Hitachi, Ltd.

Takao Mashima

Katsuhiro Uchiumi

Dai Taninaka

Shuichi Yagi

The present invention uses memory resources effectively and connects each storage device by a plurality of paths in a switchable manner, thus improving reliability and ease of use, by virtualizing external memory resources as internal memory resources. External storageis connected to the main storage, and the actual volumeA is mapped onto the virtual volumeA. A plurality of paths is connected between the storageand. When a failure occurs in a path in use (S), the path having the next highest priority is selected (S), and processing is continued using this path (S).

Storage system and method of storage system path control

The invention relates to exchanging micro programs in a storage device, automatically, without halting operation. In one embodiment, the path adapters of a host computer are connected to the input/output ports of respective clusters of a storage device, by respective connection paths. Path switching software is provided in the host computer, as well as database indicating connection destinations of the connection path. In the storage device, the input/output ports are connected to a group of a plurality of hard disk drive devices. An internal management device, and a database indicating the connection destination of each input/output port, are provided in the storage device. The management server device is connected to a host computer and a storage device, via a LAN, and a program exchanging program and micro programs to be used in exchange are provided in this management server device. Instructions for invoking the program are issued from the computer.

System and a method for blocking off processors when communication paths between adapters and a cache memory are determined to be secure

A storage control system having no risk of changing the storage content of a logical volume by a data update to a virtual logical volume. A logical volume, which is not correspondent to a virtual logical volume, can be specified when defining a virtual logical volume correspondent to a logical volume. A first storage controller comprises a port capable of connecting to both a logical volume of the first storage controller, and a logical volume of a second storage controller; a virtual logical volume, which is set in association with a logical volume connected to this port; and a virtual logical volume-setting controller for controlling the setting of a virtual logical volume. The virtual logical volume-setting controller is constituted such that the virtual logical volume cannot be set in a logical volume of the first storage controller.

Storage control system

A storage control apparatus comprises a first storage area and a second storage area. Data in the first storage area is stored according to a first data format, and a host computer can exchange data with it using data access commands of the first data format. Data in the second storage area is stored according to a second data format different from the first data format, and a host computer can exchange data with it using data access commands of the second data format. The storage control apparatus further comprises a data recording format conversion unit that is configured to convert and store data that is stored in the first storage area to the second storage area.

Method and apparatus for detecting and transferring data of different formats

Information processing system and information processing method

An information processing system for managing data stored in two storage devices using different storage formats. The system includes a first disk device for storing data in a first format and a second disk device for storing data in a second format. An upper level device having a display unit and an input unit is connected to the first disk device and the second disk device, for accessing data of the first disk device in the first format and data in the second disk device in the second format. The display unit includes a user interface providing a first area for displaying data of the first disk device and a second area for displaying data of the second disk device. Instructions received from the input unit to transfer data between the first disk device and the second disk device are effected by designating data in the first area or the second area of the display unit, and moving the designated data to a destination area of the display unit. In response, the designated data is moved between the first disk device and the second disk device Thus, data transfers between the first and second disk devices having different storage formats are effected by selecting data shown on either areas of the display unit, and moving the selected data to a destination area on the display unit. In response, the designated data is moved from one of the disk devices to the other.

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Fujisawa, Japan

Takao Mashima