:

code controlling to hide the second virtual volume in virtualization system from the host system before the all data between the first virtual volume and the second virtual volume is synchronized.

156. The computer program as recited in claim 150, wherein the data of the second write request is written to the first virtual volume, too.

175. The computer program as recited in claim 150, wherein the data of the second write request is written to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second write request from the first logical volume.

176. The computer program as recited in claim 150, further comprising:

code controlling to write the data of the second write request to the first virtual volume and controlling to write the data of the second write request to the second virtual volume without reading the data of the second write request from the first logical volume.