Patent ID: 7237083

Claim:
A storage system that comprises a first storage control system connected to a host device and a second storage control system connected to the first storage control system, wherein the second storage control system comprises: a memory area for memorizing control system information relating to the second storage control system; a channel control unit, having a control processor, for controlling data communications with the first storage control system; and a key information item storage area for storing one or a plurality of key information items with a fixed constitution, wherein each of the one or the plurality of key information items corresponds with each of the type or types of the second storage control system, wherein the control processor of the channel control unit selects a key information item from among the one or the plurality of key information items, judges whether, in the control system information indicated by the information element in the selected key information item, there exists the information element in the selected key information item, and transmits all information items included in the control system information to the first storage control system when an affirmative judgment result is obtained but does not transmit the control system information or transmits only the other information item or items than the nonconforming information item included in the control system information to the first storage control system when a negative judgment result is obtained, and wherein upon receiving, from the second storage control system, all the information items included in the control system information, the first storage control system forms a logical path between the host device and the storage resources in the second storage control system based on the received information items but does not form the logical path when all information items included in the control system information are not received or when only some information items are received.