File server, file management system and file relocation method

A file server for controlling storage of file data in a storage apparatus to which the file server is communicatively coupled in a storage system coupled to a client, the storage apparatus storing data in a plurality of volumes that form a plurality of RAID groups, the file server comprising:

• an interface that receives file access requests from a client;
• and
• a file manager component configured to:
• define a set of first users that have similar corresponding time-zones during which access to the data stored in the storage apparatus is not made as a first group;
• relate the first group to a first RAID group of the plurality of RAID groups such that the storage apparatus is configured to migrate data of a file accessed by a user of the set of first users to the first RAID group;
• and
• associate the first group with a first time-zone that is calculated based on a time-zone required for spin-down and spin-up to be performed in the first RAID group and the corresponding time-zones during which access to the data stored in the storage apparatus is not made for the set of first users such that the storage apparatus is configured to operate the first RAID group in a power saving state during the first time-zone,
• wherein a length of the first time-zone is determined in accordance with both a length of the corresponding and a length of needed for spin-down and spin-up to be performed in the RAID group, and
• wherein the power saving state is a spin-down state.

A file management method for a storage system coupled to a client, the file management method comprising:

• storing data in a plurality of volumes that form a plurality of RAID groups;
• and
• receiving file access requests from the client and controlling storage of file data in the storage apparatus;
• defining a set of first users that have similar corresponding time-zones during which access to the data stored in the storage apparatus is not made as a first group;
• relating the first group to a first RAID group of the plurality of RAID groups;
• associating the first group with a first time-zone that is calculated based on a time-zone required for spin-down and spin-up to be performed in the first RAID group and the corresponding time-zones during which access to the data stored in the storage apparatus is not made for the set of first users;
• migrating data of a file accessed by a user of the set of first users to the first RAID group;
• and
• operating the first RAID group in a power saving state during the first time-zone, and
• wherein a length of the first time-zone is determined in accordance with both a length of the corresponding time-zones and a length of a time period needed for spin-down and spin-up to be performed in the RAID group, and
• wherein the power saving state is a spin-down state.