Switch device, system, backup method and computer program

Abstract

Disclosed is a system which includes at least one client, a plural number of file servers, each having a file system, and a switch logically arranged between the client and the plural file servers to provide file access services which virtually render the plural file services accessible as a single file system, termed a ‘pseudo file system’, when viewed from the terminal. The switch distributes a command for start of generation of snapshots to the plural file servers, which file servers formulate respective snapshots responsive to the command for start of formation of the snapshots. The switch sets the plural snapshots, generated by the plural file servers, so as to be associated with the file system structure of the virtual file system at the time of formation of the snapshots.

1 . A backup management system comprising:
 a plurality of file devices, each including a file system;   means for halting access to said file devices; and   means for commanding said plurality of file devices to start generation of snapshots after the access to said file devices has halted.   
   
   
       2 . The backup management system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for restarting to access to said file devices after completing generation of the snapshots.   
   
   
       3 . The backup management system according to  claims 1 , further comprising:
 a unit for consolidating the snapshots generated by said plurality of file devices using junctions of said snapshots.   
   
   
       4 . A file access service system comprising:
 an intermediate device logically arranged between at least one terminal and a plurality of file devices, each provided with a file system;   said intermediate device including:   means for halting access to said file devices; and   means for commanding said plurality of file devices to start generation of snapshots after the access to said file devices has halted.   
   
   
       5 . The file access service system according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 means for restarting to access to said file devices after completing generation of the snapshots.   
   
   
       6 . The file access service system according to  claims 4 , further comprising:
 a unit for consolidating the snapshots generated by said plurality of file devices using junctions of said snapshots.   
   
   
       7 . A switch device logically arranged between at least one terminal and a plurality of file devices, each provided with a file system, said switch device including:
 means for halting access to said file devices; and   means for commanding said plurality of file devices to start generation of snapshots after the access to said file devices has halted.   
   
   
       8 . The switch device according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 means for restarting to access to said file devices after completing generation of the snapshots.   
   
   
       9 . The switch device according to  claims 7 , further comprising:
 a unit for consolidating the snapshots generated by said plurality of file devices using junctions of said snapshots.   
   
   
       10 . A method for backup management comprising:
 halting access to a plurality of file devices, each provided with a file system; and   commanding said plurality of file devices to start generation of snapshots after the access to said file devices has halted.   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 restarting to access to said file devices after generating the snapshots.   
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claims 10 , further comprising:
 consolidating the snapshots generated by said plurality of file devices using junctions of said snapshots.   
   
   
       13 . A method for file access service comprising:
 halting access to a plurality of file devices, each provided with a file system; and   commanding said plurality of file devices to start generation of snapshots after the access to said file devices has halted.   
   
   
       14 . The method for file access service according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 restarting to access to said file devices after completing generation of the snapshots.   
   
   
       15 . The method for file access service according to  claims 13 , further comprising:
 consolidating the snapshots generated by said plurality of file devices using junctions of said snapshots.