Claims
- 1. In a computer system including: a first computer; a second computer; a first storage apparatus connected to said second computer and storing data in a fixed-length block format used by said second computer; and a backup apparatus connected to said first computer and storing data in a variable-length block format;
a backup method for backing up data stored in said first storage apparatus to said backup apparatus comprising the steps of:
requesting, from said first computer to said second computer, the reading of data in said fixed-length block format; reading, in response to said request, data in said fixed-length block format from said first storage apparatus using said second computer and transferring said data to said first computer; converting, in said first computer, data in said fixed-length block format to data in said variable-length block format; and storing said data in said variable-length block format to said backup apparatus.
- 2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said transferring step comprises the steps of:
storing said fixed-length data read by said second computer to a second storage apparatus connected to both said first computer and said second computer; and reading data in said fixed-length block format stored in said second storage apparatus into said first computer.
- 3. A method as described in claim 2 further comprising the steps of:
forming an intermediate volume in said second storage apparatus in order to copy data in said fixed-length block format; and generating volume information identifying a starting position and an ending position of data stored in said intermediate volume.
- 4. A method as described in claim 3 wherein said step for creating said volume information comprises a step for storing said volume information in a predetermined region formed in a main memory of said first computer.
- 5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said transferring step transfers data in said fixed-length block format via a communication line connecting said first computer and said second computer.
- 6. A method as described in claim 5 further comprising the steps of:
generating volume information identifying a starting position and an ending position of data in said fixed-length block format in said first storage apparatus; and storing said volume information in a storage apparatus accessible by said first storage apparatus.
- 7. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said storing step stores said volume information in a predetermined region of said main memory of said first computer.
- 8. In a computer system including: a first computer; a second computer; a storage apparatus connected to both said first computer and said second computer and storing data in a fixed-length block format used by said second computer; and a backup apparatus connected to said first computer and storing data in a variable-length block format;
a backup method for backing up data stored in said storage apparatus to said backup apparatus comprising the steps of:
storing volume information used to access data in said fixed-length block format from said first computer in a region distinct from a region in which said data in said fixed-length block format is stored; reading said data in said fixed-length block format from said storage apparatus using said first computer based on information contained in said volume information; converting, in said first computer, said data in said fixed-length block format into data in said variable-length block format; and storing said converted data in said variable-length block format in said backup apparatus.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
P11-041048 |
Feb 1999 |
JP |
|
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/912,872 filed Aug. 19, 1997, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09506271 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
10620373 |
Jul 2003 |
US |