Incremental backup of source to target storage volume

A system for performing a backup of a source storage volume to a target storage volume comprising:

• a backup storage medium;
• and
• a storage volume controller in communication with the backup storage medium, wherein the storage volume controller is configured to:
• initiate a flashcopy of the source storage volume to the target storage volume,
• store the content of the source storage volume on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner,
• monitor the space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume,
• terminate the flashcopy when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level,
• copy the stored content on the target storage volume to a backup storage medium, and
• initiate a new flashcopy of the source storage volume.

A computer program product for performing a backup of a source storage volume to a target storage volume, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

• a first executable portion for initiating a flashcopy of the source storage volume to the target storage volume;
• a second executable portion for storing the content of the source storage volume on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner;
• a third executable portion for monitoring the space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume;
• a fourth executable portion for terminating the flashcopy when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level;
• a fifth executable portion for copying the stored content on the target storage volume to a backup storage medium;
• and
• a sixth executable portion for initiating a new flashcopy of the source storage volume.