Patent ID: 7272727

Claim:
A method for enabling access by a second platform storage system to encrypted data encrypted by a first platform storage system and stored in an external storage system when the second platform storage system is to replace the first platform storage system, the first platform storage system initially being in communication with a host computer for receiving input/output (I/O) requests from the host computer, the method comprising the steps of: receiving by said first platform storage system write data from the host computer; encrypting the write data by the first platform storage system and storing the encrypted write data as at least part of the encrypted data in the external storage system; storing encryption information in said first platform storage system that corresponds to the encrypted data stored in the external storage system; transferring said encryption information from said first platform storage system to said second platform storage system; connecting the second platform storage system for communication with said host computer and said external storage system; and storing said encryption information in said second platform storage system to enable said second platform storage system, in response to a request received from the host computer, to access the encrypted data contained in said external storage system, decrypt the encrypted data, and return unencrypted data to said host computer.