Information processing system and storage area allocating method

Abstract

A plurality of storages having respective attributes and a method for preserving data is provided in consideration of the attribute (performance or cost) and the operation ratio of the storage and the using frequency of the data in the storage area network. The information processing system of the invention includes a location management unit for managing a location of the data stored in the storage, an information duplication unit for duplicating the data between the storages, and an attribute preservation unit for preserving information for representing the attribute of each storage. The location management unit duplicates and moves the data between the storages by using the information duplication unit, based on the operation ratio of the storage, the access frequency of the data, the control information and the billing information.

1 . A method for providing a storage area to a plurality of computers in an information processing system comprising a plurality of storage devices comprising steps of: 
 accepting data to be saved from one of said computers through a network;    receiving attribute information representing what kind of storage is to be saved;    specifying one of said plurality of storage devices in which data is to be stored in accordance with said attribute information and control information for specifying how said data is saved; and    saving said data in said one of said plurality of storage devices.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said information processing system further comprises a management computer that can be coupled with said computers and said storage devices through said network, said steps being performed by said management computer.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said management computer stores said control information before executing said step of specifying.  
   
   
       4 . A method for providing a storage area in an information processing system having a plurality of storages, thus providing each of a plurality of computers with the storage area of a storage, comprising the steps of: 
 accepting data to be saved from one of said computers through a network;    receiving attribute information indicative of one of said plurality of storages to use for storing said data;    specifying a first storage among said plurality of storages in accordance with said attribute information and first control information for specifying how the data is saved;    saving said data in said first storage;    accepting another control information from said network;    specifying a second storage from among said plurality of storages in accordance with said attribute information and said another control information; and    either duplicating or moving said data from said first storage to said second storage.    
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said information processing system further has a management computer in data communication with said computers and with said storages through said network, and wherein said steps are executed by said management computer.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said management computer stores said control information before executing said steps of specifying said first and second storages.