Control method, backup system, control program, and control device

Abstract

To improve the security of backup or restoration.SOLUTION: A control device 30 controls at least one of backup and restoration of data which are performed via a network between NASs 11 to 13 and storages 21 and 22. The control device 30 holds NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32 indicating first owners of the NASs 11 to 13 and second owners of the storages 21 and 22. When a first owner and a second owner are identical, the control device 30 controls a system so that at least one of backup and restoration is allowed between the storage corresponding to the second owner and an NAS corresponding to the first owner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method, a backup system, a control program, and a control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a backup method for evacuating data from a network attached storage (NAS) or the like to cloud storage that is resistant to natural disasters. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a contract-based cloud backup service. Also known is a service in which a maintenance management company backs up data from a client's NAS to cloud storage. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] “AOSBOX”, AOS Data Co., Ltd., [online], [searched June 23, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.aosbox.com / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a maintenance management company manages the backup and restoration of NAS for multiple users (e.g., a corporate company), there is a possibility of operational errors occurring, such as backing up data from one user's NAS to another user's cloud storage, or restoring backup data from another user's cloud storage to one user's NAS.

[0005] The service in Non-Patent Document 1 is intended for use within a company that uses NAS or the like, and is not a service that backs up data from the outsourcing company's NAS to cloud storage.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to improve the safety of backup and restoration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The control method of the present invention is a control method for controlling at least one of backup and restoration of data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, which holds owner information indicating the first owner of the storage device and the second owner of the backup storage, and when the first owner and the second owner match, controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device.

[0008] The backup system of the present invention includes a storage device, a backup storage, and a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between the storage device and the backup storage, the control device holding owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, and when the first owner and second owner match, controlling so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device.

[0009] The control program of the present invention is a control program for a control device that controls at least one of backup and restoration of data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, and causes the control device to hold owner information indicating the first owner of the storage device and the second owner of the backup storage, and, if the first owner and the second owner match, execute a process that controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device.

[0010] The control device of the present invention is a control device that controls at least one of backup and restoration of data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, and is equipped with a storage unit that holds owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, and a control that controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device when the first owner and second owner match. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control method, a backup system, a control program, and a control device that can improve the safety of backup and restoration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a backup system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device 30. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a maintenance management terminal 40. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a backup operation in the backup system 1. [Figure 5] 5 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions of the maintenance management terminal 40 during the backup operation shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a restoration operation in the backup system 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the backup operation in the backup system 1. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing an example of screen transitions on the maintenance management terminal 40 during the backup operation shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the backup system 1. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a backup operation in the backup system 1 in response to an operation from a corporate company A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Embodiment) <Backup system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a backup system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The backup system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes, for example, NAS devices 11 to 13, a cloud storage 20, a control device 30, and a maintenance management terminal 40. These are connected via a network 90. The network 90 is a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet.

[0015] NAS 11 to 13 are storage devices that have communication functions and are connected to a network 90. The IDs of NAS 11 to 13 are n1 to n3, respectively. NAS 11 and 12 are NAS used internally by corporate company A. NAS 13 is a NAS used internally by corporate company B, which is different from corporate company A.

[0016] In this case, corporate company A is the owner of NAS 11 and 12, and corporate company B is the owner of NAS 13. The owner (first owner) of a NAS is the person (user) who has the right to store data on that NAS. Therefore, the owner of a NAS is not limited to the person who owns the NAS (for example, the purchaser), but also includes someone who is using the NAS by renting or leasing it from another party. For example, NAS 11 and 12 may be purchased by corporate company A itself and used, or may be rented from another party (for example, maintenance management company X) and used.

[0017] Cloud storage 20 is a storage system capable of saving and reading data via network 90, and includes storages 21 and 22. Storages 21 and 22 are backup storages used for backing up and restoring data. Storage 21 is a storage area (storage capacity) allocated to corporate company A in cloud storage 20, where corporate company A can save its own data. Storage 22 is a storage area (storage capacity) allocated to corporate company B in cloud storage 20, where corporate company B can save its own data.

[0018] In this case, corporate company A is the owner of storage 21, and corporate company B is the owner of storage 22. The owner (second owner) of a storage is a person (user) who is assigned the storage's storage area (storage capacity) and has the right to store data in that storage. Therefore, the owner of a storage is not limited to a person who is assigned the storage's storage area through a contract with the operator of cloud storage 20, but also includes a person who is further assigned the storage area by that person. For example, storage 21 may be assigned to corporate company A through a contract between corporate company A and the operator of cloud storage 20, or it may be assigned to a third party (for example, maintenance and management company X) through a contract between that third party and the operator of cloud storage 20, and then assigned to corporate company A by that third party.

[0019] The control device 30 is a device that provides a backup control service, controlling at least one of backup and restoration of data via a network 90 between the NAS 11 to 13 and the storages 21 and 22. The control device 30 may be a virtual information processing device realized in a cloud computing service, or may be a physical information processing device realized as a single device (see, for example, FIG. 2).

[0020] For example, the control device 30 controls the NAS11 and the cloud storage 20 to send data stored in the NAS11 from the NAS11 to the cloud storage 20 via the network 90, and stores the data as backup data in the storage 21 of the cloud storage 20, thereby backing up the data in the NAS11.

[0021] Furthermore, after the above backup, for example, when data in NAS11 is corrupted, the control device 30 controls NAS11 and cloud storage 20 to transmit the data stored as backup data in storage 21 from cloud storage 20 to NAS11 via network 90, and stores the data in NAS11, thereby restoring the data in NAS11.

[0022] The control device 30 holds NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32. For example, the control device 30 stores the NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32 in a memory of the control device 30 (for example, memory 302 shown in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the control device 30 may be capable of communicating with an external device that stores the NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32, for example, via a communication interface 303 shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] The NAS management information 31 is information that indicates the owner of each NAS that is managed by the control device 30. The NAS that is managed by the control device 30 are NAS that the control device 30 can access to control the above-mentioned backup and restoration, and include NAS11 to 13 (n1 to n3) in the example of Fig. 1. The NAS management information 31 indicates, for example, that the owner of NAS11 and 12 (n1, n2) is corporate company A, and the owner of NAS13 (n3) is corporate company B.

[0024] The NAS management information 31 also includes information indicating the administrator (first administrator) of each NAS managed by the control device 30. The administrator of a NAS is the person who has the authority to issue instructions for backup and restoration using that NAS as the backup source. For example, NAS owned by corporate company A can be classified into the following types (a) and (b).

[0025] (a) A NAS that is purchased or rented and used by Corporate Company A, and over which only Corporate Company A has the authority to give instructions. (b) A NAS that is purchased or rented and used by corporate company A, and is managed by corporate company A and maintenance management company X.

[0026] In the example of Figure 1, NAS management information 31 indicates that the managers of NAS11, 12 (n1, n2) are corporate company A and maintenance management company X (AX), respectively, and that the managers of NAS13 (n3) are corporate company B and maintenance management company X.

[0027] Furthermore, the NAS management information 31 may include information indicating whether the control device 30 can perform the above-mentioned backup and the like for each NAS that is managed by the control device 30. Whether the control device 30 can perform operations for a NAS is set for the control device 30 by, for example, the owner of the NAS or the maintenance manager of the NAS (maintenance management company X). In the example of Fig. 1, the NAS management information 31 indicates that operations by the control device 30 are possible for NAS 11 to 13.

[0028] The storage management information 32 is information that indicates the owner of each storage device that is managed by the control device 30. The storage devices that are managed by the control device 30 are storage devices that the control device 30 can access to control the backup and restoration described above, and include storage devices 21 and 22 (s1 and s2) in the example of Fig. 1. For example, the storage management information 32 indicates that the owner of storage device 21 (s1) is corporate company A, and the owner of storage device 22 (s2) is corporate company B.

[0029] The storage management information 32 also includes information indicating the administrator (second administrator) of each storage device managed by the control device 30. The administrator of a storage device is a person who has the authority to issue instructions for backup or restoration using that storage device as the backup destination. For example, storage devices owned by a corporate company A include the following types (1) to (4).

[0030] (1) Storage allocated to corporate company A by corporate company A entering into a contract with the operator of cloud storage 20, over which only corporate company A has the right to give instructions. (2) Storage allocated to corporate company A by the corporate company A entering into a contract with the operator of cloud storage 20, and managed by corporate company A and maintenance management company X. (3) Storage allocated to maintenance management company X by the maintenance management company X entering into a contract with the operator of cloud storage 20, and further allocated by maintenance management company X to corporate company A, over which only maintenance management company X has the authority to give instructions. (4) Storage allocated to maintenance management company X by the maintenance management company X entering into a contract with the operator of cloud storage 20, and further allocated by maintenance management company X to corporate company A, with corporate company A and maintenance management company X as administrators.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 1, the storage management information 32 indicates that the managers of storage 21 (s1) are corporate company A and maintenance management company X, and the managers of storage 22 (s3) are corporate company B and maintenance management company X.

[0032] The NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32 are examples of owner information indicating the first owner of the storage device (NAS) and the second owner of the backup storage, and administrator information indicating the first administrator of the storage device and the second administrator of the backup storage. However, the owner information and administrator information are not limited to the format shown in Figure 1 and can be information in various formats.

[0033] For example, the owner information and administrator information may be information indicating what attributes each company has for each NAS or storage device (whether they own the device, whether the device is shared, whether they are the end user of the device, whether they are the maintenance manager for the device, etc.), and the control device 30 may determine the owner or administrator of each NAS or storage device using such information in a predetermined procedure.

[0034] The maintenance management terminal 40 is an information terminal used in-house by the maintenance management company X. Under contracts with the corporate companies A and B, the maintenance management company X performs maintenance management of the NAS 11 and 12 used by the corporate company A and the NAS 13 used by the corporate company B. The maintenance management of the NAS includes the execution of the above-mentioned backup and restoration using the control device 30.

[0035] For example, an operator of the maintenance management terminal 40 (an employee of maintenance management company X) operates the maintenance management terminal 40 to instruct the control device 30 on the NAS from which the backup is to be made, the storage to which the backup is to be made, and the process to be performed between backup and restoration, thereby causing the control device 30 to carry out the control of the above backup and restoration.

[0036] <Hardware configuration of the control device 30> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 30. A case will be described in which the control device 30 shown in Fig. 1 is configured as a physical information processing device 300. The information processing device 300 includes a processor 301, a memory 302, and a communication interface 303. The processor 301, the memory 302, and the communication interface 303 are connected by, for example, a bus 309.

[0037] The processor 301 is a circuit that performs signal processing, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire control device 30. The processor 301 may be realized by other digital circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processor 301 may also be realized by combining a plurality of digital circuits.

[0038] The memory 302 includes, for example, a main memory and an auxiliary memory. The main memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The main memory is used as a work area for the processor 301.

[0039] The auxiliary memory is a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a flash memory. The auxiliary memory stores various programs that operate the control device 30. The programs stored in the auxiliary memory are loaded into the main memory and executed by the processor 301.

[0040] The auxiliary memory may also include a portable memory that is removable from the control device 30. Portable memories include memory cards such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive or an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, and external hard disk drives. The NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32 shown in FIG. 1 are stored in the auxiliary memory of the memory 302, for example.

[0041] The communication interface 303 is a communication interface for communicating with the outside of the control device 30 (for example, the NAS 11 to 13, the cloud storage 20, and the maintenance management terminal 40). The communication interface 303 is controlled by the processor 301.

[0042] However, the control device 30 is not limited to the physical information processing device 300 shown in Fig. 2, but may be a virtual information processing device realized in a cloud computing service. In this case, the control device 30 executes various processes using resources allocated to the control device 30 from among resources of the cloud computing service, such as a processor, memory, and communication internet.

[0043] <Hardware configuration of the maintenance management terminal 40> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the maintenance management terminal 40. The maintenance management terminal 40 shown in Fig. 1 can be realized by, for example, an information processing device 400 shown in Fig. 3. The information processing device 400 includes a processor 401, a memory 402, a user interface 403, and a communication interface 404. The processor 401, the memory 402, the user interface 403, and the communication interface 404 are connected by, for example, a bus 409.

[0044] The processor 401 is a circuit that performs signal processing, and is, for example, a CPU that controls the entire information processing device 400. The processor 401 may be realized by other digital circuits such as an FPGA or a DSP. The processor 401 may also be realized by combining multiple digital circuits.

[0045] The memory 402 includes, for example, a main memory and an auxiliary memory. The main memory is, for example, a RAM. The main memory is used as a work area for the processor 401. The auxiliary memory is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a flash memory. The auxiliary memory stores various programs that operate the information processing device 400. The programs stored in the auxiliary memory are loaded into the main memory and executed by the processor 401. The auxiliary memory may include a portable memory that is removable from the information processing device 400. Examples of portable memory include a memory card such as a USB flash drive or an SD memory card, and an external hard disk drive.

[0046] The user interface 403 includes, for example, an input device that accepts operation input from the user and an output device that outputs information to the user. The input device can be realized by, for example, a pointing device (for example, a mouse), keys (for example, a keyboard), or a remote control. The output device can be realized by, for example, a display or a speaker. The input device and the output device may also be realized by a touch panel or the like. The user interface 403 is controlled by the processor 401.

[0047] The communication interface 404 is a communication interface for communicating with an external device (for example, the control device 30) of the information processing device 400. The communication interface 404 is controlled by the processor 401.

[0048] <Backup operation on backup system 1> Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a backup operation in the backup system 1. In the backup system 1 shown in Fig. 1, for example, the operation shown in Fig. 4 is executed as the backup operation.

[0049] First, the maintenance management terminal 40 of the maintenance management company X accepts a start operation for processing related to backup (step S401). For example, the maintenance management terminal 40 accepts the start operation from the operator of the maintenance management terminal 40 via the user interface 403 shown in FIG.

[0050] Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 transmits the ID (identification information) of the maintenance management company X to the control device 30 (step S402). The ID of the maintenance management company X is stored in the memory 402 of the maintenance management terminal 40 in advance.

[0051] Next, the control device 30 extracts storage managed by the maintenance management company X from the storages managed by the control device 30 based on the ID of the maintenance management company X and the storage management information 32 transmitted in step S402 (step S403). The storages managed by the control device 30 are storages included in the storage management information 32. The storages managed by the maintenance management company X are storages whose managers are included in the storage management information 32.

[0052] Next, the control device 30 transmits the list information of the storages extracted in step S403 to the maintenance management terminal 40 (step S404). Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 receives a selection of a backup destination storage from the storages indicated by the list information transmitted in step S404 (step S405).

[0053] Furthermore, the maintenance management terminal 40 accepts a selection of the process to be executed from backup and restoration (step S406). In steps S404 and S405, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays options to the operator of the maintenance management terminal 40 using the user interface 403 shown in Fig. 3, and accepts a selection operation from the operator of the maintenance management terminal 40.

[0054] Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 transmits to the control device 30 the ID of the storage selected in step S405 and information indicating the process selected in step S406 from backup and restoration (step S407).

[0055] Next, the control device 30 extracts (step S408) from the NASes managed by the maintenance management company X those whose owners are the same as the storage indicated by the ID sent in step S407, based on the NAS management information 31 and the storage management information 32. A NAS managed by the maintenance management company X is a NAS whose managers are included in the NAS management information 31 and include the maintenance management company X.

[0056] Next, the control device 30 extracts NASs for which the possibility of performing backup, etc. is set to "yes" from the NASs extracted in step S408 based on the NAS management information 31 (step S409). Next, the control device 30 transmits list information of the NASs extracted in step S409 to the maintenance management terminal 40 (step S410).

[0057] Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 accepts the selection of a backup source NAS from among the NASs indicated by the list information transmitted in step S410 (step S411). For example, the maintenance management terminal 40 uses the user interface 403 shown in Fig. 3 to display options to the operator of the maintenance management terminal 40 and accepts a selection operation from the operator of the maintenance management terminal 40. Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 transmits the ID of the NAS selected in step S411 to the control device 30 (step S412).

[0058] Next, the control device 30 transmits a control signal instructing backup or restoration based on the information received from the maintenance management terminal 40 in steps S407 and S412 (step S413). Specifically, the control device 30 transmits a control signal for executing the process indicated by the information transmitted in step S407, either backup or restoration, with the storage indicated by the ID transmitted in step S407 as the backup destination and the NAS indicated by the ID transmitted in step S412 as the backup source.

[0059] 4, it is assumed that the storage 21 is selected as the backup destination in step S405, backup is selected as the process in step S406, and NAS11(n1) is selected as the backup source in step S411. In this case, the control device 30 transmits a control signal to the NAS 11 and the cloud storage 20 to instruct backup with the storage 21 as the backup destination and the NAS 11 as the backup source.

[0060] Next, the NAS 11 reads out the data to be backed up from the data stored in the storage medium of the NAS 11 (step S414). The data to be backed up may be all the data stored in the storage medium of the NAS 11, or may be data stored in the storage medium of the NAS 11 that has been set by the user of the NAS 11.

[0061] Next, the NAS 11 transmits the data read in step S414 to the cloud storage 20 (step S415). Next, the cloud storage 20 saves the data transmitted in step S415 in the storage 21 (s1) owned by the corporate company A (step S416). As a result, the storage medium of the NAS 11 is backed up to the storage 21.

[0062] 4, an example has been described in which step S406, which accepts the selection of the process to be executed, either backup or restoration, is executed immediately after step S405, which accepts the selection of the backup destination, but the execution timing of the process to accept the selection of the process to be executed, either backup or restoration, is not limited to this. For example, step S406, which accepts the selection of the process to be executed, either backup or restoration, may be executed immediately before step S405, immediately after step S401, or immediately before or immediately after step S411.

[0063] <Screen transition of the maintenance management terminal 40 during the backup operation shown in FIG. 4> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions on the maintenance management terminal 40 during the backup operation shown in FIG.

[0064] 4, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays, for example, an operation screen 403a using the user interface 403. The operation screen 403a includes a "Start backup / restore" button for starting backup or restore, and the maintenance management terminal 40 accepts an instruction operation (click operation or touch operation) on the "Start backup / restore" button as the start operation of step S401.

[0065] In step S405 shown in Fig. 4, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays an operation screen 403b, for example, on the user interface 403. The operation screen 403b includes a message prompting the user to select a backup destination storage and buttons for selecting the backup destination storage. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the storages managed by the maintenance management company X are storages 21 and 22 (s1, s2), so the operation screen 403b includes an "s1" button for selecting storage 21 and an "s2" button for selecting storage 22. In this example, it is assumed that the "s1" button for selecting storage 21 is selected.

[0066] 4, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays, for example, an operation screen 403c on the user interface 403. The operation screen 403c includes a message prompting the user to select a process to be executed, a "Backup" button for selecting backup, and a "Restore" button for selecting restore. In this example, it is assumed that the "Backup" button for selecting backup is selected.

[0067] In step S411 shown in FIG. 4, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays, for example, an operation screen 403d using the user interface 403. The operation screen 403d includes a message prompting the user to select a backup source NAS and buttons for selecting the backup source NAS. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the maintenance management company X is the administrator, and the NASes that have the same owner as the storage 21 selected on the operation screen 403b are NAS11 and 12 (n1, n2), so the operation screen 403d includes an "n1" button for selecting NAS11 and an "n2" button for selecting NAS12. In this example, it is assumed that the "n1" button for selecting NAS11 is selected.

[0068] 4, a backup is executed with the storage 21 as the backup destination and the NAS 11 as the backup source. After that, the results of the backup are sent to the maintenance management terminal 40, and the maintenance management terminal 40 may display a message indicating that the backup has been executed.

[0069] In this way, NAS11 and 12, which have the same owner (corporate company A) as the storage 21 selected by the operator (maintenance management company X), are presented as backup source options, and NAS13, which has a different owner than storage 21, is not presented as a backup source option even if the operator is an administrator, thereby preventing operational errors in instructing storage 21 of corporate company A to back up data from NAS13 of corporate company B.

[0070] <Restoration operation on backup system 1> Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a restoration operation in the backup system 1. In the backup system 1, for example, the operation shown in Fig. 6 is executed as a restoration operation. In this example, it is assumed that the backup data of the NAS 11 has been saved in the storage 21 by the backup operation shown in Fig. 4, for example.

[0071] Steps S601 to S612 shown in Fig. 6 are the same as steps S401 to S412 shown in Fig. 4. In the example of Fig. 6, it is assumed that storage 21 is selected as the backup destination in step S605, restoration is selected as the process in step S606, and NAS 11 is selected as the backup source in step S611. In this case, after step S612, the control device 30 transmits a control signal to NAS 11 and cloud storage 20 to instruct restoration with storage 21 as the backup destination and NAS 11 as the backup source (step S613).

[0072] Next, cloud storage 20 reads the data in storage 21 that has been saved as backup data for NAS 11 (step S614). Next, cloud storage 20 transmits the data read in step S614 to NAS 11 (step S615). Next, NAS 11 stores the data transmitted in step S615 in the storage medium of NAS 11 (step S616). As a result, the data of NAS 11 that was backed up in storage 21 of cloud storage 20 is restored to NAS 11.

[0073] The screen transitions of the maintenance management terminal 40 in the restoration operation shown in Fig. 6 are the same as the screen transitions of the maintenance management terminal 40 shown in Fig. 5. However, in step S606, a "Restore" button for selecting restoration is designated on the operation screen 403c.

[0074] In this way, NAS11 and 12, which have the same owner (corporate company A) as the storage 21 selected by the operator (maintenance management company X), are presented as backup source options, and NAS13, which has a different owner than storage 21, is not presented as a backup source option even if the operator is an administrator, thereby reducing operational errors in instructing NAS13 of corporate company B to restore backup data from storage 21 of corporate company A.

[0075] <Another example of backup operation in backup system 1> Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the backup operation in the backup system 1. In the backup system 1, the operation shown in Fig. 7 may be executed as the backup operation, for example.

[0076] Steps S701 and S702 shown in Fig. 7 are the same as steps S401 and S402 shown in Fig. 4. After step S702, the control device 30 extracts NAS managed by the maintenance management company X from among the NAS managed by the control device 30, based on the ID of the maintenance management company X and the NAS management information 31 transmitted in step S702 (step S703). The NAS managed by the control device 30 is a NAS included in the NAS management information 31. The NAS managed by the maintenance management company X is a NAS whose manager is the maintenance management company X, as listed in the NAS management information 31.

[0077] Next, the control device 30 extracts NASs for which the possibility of performing backup, etc. is set to "yes" from the NASs extracted in step S703 based on the NAS management information 31 (step S704). Next, the control device 30 transmits list information of the NASs extracted in step S704 to the maintenance management terminal 40 (step S705).

[0078] Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 accepts the selection of the backup source NAS from among the NASs indicated by the list information transmitted in step S705 (step S706). The maintenance management terminal 40 also accepts the selection of the process to be executed, either backup or restoration (step S707).

[0079] Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 transmits the ID of the NAS selected in step S706 and information indicating the process selected in step S707 from backup and restoration to the control device 30 (step S708).

[0080] Next, the control device 30 extracts, from the storages managed by the control device 30, storages whose owners are the same as the NAS indicated by the ID transmitted in step S708 (step S709). Next, the control device 30 transmits list information of the storages extracted in step S709 to the maintenance management terminal 40 (step S710).

[0081] Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 accepts the selection of a backup destination storage from the storages indicated by the list information transmitted in step S710 (step S711). Next, the maintenance management terminal 40 transmits the ID of the storage selected in step S711 to the control device 30 (step S712).

[0082] Steps S713 to S716 are the same as steps S413 to S416 shown in Fig. 4. However, in step S713, the control device 30 sets the NAS indicated by the ID transmitted in step S708 as the backup source and the storage indicated by the ID transmitted in step S712 as the backup destination, and transmits a control signal for executing the process indicated by the information transmitted in step S708, either backup or restoration.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 7, when backing up data, the selection of the backup source NAS may be accepted first, and then the selection of the backup destination storage may be accepted. Also, although not shown, when restoring data as shown in Fig. 6, the selection of the backup source NAS may be accepted first, and then the selection of the backup destination storage may be accepted.

[0084] <Screen transition of the maintenance management terminal 40 during the backup operation shown in FIG. 7> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions on the maintenance management terminal 40 during the backup operation shown in FIG.

[0085] 7, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays, for example, an operation screen 403A on the user interface 403. The operation screen 403A is similar to the operation screen 403a shown in FIG.

[0086] 7, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays an operation screen 403B, for example, on the user interface 403. The operation screen 403B includes a message prompting the user to select a backup source NAS and buttons for selecting the backup source NAS. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the NASs managed by the maintenance management company X are NAS11 to 13 (n1 to n3), so the operation screen 403B includes an "n1" button for selecting NAS11, an "n2" button for selecting NAS12, and an "n3" button for selecting NAS13. In this example, it is assumed that the "n1" button for selecting NAS11 is selected.

[0087] 7, the maintenance management terminal 40 displays, for example, an operation screen 403C on the user interface 403. The operation screen 403C is similar to the operation screen 403c shown in FIG.

[0088] 7, the maintenance and management terminal 40 displays the operation screen 403D, for example, on the user interface 403. The operation screen 403D includes a message prompting the user to select a backup destination storage and buttons for selecting the backup destination storage. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the maintenance and management company X is the administrator, and the NAS with the same owner as the NAS 11 selected on the operation screen 403B is storage 21 (s1), so the operation screen 403D includes an "s1" button for selecting storage 21. In this example, it is assumed that the "s1" button for selecting storage 21 is specified.

[0089] 7, a backup is executed with the storage 21 as the backup destination and the NAS 11 as the backup source. After that, the results of the backup are sent to the maintenance management terminal 40, and the maintenance management terminal 40 may display a message indicating that the backup has been executed.

[0090] In this way, storage 21 that has the same owner (corporate company A) as the NAS11 selected by the operator (maintenance management company X) is presented as a backup destination option, and storage 22 that has a different owner from NAS11 is not presented as a backup destination option even if the operator is an administrator, thereby reducing operational errors that instruct storage 22 of corporate company B to back up data from NAS11 of corporate company A.

[0091] <Another example of backup system 1> 9 is a diagram showing another example of the backup system 1. The backup system 1 may include a maintenance management terminal 50 in addition to or instead of the maintenance management terminal 40. The maintenance management terminal 50 is connected to a network 90 in the same manner as the other components of the backup system 1.

[0092] The maintenance management terminal 50 is an information terminal used in-house by corporate company A, and performs maintenance management of the NAS 11, 12 used by corporate company A. For example, an operator of the maintenance management terminal 50 (e.g., an employee of corporate company A) operates the maintenance management terminal 50 to instruct the control device 30 on the NAS from which the backup is to be made, the storage to which the backup is to be made, and the process to be executed between backup and restoration, thereby causing the control device 30 to execute the control of the above backup and restoration.

[0093] <Backup operation on backup system 1 by operation from corporate company A> Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a backup operation in the backup system 1 in response to an operation from the corporate company A. In the backup system 1 shown in Fig. 9, the operation shown in Fig. 10, for example, is executed as the backup operation.

[0094] Steps S1001 to S1016 shown in Fig. 10 are the same as steps S401 to S416 shown in Fig. 4, except that the processing subject is replaced by the maintenance management terminal 50 instead of the maintenance management terminal 40. However, in step S1002, the maintenance management terminal 50 transmits the ID (identification information) of corporate company A to the control device 30 (step S1002).

[0095] Also, in step S1003, the control device 30 extracts storage managed by corporate company A from among the storages managed by the control device 30 based on the ID of maintenance management company X and storage management information 32 sent in step S1002 (step S1003).

[0096] Also, in step S1008, based on the NAS management information 31 and the storage management information 32, the control device 30 extracts, from the NASs managed by corporate company A, NASs whose owner is the same as the storage indicated by the ID sent in step S1007 (step S1008).

[0097] The screen transitions of the maintenance management terminal 50 during the backup operation shown in FIG. 10 are the same as the screen transitions of the maintenance management terminal 40 shown in FIG.

[0098] In the configuration shown in Figure 9, the restoration operation may be performed as shown in Figure 6 based on instructions from the maintenance management terminal 50, or as shown in Figure 7, the selection of the NAS as the backup source may be accepted first, and then the selection of the storage to which the backup will be made may be accepted.

[0099] As explained in Figures 9 and 10, instructions to back up and restore the control device 30 may be given not only from the maintenance management terminal 40 of maintenance management company X, but also from the maintenance management terminal 50 of corporate company A, which is the owner of the NAS to be backed up.

[0100] In this way, the control device 30 holds owner information (NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32) indicating the first owner of the storage device (NAS11-13) and the second owner of the backup storage (storage 21, 22), and when the first owner and second owner match, controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device via the network 90.

[0101] This prevents an operator from accidentally backing up or restoring data between a storage device and a backup storage device that do not match in ownership due to an operational error by the operator, thereby improving the safety of backup and restoration.

[0102] 4 to 6, the control device 30 allows an operator (e.g., an operator of the maintenance management terminal 40) to select a backup storage by transmitting list information of selectable storages to the maintenance management terminal 40 (or the maintenance management terminal 50), extracts storage devices having a first owner that matches the second owner of the selected backup storage, and controls the operator to select a storage device based on the extraction results. Specifically, the control device 30 controls to prevent the operator from selecting a storage device that was not extracted.

[0103] For example, as a control to prevent the operator from selecting a storage device that was not extracted, the control device 30 sends list information of only the extracted storage devices to the maintenance management terminal 40, and then presents only the extracted storage devices as options to the operator from the maintenance management terminal 40.

[0104] However, the control for preventing the operator from selecting the non-extracted storage devices is not limited to this. For example, the control device 30 may perform control to present the non-extracted storage devices to the operator from the maintenance management terminal 40, while presenting the non-extracted storage devices in a different manner from the extracted storage devices, such as by dimming their display or displaying them with an indication that they cannot be selected.

[0105] Alternatively, the control device 30 may present the storage devices, including those that were not extracted, to the operator from the maintenance management terminal 40, while controlling the storage devices that were not extracted so that they cannot be selected even if the operator performs a selection operation. Alternatively, the control device 30 may present the storage devices, including those that were not extracted, to the operator from the maintenance management terminal 40, while causing the maintenance management terminal 40 to display warning information including a message that the owners do not match, etc., to the operator when a selection operation is performed on a storage device that was not extracted, and may further control the control device to accept an operation from the operator to cancel the selection operation.

[0106] 7 and 8, the control device 30 may perform control to have the operator select a storage device by transmitting list information of selectable storage devices to the maintenance management terminal 40 (or the maintenance management terminal 50), extract backup storage devices having a second owner that matches the first owner of the selected storage device, and have the operator select a backup storage device based on the extraction result. Specifically, the control device 30 performs control to prevent the operator from selecting a backup storage device that was not extracted.

[0107] For example, as a control to prevent the operator from selecting a backup storage that was not extracted, the control device 30 transmits list information of only the extracted backup storage to the maintenance management terminal 40, thereby presenting only the extracted backup storage as options to the operator from the maintenance management terminal 40. However, the control to prevent the operator from selecting a backup storage that was not extracted is not limited to this, and similar to the above control to prevent the operator from selecting a storage device that was not extracted, it may be control to present a storage device that was not extracted in a different form from the extracted backup storage, to make a storage device that was not extracted unselectable, to make a selection operation of a storage device that was not extracted unselectable even if an operation to select a storage device that was not extracted is performed, or to display warning information when an operation to select a storage device that was not extracted is performed.

[0108] The control device 30 may also have administrator information (NAS management information 31 and storage management information 32) that indicates a first administrator of the storage devices and a second administrator of the backup storage. The control device 30 then controls the operator to select a storage device for which at least one of backup and restoration is to be performed from among the storage devices for which the operator is the first administrator, and to select a backup storage device for which backup and restoration is to be performed from among the backup storage devices for which the operator is the second administrator. This prevents the operator from selecting, as a target for backup or restoration, a storage device or backup storage device for which the operator does not have the authority to issue instructions for backup or restoration.

[0109] The control device 30 may also hold executable information (NAS management information 31, storage management information 32) set by the first owner of the storage device (for example, corporate companies A and B) indicating whether backup or restoration can be performed for that storage device. Based on the executable information, the control device 30 then executes control to prevent the operator from selecting a storage device for which backup or restoration is set as not executable.

[0110] For example, as a control to prevent the operator from selecting a storage device for which execution has been selected as infeasible, the control device 30 transmits list information of only the storage devices for which execution has been selected to the maintenance management terminal 40, thereby presenting only the storage devices for which execution has been set as infeasible to the operator from the maintenance management terminal 40 as options. However, the control to prevent the operator from selecting a storage device for which execution has been selected as infeasible is not limited to this, and may also be control to present storage devices for which execution has been set as infeasible in a different manner from storage devices for which execution has been set as infeasible, to make storage devices for which execution has been set as infeasible unselectable, to make it impossible to select a storage device for which execution has been set as infeasible even if an operation to select the storage device is attempted, or to display warning information when an operation to select a storage device for which execution has been set as infeasible is attempted.

[0111] (About the program) The programs stored in the ROM of the memory 302 of the control device 30 are stored in a non-transitory storage medium that can be read by a computer. Such a "computer-readable storage medium" is, for example, an optical medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), or a magnetic storage medium such as a USB memory or a memory card. Such programs can also be provided by downloading via a network.

[0112] (Control method) The above control method by the control device 30 may be executed by the information processing device 300 shown in FIG. 2, or may be executed by a virtual information processing device realized in a cloud computing service.

[0113] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0114] The disclosed control method is a control method for controlling at least one of backup and restoration of data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, which holds owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, and when the first owner and second owner match, controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device.

[0115] The disclosed control method allows an operator to select a backup storage, extracts storage devices that have a first owner that matches the second owner of the selected backup storage, and controls the operator to select a storage device based on the extraction results.

[0116] The disclosed control method performs control to prevent the operator from selecting a storage device that has not been extracted.

[0117] The disclosed control method performs control such that only the extracted storage devices are output to the operator as options.

[0118] The disclosed control method allows an operator to select the storage device, extracts backup storage that has a second owner that matches the first owner of the selected storage device, and controls the operator to select a backup storage based on the extraction results.

[0119] The disclosed control method performs control to prevent the operator from selecting a backup storage device that has not been extracted.

[0120] The disclosed control method performs control such that only the extracted backup storage devices are output to the operator as options.

[0121] The disclosed control method holds administrator information indicating a first administrator of a storage device and a second administrator of a backup storage device, and controls the operator to select a storage device that will perform at least one of the backup and restoration from among the storage devices for which the operator is the first administrator, and to select a backup storage device that will perform at least one of the backup and restoration from among the backup storages for which the operator is the second administrator.

[0122] The disclosed control method holds feasibility information set by the first owner of a storage device, which indicates whether or not at least one of the backup and restoration functions can be performed for that storage device, and, based on the feasibility information, performs control to prevent an operator from selecting a storage device for which at least one of the backup and restoration functions has been set as not being able to be performed.

[0123] In the disclosed control method, the operator is a person different from the owner of the storage device.

[0124] The disclosed backup system includes a storage device, a backup storage, and a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between the storage device and the backup storage, the control device holding owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, and when the first owner and second owner match, controlling so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device.

[0125] The disclosed control program is a control program for a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, and causes the control device to hold owner information indicating the first owner of the storage device and the second owner of the backup storage, and, if the first owner and the second owner match, execute a process that controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device.

[0126] The disclosed control device is a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, and is equipped with a storage unit that holds owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, and a control that controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the backup storage and the storage device when the first owner and second owner match. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1. Backup System 11~13 NAS 20. Cloud Storage 21,22 Storage 30 Control device 31 NAS management information 32 Storage Management Information 40,50 Maintenance management terminal 90 Network 300,400 Information processing equipment 301,401 processors 302,402 memory 303,404 Communication Interface 309,409 buses 403 User Interface 403a~403d,403A~403D Operation screen

Claims

1. 1. A control method for controlling at least one of backup and restoration of data between a storage device and a backup storage device via a network, comprising: maintaining owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; Let the operator select the backup storage, extracting storage devices having a first owner that matches the second owner of the selected backup storage, and performing control to allow an operator to select a storage device based on the extraction result; Controlling backup and / or restoration between the selected backup storage and the storage device; Control method.

2. A control method according to claim 1, performing control to prevent the operator from selecting storage devices that have not been extracted; Control method.

3. The control method according to claim 2, Control is performed to output only the extracted storage devices as options to the operator. Control method.

4. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, holding execution permission information set by a first owner of the storage device, which indicates whether at least one of the backup and restoration can be performed for the storage device; and executing control to prevent an operator from selecting a storage device for which at least one of the backup and restoration operations is set to be unexecutable based on the execution permission information. Control method.

5. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The operator is a person different from the owner of the storage device. Control method.

6. A control method for controlling at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, comprising: maintaining owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; having an operator select the storage device; extracting backup storages having a second owner that matches the first owner of the selected storage device, and performing control to allow an operator to select a backup storage based on the extraction result; Controlling backup and / or restoration between the selected backup storage and the storage device; Control method.

7. The control method according to claim 6, Control is performed to prevent the operator from selecting backup storage that has not been extracted. Control method.

8. The control method according to claim 7, Control is performed to output only the extracted backup storage as options to the operator. Control method.

9. A control method for controlling at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage device, comprising: maintaining owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; The system holds administrator information indicating a first administrator of the storage device and a second administrator of the backup storage device, performing control to have the operator select a storage device for performing at least one of the backup and restoration from among storage devices for which the operator is a first administrator, and to have the operator select a backup storage device for performing at least one of the backup and restoration from among backup storages for which the operator is a second administrator; Controlling backup and / or restoration between the selected backup storage and the storage device; Control method.

10. A storage device; Backup storage and a control device that controls at least one of backup and restoration of data via a network between the storage device and the backup storage, the control device holding owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, allowing an operator to select a backup storage, extracting storage devices having a first owner that matches the second owner of the selected backup storage, and performing control to allow the operator to select a storage device based on the extraction result, and performing control so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the selected backup storage and the storage device; Backup system including.

11. A storage device; Backup storage and a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between the storage device and the backup storage, the control device holding owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, allowing an operator to select the storage device, extracting backup storages having a second owner that matches the first owner of the selected storage device, and performing control to allow the operator to select a backup storage based on the extraction result, and performing control so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the selected backup storage and the storage device; Backup system including.

12. A storage device; Backup storage and a control device that controls at least one of backup and restoration of data via a network between the storage device and the backup storage, the control device holding owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, holding administrator information indicating a first administrator of the storage device and a second administrator of the backup storage, and controlling the operator to select a storage device that will perform at least one of the backup and restoration from among storage devices for which the operator is the first administrator, and to select a backup storage that will perform at least one of the backup and restoration from among backup storages for which the operator is the second administrator, so that at least one of the backup and restoration can be performed between the selected backup storage and the storage device; Backup system including.

13. A control program for a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, comprising: The control device maintaining owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; Let the operator select the backup storage, extracting storage devices having a first owner that matches the second owner of the selected backup storage, and performing control to allow an operator to select a storage device based on the extraction result; Controlling backup and / or restoration between the selected backup storage and the storage device; A control program for executing processing.

14. A control program for a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, comprising: The control device maintaining owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; having an operator select the storage device; extracting backup storages having a second owner that matches the first owner of the selected storage device, and performing control to allow an operator to select a backup storage based on the extraction result; Controlling backup and / or restoration between the selected backup storage and the storage device; A control program for executing processing.

15. A control program for a control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, comprising: The control device maintaining owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; The system holds administrator information indicating a first administrator of the storage device and a second administrator of the backup storage device, The control unit causes an operator to select a storage device for performing at least one of the backup and restoration from among storage devices for which the operator is a first administrator, and controls the operator to select a backup storage device for performing at least one of the backup and restoration from among backup storage devices for which the operator is a second administrator, so that at least one of the backup and restoration can be performed between the selected backup storage device and the storage device. A control program for executing processing.

16. A control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage, comprising: a holder for holding owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; Let the operator select the backup storage, a control unit that extracts storage devices having a first owner that matches the second owner of the selected backup storage, and controls the operator to select a storage device based on the extraction result, and controls the operation so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the selected backup storage and the storage device; A control device comprising:

17. A control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage device, comprising: a holder for holding owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage; a control unit that allows an operator to select the storage device, extracts backup storages having a second owner that matches the first owner of the selected storage device, and controls the operator to select a backup storage based on the extraction result, and controls so that at least one of backup and restoration can be performed between the selected backup storage and the storage device; A control device comprising:

18. A control device that controls at least one of backing up and restoring data via a network between a storage device and a backup storage device, comprising: a storage unit that stores owner information indicating a first owner of the storage device and a second owner of the backup storage, and that stores administrator information indicating a first administrator of the storage device and a second administrator of the backup storage; a control unit that controls the operator to select a storage device for performing at least one of the backup and restoration from among storage devices for which the operator is a first administrator, and to select a backup storage device for performing at least one of the backup and restoration from among backup storage devices for which the operator is a second administrator, and controls so that at least one of the backup and restoration can be performed between the selected backup storage and the storage device; A control device comprising:

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