Data copying method

An information processing apparatus connected with a host, a first storage area and a second storage area, the information processing apparatus comprising:

• a computer configured to communicate with the information processing apparatus that executes an operation including:
• executing a copy process based on schedule information indicating a timing for copying data on the first area onto the second area split into a plurality of unit copy operations;
• monitoring a data transfer amount of data transferred between the copy process and the host apparatus;
• determining a time interval calculated during the copy process;
• and
• re-scheduling the copying of data to be ahead of the timing indicated in the schedule information when determining, at a first time, the data transfer amount monitored exceeds a time interval of the schedule for the copy process and implementing the copy process at a rescheduled time interval, while maintaining the timing indicated in the schedule information for another portion of the at least part of the data at a second time.

A switch apparatus connectable with a host and a storage device including first and second areas, the switch apparatus comprising:

• a monitoring module monitoring a state of access by the host to the storage device;
• and
• a copy processor copying at least part of data stored in the first area of the storage device into the second area of the storage device by establishing a schedule, and
• where, when determining at a first time that the time interval calculated during of the copying of the at least part of the data stored in the first area into the second area is determined is less than a predetermined value, the copy processor adjusts the schedule to cause copying of a next portion of the at least part of the data from the first area at a rescheduled time ahead of the schedule, while maintaining the schedule as established for another portion of the at least part of the data at a second time.