Patent ID: 7526627
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A storage system comprising: a first storage device which can set virtual volumes, and which has a plurality of ports; a first host coupled to the first storage device; a second storage device which is communicably connected to this first storage device, and which can set real volumes and has a plurality of ports; a second host coupled to the second storage device; and a managing device which can respectively control alterations in the constructions of said first storage device and said second storage device; wherein the second storage device is useable by the first host and the second host; wherein, responsive to an alteration request to alter a construction of the first storage device and/or the second storage device, said managing device consults stored construction information defining real-time constructions of both the first storage device and the second storages device, to determine whether an alteration instructed by the alteration request would destroy an existing mutual dependence relationship between a volume and another volume, port or program of the storage system, and said managing device prohibits the alteration when it is determined that the alteration would destroy the existing mutual dependence relationship; wherein said managing device executes (1) volume mapping processing which is used to associate said real volumes set in said second storage control device with said virtual volumes set in said first storage control device, and thus connect said real volumes as data storage destinations for said virtual volumes, and (2) prohibition processing which is used to prohibit construction altering operations that have an effect on inter-volume connection constructions between said virtual volumes and said real volumes that are produced by said volume mapping processing; and wherein said prohibition processing prohibits construction altering operations that have an effect on said inter-volume connection constructions only in cases where said inter-volume connection constructions are maintained, and stops said prohibition in cases where said inter-volume connection constructions are cancelled.