# US 2013/0159255 A1 · Storage system and method for controlling storage system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0159255 A1 - Document ID: US20130159255A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/383,554 - Filed: 2011-12-20 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: Hitachi Computer Peripherals Co., Ltd.; Hitachi, Ltd. - Inventors: Shigeru Kaga; Mikito Ogata; Mamoru Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130159255A1 ## CPC - G06F 11/1458: {Management of the backup or restore process} - G06F 11/1453: {using de-duplication of the data} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Provided is a storage system providing a data storage area to an external apparatus. The storage system includes at least a first information processing apparatus including a first logical storage area forming the data storage area and a first data processing part performing processing of reducing the storage capacity used by a backup target data in the first logical storage area, and a second information processing apparatus communicatively coupled to the first information processing apparatus and including a second logical storage area forming the data storage area, and a second data processing part performing processing of reducing the storage capacity used by the backup target data in the second logical storage area. The first information processing apparatus further includes an evaluation index allocation processing part determining which one of the first and second data processing parts to use to process the backup target data according to an evaluation index prescribed as a data format of the backup target data, and a backup processing part, when performing backup processing of the backup target data, refers to the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and any of the first and second data processing parts determined by the evaluation index allocation processing part, and causes the first or second data processing part is associated with the data format of the backup target data, to process the backup target data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A storage system for providing a data storage area to an external apparatus, the storage system comprising at least: a first information processing apparatus including a first logical storage area forming the data storage area, and a first data processing part configured to perform processing to reduce the storage capacity used by a backup target data in the first logical storage area, and a second information processing apparatus communicatively coupled to the first information processing apparatus and including a second logical storage area forming the data storage area, and a second data processing part configured to perform processing to reduce the storage capacity used by a backup target data in the second logical storage area, wherein the first information processing apparatus further includes: an evaluation index allocation processing part configured to determine which one of the first data processing part and the second data processing part to use to process a backup target data according to an evaluation index prescribed as a data format of the backup target data, and a backup processing part configured to, when performing backup processing of the backup target data, refer to an association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and any of the first and second data processing parts determined by the evaluation index allocation processing part, and cause the backup target data to be processed by using the first or second data processing part associated with the data format of the backup target data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation index allocation processing part causes each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part to process the backup target data, and determines the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part on the basis of processing results of the first and second data processing parts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The storage system according to claim 2, wherein processing executed in each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part includes at least one of data compression processing of reducing the data size of the backup target data or de-duplication processing of preventing data redundant storage in the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup destination. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The storage system according to claim 2, wherein the processing results in the first data processing part and the second data processing part are a throughput value calculated on the basis of a time taken for the backup processing and measured when each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part processes the backup target data, and a compression rate calculated as a capacity ratio between the backup target data before the backup processing and the backup target data after the backup processing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The storage system according to claim 1, wherein when any of the first data processing part and the second data processing part processes the backup target data, the first data processing part or the second data processing part processing the backup target data creates additional information of a backup target file, and stores the additional information into a predetermined storage destination in the storage system, the additional information including information identifying the first data processing part or the second data processing part processing the backup target data, and information indicating a storage destination of the backup target data processed by the first data processing part or the second data processing part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the first information processing apparatus or the second information processing apparatus includes a restoring processing part configured to restore the backup target data backed up in the backup processing to the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup source, the backup processing part records backup history information including: information identifying the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup source in the backup processing; information identifying the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup destination in the backup processing, and a storage location of additional information generated in the backup processing, the backup source information, the backup destination information and the storage location being associated with each other, and the restoring processing part refers to the backup history information containing information of the backup destination serving as a restoring source in which a restoring target data is stored, and causes the first data processing part or the second data processing part designated by the additional information recorded in the backup history information to execute the restoring processing of the backup target data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The storage system according to claim 3, wherein the evaluation index allocation processing part records an association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part for each of a case of achieving the highest compression rate and a case of achieving the largest throughput value, and the backup processing part executes the backup processing by using the first or second data processing part determined to achieve the highest compression rate if the compression rate is prioritized in a backup processing execution command, and by using the first or second data processing part determined to achieve the largest throughput value if the throughput value is prioritized in a backup processing execution command. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The storage system according to claim 1, wherein when it is detected that a function of the first data processing part or the second data processing part is updated in the storage system, or when a third information processing apparatus including a third data processing part having a function similar to that of the first data processing part or the second data processing part is provided in the storage system, the evaluation index allocation processing part causes the first data processing part, the second data processing part and the third data processing part to process the backup target data, and determines the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and any of the first, second and third data processing parts on the basis of processing results of the first, second and third data processing parts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The storage system according to claim 1 further comprising a third information processing apparatus including a third data processing part having a function similar to that of the first data processing part or the second data processing part, wherein when it is detected that the first information processing apparatus including the first data processing part or the second information processing apparatus including the second data processing part is dismantled from the storage system, the evaluation index allocation processing part determines again the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part by excluding the dismantled first data processing part or second data processing part. ### Claim 10 A method for controlling a storage system for providing a data storage area to an external apparatus, the storage system including at least: a first information processing apparatus including a first logical storage area forming the data storage area, and a first data processing part configured to perform processing to reduce the storage capacity used by a backup target data in the first logical storage area, and a second information processing apparatus communicatively coupled to the first information processing apparatus and including a second logical storage area forming the data storage area, and a second data processing part configured to perform processing to reduce the storage capacity used by a backup target data in the second logical storage area, the method comprising the steps, executed by the first information processing apparatus, of: determining which one of the first data processing part and the second data processing part to use to process a backup target data according to an evaluation index prescribed as a data format of the backup target data; and when performing backup processing of the backup target data, referring to an association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and any of the first and second data processing parts determined by the evaluation index allocation processing part, and causing the backup target data to be processed by using the first or second data processing part associated with the data format of the backup target data. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 10, wherein the evaluation index allocation processing part causes each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part to process the backup target data, and determines the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part on the basis of processing results of the first and second data processing parts. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 11, wherein processing executed in each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part includes at least one of data compression processing of reducing the data size of the backup target data or de-duplication processing of preventing data redundant storage in the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup destination. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 11, wherein the processing results in the first data processing part and the second data processing part are a throughput value calculated on the basis of a time taken for the backup processing and measured when each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part processes the backup target data, and a compression rate calculated as a capacity ratio between the backup target data before the backup processing and the backup target data after the backup processing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 10, wherein when any of the first data processing part and the second data processing part processes the backup target data, the first data processing part or the second data processing part processing the backup target data creates additional information of a backup target file, and stores the additional information into a predetermined storage destination in the storage system, the additional information including information identifying the first data processing part or the second data processing part processing the backup target data, and information indicating a storage destination of the backup target data processed by the first data processing part or the second data processing part. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 10, wherein when restoring the backed-up backup target data in the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup source, the first information processing apparatus or the second information processing apparatus records backup history information including: information identifying the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup source in the backup processing; information identifying the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup destination in the backup processing, and a storage location of additional information generated in the backup processing, the backup source information, the backup destination information and the storage location being associated with each other, refers to the backup history information containing information of the backup destination serving as a restoring source in which a restoring target data is stored, and causes the first data processing part or the second data processing part designated by the additional information recorded in the backup history information to execute the restoring processing of the backup target data. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 12, wherein the first information processing apparatus records an association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part for each of a case of achieving the highest compression rate and a case of achieving the largest throughput value, and the backup processing part executes the backup processing by using the first or second data processing part determined to achieve the highest compression rate if the compression rate is prioritized in a backup processing execution command, and by using the first or second data processing part determined to achieve the largest throughput value if the throughput value is prioritized in a backup processing execution command. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 10, wherein when it is detected that a function of the first data processing part or the second data processing part is updated in the storage system, or when a third information processing apparatus including a third data processing part having a function similar to that of the first data processing part or the second data processing part is provided in the storage system, the first information processing apparatus causes the first data processing part, the second data processing part and the third data processing part to process the backup target data, and determines the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and any of the first, second and third data processing parts on the basis of processing results of the first, second and third data processing parts. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method for controlling a storage system according to claim 10, wherein the storage system further including a third information processing apparatus including a third data processing part having a function similar to that of the first data processing part or the second data processing part, when it is detected that the first information processing apparatus including the first data processing part or the second information processing apparatus including the second data processing part is dismantled from the storage system, the first information processing apparatus determines again the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part by excluding the dismantled first data processing part or second data processing part. ### Claim 19 A storage system configured to provide a data storage area to an external apparatus, the storage system comprising at least: a first information processing apparatus including a first logical storage area forming the data storage area, and a first data processing part configured to perform processing to reduce the storage capacity used by a backup target data in the first logical storage area, and a second information processing apparatus communicatively coupled to the first information processing apparatus and including a second logical storage area forming the data storage area, and a second data processing part configured to perform processing to reduce the storage capacity used by a backup target data in the second logical storage area, wherein the first information processing apparatus further includes: an evaluation index allocation processing part configured to determine which one of the first data processing part and the second data processing part to use to process a backup target data according to an evaluation index prescribed as a data format of the backup target data, and a backup processing part configured to, when performing backup processing of the backup target data, refer to an association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and any of the first and second data processing parts determined by the evaluation index allocation processing part, and cause the backup target data to be processed by using the first or second data processing part associated with the data format of the backup target data, the evaluation index allocation processing part causes each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part to process the backup target data, and determines the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part on the basis of processing results of the first and second data processing parts, processing executed in each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part includes at least one of data compression processing of reducing the data size of the backup target data or de-duplication processing of preventing data redundant storage in the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup destination, the processing results in the first data processing part and the second data processing part are a throughput value calculated on the basis of a time taken for the backup processing and measured when each of the first data processing part and the second data processing part processes the backup target data, and a compression rate calculated as a capacity ratio between the backup target data before and the backup target data after the backup processing, when any of the first data processing part and the second data processing part processes the backup target data, the first data processing part or the second data processing part processing the backup target data creates additional information of a backup target file, and stores the additional information into a predetermined storage destination in the storage system, the additional information including information identifying the first data processing part or the second data processing part processing the backup target data, and information indicating a storage destination of the backup target data processed by the first data processing part or the second data processing part, the first information processing apparatus or the second information processing apparatus includes a restoring processing part configured to restore the backup target data backed up in the backup processing to the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup source, backup history information including: information identifying the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup source in the backup processing; information identifying the first logical storage area or the second logical storage area serving as a backup destination in the backup processing, and a storage location of additional information generated in the backup processing, the backup source information, the backup destination information and the storage location being associated with each other, the restoring processing part refers to the backup history information containing information of the backup destination serving as a restoring source in which a restoring target data is stored, and causes the first data processing part or the second data processing part designated by the additional information recorded in the backup history information to execute the restoring processing of the backup target data, the evaluation index allocation processing part records an association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part for each of a case of achieving the highest compression rate and a case of achieving the largest throughput value, the backup processing part executes the backup processing by using the first or second data processing part determined to achieve the highest compression rate if the compression rate is prioritized in a backup processing execution command, and by using the first or second data processing part determined to achieve the largest throughput value if the throughput value is prioritized in a backup processing execution command, when it is detected that a function of the first data processing part or the second data processing part is updated in the storage system, or when a third information processing apparatus including a third data processing part having a function similar to that of the first data processing part or the second data processing part is provided in the storage system, the evaluation index allocation processing part causes the first data processing part, the second data processing part and the third data processing part to process the backup target data, and determines the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and any of the first, second and third data processing parts on the basis of processing results of the first, second and third data processing parts, and in the case that the storage system further comprises a third information processing apparatus including a third data processing part having a function similar to that of the first data processing part or the second data processing part, when it is detected that the first information processing apparatus including the first data processing part or the second information processing apparatus including the second data processing part is dismantled from the storage system, the evaluation index allocation processing part determines again the association relationship between the data format of the backup target data and the data processing part by excluding the dismantled first data processing part or second data processing part.