Data management method in storage pool and virtual volume in DKC

1. A storage system connected to a computer and a management computer, comprising:

storage devices accessed by the computer; and

a control unit for controlling the storage devices,

wherein a first-type logical device that is a storage area corresponding to a storage area set in at least one of the storage devices and includes a first first-type logical device and a second first-type logical device different in a characteristic, and a second-type logical device that is a virtual storage area are provided, and

wherein the control unit:

sets at least two of the first-type logical devices as storage areas included in a storage pool through mapping;

sets the first-type logical device to be able to store data by not allocating a storage area of the second-type logical device to a storage area of the first first-type logical device first and, when the storage pool is accessed, allocating the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the first-type logical device in a pool slot mapped to the storage pool if the second-type logical device is not allocated in response to access to the second-type logical device from the computer;

sets the second-type logical device to be accessible by the computer if the storage area of the second type logical device is allocated in response to access to the second-type logical device from the computer;

changes the access characteristic of the second-type logical device by changing the allocated storage area of the second-type logical device to a storage area of the second first-type logical device.

2. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the first-type logical device includes a storage area of a storage device provided inside a chassis of the storage system.

3. The storage system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a primary storage system; and

a secondary storage system that is externally connected to the primary storage system,

wherein the first-type logical device includes a storage area of a storage device provided for the external storage system.

4. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the first-type logical device includes a storage area of a storage device using a tape type recording medium.

5. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the first-type logical device includes a storage area of a storage device connected via an ATA interface.

6. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the first-type logical device includes a storage area of a storage device connected via a Fibre Channel interface.

7. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the first-type logical device includes a storage area that stores data divided into predetermined size in sequential storage areas.

8. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the first-type logical device includes a storage area that provides a parallel access to data divided into predetermined size.

9. The storage system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the control unit:

sets the first first-type logical device and the second first-type logical device as storage areas of the storage pool through mapping;

copies data stored in the first first-type logical device allocated to the storage area of the second-type logical device to the second first-type logical device;

releases the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the first first-type logical device; and

changes the characteristic of the second-type logical device by allocating the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.

10. The storage system according to claim 9 ,

wherein, when the storage area of the first first-type logical device is allocated to the storage area of the second-type logical device, the control unit:

obtains an access characteristic from the computer to the second-type logical device, and a characteristic of the storage area of the first-type logical device;

compares the obtained access characteristic and the obtained characteristic of the storage area to predetermined conditions; and

when the predetermined conditions are satisfied in the comparison, changes the characteristic of the second-type logical device by changing the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device of the access destination to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.

11. The storage system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first first-type logical device stores data divided into predetermined size in a storage area accessible in parallel, and the second first-type logical device stores data divided into predetermined size in sequential storage areas, and

wherein the control unit:

sets the first first-type logical device and the second first-type logical device as storage areas of the storage pool through mapping;

copies data stored in the first first-type logical device allocated to the storage area of the second-type logical device to the second first-type logical device;

releases the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the first first-type logical device; and

changes the characteristic of the second-type logical device by allocating the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.

12. The storage system according to claim 11 ,

wherein, when the storage area of the first first-type logical device is allocated to the storage area of the second-type logical device, the control unit:

obtains an access characteristic from the computer to the second-type logical device, and a characteristic of the storage area of the first first-type logical device;

compares the obtained access characteristic and the obtained characteristic of the storage area to predetermined conditions; and

when the predetermined conditions are satisfied in the comparison, changes the characteristic of the second-type logical device by changing the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device of the access destination to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.

13. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit:

sets the first first-type logical device as a storage area of the storage pool through mapping;

copies data stored in the first first-type logical device allocated to the storage area of the second-type logical device to the second first-type logical device that is not set as the memory area of the storage pool;

releases the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the first first-type logical device; and

changes the characteristic of the second-type logical device by allocating the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.

14. The storage system according to claim 13 ,

wherein, when the storage area of the first first-type logical device is allocated to the storage area of the second-type logical device, the control unit:

obtains an access characteristic from the computer to the second-type logical device and a characteristic of the storage area of the first-type logical device;

compares the obtained access characteristic and the obtained characteristic of the storage area to predetermined conditions; and

when the predetermined conditions are satisfied in the comparison, changes the characteristic of the second-type logical device by changing the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device of the access destination to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.

15. The storage system according to claim 1 , comprising:

a primary storage system; and

a secondary storage system externally connected to the primary storage system,

wherein the first first-type logical device is constituted of the storage device provided in the primary storage system, and the second first-type logical device is constituted of the storage device provided in the secondary storage system, and

wherein the control unit:

sets the first first-type logical device and the second first-type logical device as storage areas of the storage pool through mapping; and

changes the characteristic of a part of the storage area of the second-type logical device by, without releasing the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the first first-type logical device, further allocating the storage area of the second-type logical device to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.

16. The storage system according to claim 15 ,

wherein, when the storage area of the first first-type logical device is allocated to the storage area of the second-type logical device, the control unit:

obtains an access characteristic from the computer to the second-type logical device, and a characteristic of the storage area of the first-type logical device;

compares the obtained access characteristic and the obtained characteristic of the storage area to predetermined conditions; and

when the predetermined conditions are satisfied in the comparison, changes the characteristic of the second-type logical device by changing the allocation of the storage area of the second-type logical device of the access destination to the storage area of the second first-type logical device.