Patent ID: 7228382
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A disk array system in a storage system comprising: a first disk array system for receiving data input/output requests from an information processing apparatus and performing data Input/output processes relative to a first storage volume for storing data in response to the data input/output requests; and a second disk array system connected to said first disk array system in a communication enable state for performing data input/output processes relative to a second storage volume for storing data, wherein said first disk array system comprises: a first memory for storing data transferred between said first disk array system and said second disk array system, a data transfer adaptor for transferring data between said first memory and said second disk array system in response to each of the input/output requests, wherein said data transfer adaptor comprises: a second memory, an input/output control unit for writing data transfer information corresponding to each of the data input/output requests in said second memory, said data transfer information containing a storage location of data in said first memory and a storage location of data in said second disk array system, and a plurality of data transfer control units each for controlling data transfer between said first memory and said second disk array system in response to one of the data input/output requests, wherein each data transfer control unit includes a data buffer for storing data and a data transfer register for storing said data transfer information, said data transfer control unit controlling data transfer between said first memory and said second disk array system via said data buffer in accordance with said data transfer information, corresponding to one of the data input/output requests, read from said second memory and written in said data transfer register, wherein, when a second data transfer between said first memory and said second disk array system based on second data transfer information corresponding to a second one of the data input/output requests is controlled while a first data transfer between said first memory and said second disk array system based on first data transfer information corresponding to a first one of the data input/output requests is controlled, a second data transfer control unit, reads said second data transfer information from said second memory, writes said second data transfer information in a second data transfer register, and in accordance with said second data transfer information, controls said second data transfer, wherein said first disk array system further comprises: a third memory which stores pair management information which defines a pair state between a storage volume in said first disk array system and a storage volume in said second disk array system, wherein when said first disk array system writes data to said storage volume in said first disk array system, a copy of said data is transferred to said second disk array system and stored in said storage volume in said second disk array system, and wherein when said first disk array system is requested to form a pair, said pair management information is updated to indicate said pair being formed.