Switching visibility between virtual data storage entities

A method for switching visibility between virtual data storage entities in a data storage environment using a processor device, comprising:

• determining a use of cloning at a second storage system at a remote location as part of an organization replication policy to reduce resource consumption on a first storage system;
• defining a data replication operation from the first storage system to the second storage system by specifying a library identification (ID) on the second storage system;
• selecting a range of a plurality of available entities for switching visibility, the plurality of available entities including the data storage entity;
• queueing a switching visibility request for the range of the plurality of available entities including the data storage entity on a first storage system so as not to be visible to the first storage system;
• preparing a policy for a backup entities including the data storage entity;
• replicating data from the data storage entity from the first storage system to the second storage system using a common serial number, while the switching request is queueing;
• hiding the data storage entity from the first storage system by concealing the common serial number;
• ejecting the data storage entity from the first storage system;
• after completion of the replicating, setting visibility of the replicated data storage entity to the second storage system to visible;
• introducing the replicated data storage entity to the second storage system;
• and
• upon the switching visibility request reaching a head of the queue,
• executing the queue,
• performing a synchronization operation for the data storage entity to determine one of executing a replication request and executing the switching visibility request,
• executing the replicating of the data for the data storage entity until completion, the synchronization operation for the data storage entity performing one of returning an authorization for the switching visibility request if the replication request is completed and pausing the switching visibility request during the execution of the replication request,
• maintaining the queue until the authorization is received, and
• setting the switching visibility to an active status for the replicated data storage entity.