Patent ID: 8468314

Claim:
A storage system for performing remote copying, comprising: a first storage apparatus; a second storage apparatus connected with the first storage apparatus; and a third storage apparatus connected with the second apparatus, the first storage apparatus including, a first storage unit, a first buffer, and a first controller to control the first storage apparatus according to a process including, storing data in the first storage unit into the first buffer, and transferring all of the data stored in the first buffer to the second storage apparatus, upon the first buffer being full with the data or after a predetermined time has elapsed from storing the data into the first buffer, the second storage apparatus including, a second storage unit, a second buffer, and a second controller to control the second storage apparatus according to a process including storing data received from the first storage apparatus into the second buffer, outputting all of the data stored in the second buffer from the second buffer to the second storage unit, upon completing of reception of the data, transferring all of the data stored in the second buffer to the third storage apparatus, upon completion of reception of the data from the first storage apparatus, obtaining a starting time of transfer when the second storage apparatus starts to transfer the data to the third storage apparatus, and cancelling the transfer of the data to the third storage apparatus when a prescribed time elapses from the starting time, the third storage apparatus including, a third storage unit, a third buffer, and a third controller to control the third storage apparatus according to a process including, storing the data received from the second storage apparatus into the third buffer, and outputting all of the received data in the third buffer from the third buffer to the third storage unit, upon completion of reception of the data, wherein, the second controller allows the receipt of data from the first storage apparatus, the storing and the outputting after the second controller cancels the transfer of the data to the third storage apparatus.