Patent ID: 8266400
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A remote copying method executed by a computer system that includes a first computer; a first storage system coupled to the first computer; a second storage system coupled to the first storage system; and a second computer coupled to the second storage system, the remote copying method comprising the steps of: the first storage system creating a first logical volume that is accessed by the first computer; the second storage system creating a second logical volume in which a copy of the data stored in the first logical volume is stored; the first computer executing a first operating system and a first program, and transmitting a plurality of write data generated by the first program to the first storage system; the second computer executing a second operating system and a second program; the first operating system receiving an enqueue request which is issued by the first program, specifying a first data object, and indicating the start of updating to ensure consistency of the first data object with the first program, and transmitting a start marker request that includes information on the first data object to the first storage system; the first operating system receiving a dequeue request which is issued by the first program, specifying the first data object, and indicating completion of updating relating to the first data object, and transmitting an end marker request that includes information on the first data object to the first storage system; the first storage system receiving the plurality of write data, the start marker request and the end marker request, and updating the data stored in the first logical volume using the plurality of write data; the first storage system generating a plurality of transmission data including the plurality of write data, start marker information corresponding to the start marker request, end marker information corresponding to the end marker request, and a plurality of sequence information on the timing of receipt of the plurality of write data, the start marker information and the end marker information; the first storage system transmitting the plurality of transmission data to the second storage system asynchronously with the receipt of the plurality of write data; the second storage system receiving the plurality of transmission data; the second storage system identifying, based on the sequence information, a series of write data included in the plurality of transmission data, relating to a second data object that is a copy of the first data object, and including the plurality of write data received by the first storage system after receipt of the start marker request and before receipt of the end marker request; the second storage system transmitting an update start notification that includes information on the second object to the second computer, in accordance with a judgment that the data stored in the second logical volume is to be updated using a part or all of the series of write data; the second program issuing an enqueue request specifying the second data object to the second operating system, and if the enqueue request is successful, transmitting to the second storage system a response to the update start notification via the second operating system; the second storage system starting to update the data stored in the second logical volume using the series of write data, and, when updating of the data stored in the second logical volume is completed, transmitting an update completion notification to the second computer; and the second program issuing a dequeue request specifying the second data object to the second operating system when the update completion notification is received.