Method and apparatus to manage tier information

A storage system of tier management of data which is coupled with a host via a network, the storage system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• a plurality of virtual volumes;
• a plurality of logical volumes;
• a plurality of physical media;
• and
• a tier control module configured to set up tier migration log information, which includes
• selecting an area specified by a virtual volume address and a logical volume address;
• determining a destination tier for the area based on a number of accesses to the area;
• and
• updating a tier migration log information by inputting the determined destination tier and a time;
• wherein the tier control module is configured to determine whether to migrate a specific area using the tier migration log information, which includes
• loading a tier migration log from the tier migration log information by selecting a specific time;
• checking if a current tier of the specific area equals a destination tier specified by the tier migration log;
• and
• if the current tier is not equal to the destination tier, migrating the specific area to the destination tier.

An interface for tier management of data by performing a tier migration log information setup process which includes selecting an area specified by a virtual volume address and a logical volume address, determining a destination tier for the area based on a number of accesses to the area, and updating a tier migration log information by inputting the determined destination tier and a time and performance of access for the area;

• and performing a process using the tier migration log information to determine whether to migrate a specific area which includes loading a tier migration log from the tier migration log information by selecting a specific time, checking if a current tier of the specific area equals a destination tier specified by the tier migration log, and if the current tier is not equal to the destination tier, migrating the specific area to the destination tier, wherein the current tier of the specific area is determined from tier and media definition information, the interface comprising computer readable program code devices for:
• receiving, from a user, the tier and media definition information which includes tier, media type, capacity threshold, and default tier;
• displaying the received tier and media definition information on a tier management screen;
• and
• displaying an OK button for the user to activate to update the tier and media definition information displayed on the tier management screen.