Virtualization controller and data transfer control method

• US 7,877,568 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2006
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Serizawa, Kazuyoshi, Honda, Kiyoshi, Iwami, Naoko
• Primary Examiner(s): Bragdon; Reginald G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruiz; Aracelis
• Application Number:
  US11/404,621
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,748 Days
• Field of Search: 711/114
• US Class Current: 711/202
• 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 computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system is used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, each of the storage devices comprising a disk controller and a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the computer program comprising:

code controlling storing of mapping information to be stored, the mapping information indicating a relationship between first volume identification information, which is used by the host system to access a virtual volume, and second volume identification information for identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices, the mapping information being used for transferring data, which is received from the host system and is related to the first volume identification information, to the first logical volume after converting the first volume identification to the second volume identification information;

code controlling to transfer data, which are received from the host system during a data copy phase in which data stored in the first logical volume are copied to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices and is related to the first volume identification information, to the second logical volume; and

code controlling a changed mapping information, instead of the mapping information, to be used, if the data copy phase is completed, for transferring data, which is received from the host system and is related to the first volume identification information, to the second logical volume after converting the first volume identification information to third volume identification information for identifying the second logical volume, the changed mapping information indicating a relationship between the first volume identification information and the third volume identification information.

2. The computer program as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

code controlling the changed mapping information to be stored.

3. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

4. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

5. The computer program as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

code controlling to start the data copy phase based on a request received from a management unit.

6. The computer program as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

code controlling the mapping information to be used, for transfer data, before the changed mapping information is used for transfer data.

7. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein code controlling the changed mapping information, to be used, for transfer data, after all data stored in the first logical volume are copied to the second logical volume.

8. The computer program as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

code controlling to transfer the data received during the data copy phase to the first logical volume.

9. The computer program as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

10. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

11. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein the mapping information indicates a relationship between first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the changed mapping information indicates a relationship between the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

12. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

13. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein the virtualization system includes a switch system.

14. The computer program as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

code controlling another mapping information to be used for transfer data, the another mapping information indicating a relationship between fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

15. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein code controlling transfer of a read request corresponding to a read request, received during the data copy phase, to the first logical volume.

16. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein the mapping information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the changed mapping information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

17. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system being used in a status in which the virtualization system is coupled to at least one host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the computer program comprising:

code controlling a relationship information to be set, the relationship information being referred to for transferring first data, targeted to a virtual volume, to a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices after changing first volume identification information, which is used to identify the virtual volume, related to the first data to second volume identification information for identifying the first logical volume, the relationship information indicating a relationship between the first volume identification information and the second volume identification information;

code controlling transferring data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, second data, targeted to the virtual volume, and received during a phase, in which data stored in the first logical volume is transferred to the second logical volume, being written to the second logical volume; and

code controlling a new relationship information, instead of the relationship information, to be referred to after the phase is completed, for transferring third data, targeted to the virtual volume, to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information related to the third data to third volume identification information for identifying the second logical volume, the new relationship information indicating a relationship between the first volume identification information and the third volume identification information.

18. The computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

code controlling the new relationship information to be set.

19. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

20. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

21. The computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

code controlling starting transferring the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

22. The computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

code controlling the relationship information to be referred to before the changed mapping information is referred to.

23. The computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

code controlling the new relationship information, instead of the relationship information, to be used after all data stored in the first logical volume is transferred to the second logical volume.

24. The computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

code controlling transferring the second data received during the phase to the second logical volume.

25. The computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

26. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

27. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the relationship information indicates a relationship between first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the new relationship information indicates a relationship between the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

28. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

29. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the virtualization system being a switch system.

30. The computer program as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

code controlling another relationship information to be referred to, the another relationship information indicating a relationship between fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

31. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the data received during the phase is further written to the first logical volume.

32. The computer program as recited in claim 17, wherein the relationship information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the new relationship information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

33. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system is used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, each of the storage devices comprising a disk controller and a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the computer program comprising:

code controlling first information to be used for the data transfer, the first information including first volume identification information identifying a virtual volume and second volume identification information identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices;

code controlling to copy data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, data, related to the first volume identification information and received from the host system during a phase in which the data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume, is written to the second logical volume; and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information, to be used, if the phase is completed, for the data transfer, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information identifying the second logical volume.

34. The computer program as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

code controlling the data, related to the first volume identification information and received from the host system during the phase, to be written to the second logical volume.

35. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the first information is used for transferring data, which is received from the host system and is related to the first volume identification information, to the first logical volume after converting the first volume identification related to the data received from the host system to the second volume identification information.

36. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the second information is used for transferring data, which is received from the host system and is related to the first volume identification information, to the second logical volume after converting the first volume identification related to the data received from the host system to the third volume identification information.

37. The computer program as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

code controlling the first information to be stored; and

code controlling the second information to be stored.

38. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

39. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

40. The computer program as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

code controlling starting the phase based on a request received from a management unit.

41. The computer program as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

code controlling the first information to be used, for the data transfer, before the second information is used for the data transfer.

42. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein code controlling the second information, instead of the first information, to be used, for the data transfer, after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

43. The computer program as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

44. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

45. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

46. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

47. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the virtualization system includes a switch system.

48. The computer program as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

code controlling third information to be used for the data transfer, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

49. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the data received during the phase is further written to the first logical volume.

50. The computer program as recited in claim 33, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

51. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system being used in a status in which the virtualization system is coupled to at least one host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the computer program comprising:

code controlling first information to be referred to for transferring a plurality first read requests each requesting to read data from a virtual volume, the first information including first volume identification information, which is used to identify the virtual volume, and second volume identification information, which is used to identify a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices;

code controlling copying of data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, a second read request corresponding to a third read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received during a phase in which data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume, being transferred to the first logical volume; and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to, if the phase is completed, for transferring a plurality of fourth read requests each requesting to read data from the virtual volume, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information, which is used to identify the second logical volume.

52. The computer program as recited in claim 51, further comprising:

code controlling transferring the second read request to the first logical volume.

53. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the first information being referred to for transferring a fifth read request corresponding to one of the first read requests to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the first read request, to the second volume identification information.

54. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the second information being referred to for transferring a sixth read request corresponding to one of the fourth read requests to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the fourth read request, to the third volume identification information.

55. The computer program as recited in claim 51, further comprising:

code controlling the first information to be stored; and

code controlling the second information to be stored.

56. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

57. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

58. The computer program as recited in claim 51, further comprising:

code controlling starting copying the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

59. The computer program as recited in claim 51, further comprising:

code controlling the first information to be referred to before the second information is referred to.

60. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein code controlling referring to the second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

61. The computer program as recited in claim 51, further comprising:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

62. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

63. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

64. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

65. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the virtualization system includes a switch system.

66. The computer program as recited in claim 51, further comprising:

code controlling third information to be referred to, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

67. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein write data, targeted to the virtual volume and received during the phase, is written to the first logical volume and the second logical volume.

68. The computer program as recited in claim 51, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

69. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system being used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the computer program comprising:

code controlling first information to be set, the first information including first volume identification information identifying the virtual volume, and second volume identification information identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices;

code controlling copying data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received during a phase in which data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume, being transferred to the first logical volume; and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information to be referred to, for transferring a read request, if the phase is completed, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information identifying the second logical volume.

70. The computer program as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

code controlling to transfer the read request received during the phase to the first logical volume, the read request being transferred to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request, to the second volume identification information.

71. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the first information being referred to for transferring a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received before the phase, to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request received before the phase, to the second volume identification information.

72. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the second information being referred to for transferring a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received after the phase, to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request received after the phase, to the third volume identification information.

73. The computer program as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

code controlling the second information to be set.

74. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

75. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

76. The computer program as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

code controlling starting copying the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

77. The computer program as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

code controlling the first information to be referred to before the second information is referred to.

78. The computer program as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

code controlling the second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

79. The computer program as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

80. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

81. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

82. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

83. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the virtualization system being a switch system.

84. The computer program as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

code controlling third information to be referred to, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

85. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein write data, targeted to the virtual volume and received during the phase, is written to the first logical volume and the second logical volume.

86. The computer program as recited in claim 69, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

87. A computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium and implemented in a virtualization system, the virtualization system being used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the computer program comprising:

code controlling first information to be referred to, the first information including first volume identification information identifying the virtual volume, and second volume identification information identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices;

code controlling to transfer data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received during a phase in which data stored in the first logical volume is transferred to the second logical volume, being transferred to the second logical volume; and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to after the phase is completed, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information identifying the second logical volume.

88. The computer program as recited in claim 87, further comprising:

code controlling transferring the write request to the second logical volume, the write request being transferred to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request, to the third volume identification information.

89. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the first information being referred to for transferring a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received before the phase, to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request received before the phase, to the second volume identification information.

90. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the second information being referred to for transferring a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received after the phase, to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request received after the phase, to the third volume identification information.

91. The computer program as recited in claim 87, further comprising:

code controlling the first information to be set; and

code controlling the second information to be set.

92. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

93. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

94. The computer program as recited in claim 87, further comprising:

code controlling starting transferring the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

95. The computer program as recited in claim 87, further comprising:

code controlling the first information to be referred to before the second information is referred to.

96. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein code controlling the second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

97. The computer program as recited in claim 87, further comprising:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

98. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

99. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

100. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

101. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the virtualization system includes a switch system.

102. The computer program as recited in claim 87, further comprising:

code controlling third information to be referred to, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

103. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein write data, targeted to the virtual volume and received during the phase, is further written to the first logical volume.

104. The computer program as recited in claim 87, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

105. A controller of a virtualization system, the virtualization system being used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the controller comprising:

a computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium,

wherein the computer program comprises;

code controlling first information to be set, the first information including first volume identification information identifying the virtual volume, and second volume identification information identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices,

code controlling copying data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received during a phase in which data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume, being transferred to the first logical volume, and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information to be referred to, for the data transfer, if the phase is completed, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information identifying the second logical volume.

106. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling transferring the read request to the first logical volume, the read request being transferred to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request, to the second volume identification information.

107. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the first information being referred to for transferring a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received before the phase, to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request received before the phase, to the second volume identification information.

108. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the second information being referred to for transferring a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received after the phase, to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request received after the phase, to the third volume identification information.

109. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the computer program comprising:

code controlling the second information to be set.

110. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

111. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

112. The controller as recited in claim 105, the computer program further comprises:

code controlling starting copying the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

113. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the first information to be referred to for the data transfer before the second information is referred to.

114. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to for the data transfer after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

115. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

116. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

117. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

118. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

119. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the virtualization system being a switch system.

120. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling third information to be referred to, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

121. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein write data, targeted to the virtual volume and received during the phase, is written to the first logical volume and the second logical volume.

122. The controller as recited in claim 105, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system;

and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

123. A controller of a virtualization system, the virtualization system being used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the controller comprising:

a computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium,

wherein the computer program comprises;

code controlling first information to be referred to for the data transfer, the first information including first volume identification information identifying the virtual volume, and second volume identification information identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices,

code controlling to copy data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received during a phase in which data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume, being transferred to the second logical volume, and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to for the data transfer after the phase is completed, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information identifying the second logical volume.

124. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling transferring the write request to the second logical volume, the write request being transferred to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request, to the third volume identification information.

125. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the first information being referred to for transferring a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received before the phase, to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request received before the phase, to the second volume identification information.

126. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the second information being referred to for transferring a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received after the phase, to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request received after the phase, to the third volume identification information.

127. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the first information to be set; and

code controlling the second information to be set.

128. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

129. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

130. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling to start copying the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

131. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the first information to be referred to before the second information is referred to.

132. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

133. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

134. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

135. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

136. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

137. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the virtualization system includes a switch system.

138. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling third information to be referred to, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

139. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein a write data, targeted to the virtual volume and received during the phase, is further written to the first logical volume.

140. The controller as recited in claim 123, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

141. A virtualization system, the virtualization system being used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the virtualization system comprising:

a computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium,

wherein the computer program comprises;

code controlling first information to be set, the first information including first volume identification information identifying the virtual volume, and second volume identification information identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices,

code controlling copying data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received during a phase in which data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume, being transferred to the first logical volume, and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to, if the phase is completed, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information identifying the second logical volume.

142. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling transferring the read request to the first logical volume, the read request being transferred to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request, to the second volume identification information.

143. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the first information being referred to for transferring a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received before the phase, to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request received before the phase, to the second volume identification information.

144. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the second information being referred to for transferring a read request, requesting to read data from the virtual volume and received after the phase, to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the read request received after the phase, to the third volume identification information.

145. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the second information to be set.

146. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

147. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

148. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, the computer program further comprises:

code controlling starting copying the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

149. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the first information to be referred to before the second information is referred to.

150. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

151. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

152. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

153. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

154. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

155. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the virtualization system includes a switch system.

156. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling third information to be referred to, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

157. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein write data, targeted to the virtual volume and received during the phase, is written to the first logical volume and the second logical volume.

158. The virtualization system as recited in claim 141, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system, and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.

159. A virtualization system, the virtualization system being used to control data transfer between a host system and a plurality of storage devices, said storage devices each comprising a plurality of disk drives related to at least one logical volume, the virtualization system comprising:

a computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium,

wherein the computer program comprises;

code controlling first information to be referred to, the first information including first volume identification information identifying the virtual volume, and second volume identification information identifying a first logical volume of a first storage device of the storage devices,

code controlling transferring data stored in the first logical volume to a second logical volume of a second storage device of the storage devices, a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received during a phase in which data stored in the first logical volume is transferred to the second logical volume, being transferred to the second logical volume, and

code controlling second information, instead of the first information to be referred to after the phase is completed, the second information including the first volume identification information and third volume identification information identifying the second logical volume.

160. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling transferring the write request to the second logical volume, the write request being transferred to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request, to the third volume identification information.

161. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the first information being referred to for transferring a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received before the phase, to the first logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request received before the phase, to the second volume identification information.

162. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the second information being referred to for transferring a write request, requesting to write data to the virtual volume and received after the phase, to the second logical volume after changing the first volume identification information, related to the write request received after the phase, to the third volume identification information.

163. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the first information to be set; and

code controlling the second information to be set.

164. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the second volume identification information includes a port identification of the first storage device related to the first logical volume and a Logical Unit Number (LUN) identifying the first logical volume.

165. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the second volume identification information includes a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the first logical volume.

166. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling starting transferring the data stored in the first logical volume to the second logical volume based on a request received from a management unit.

167. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the first information to be referred to before the second information is referred to.

168. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling the second information, instead of the first information, to be referred to after all data stored in the first logical volume is copied to the second logical volume.

169. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling monitoring a state of connection with the storage devices; and

code controlling, if a change in the connection state is detected, notifying the change in the connection state to a managing unit.

170. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the virtual volume corresponds to a virtual port of the virtualization system.

171. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the first information includes first port identification information of the virtualization system, which is used by the host system to access the virtual volume, and second port identification information for identifying a second port of the first storage device, and

wherein the second information includes the first port identification information to a third port identification information for identifying a third port of the second storage device.

172. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the first volume identification information is a Logical Unit Number (LUN) of the virtual volume and is related to a virtual port identification information of the virtual volume.

173. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the virtualization system being a switch system.

174. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the computer program further comprises:

code controlling third information to be referred to, the third information including fourth volume identification information, which is related to data received from the host system and is used to identify another virtual volume, and fifth volume identification information for identifying a third logical volume of a third storage device of the storage devices.

175. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein a write data, targeted to the virtual volume and received during the phase, is further written to the first logical volume.

176. The virtualization system as recited in claim 159, wherein the first information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system;

and

wherein the second information is formed by a plurality of information stored in a plurality of parts in the virtualization system.