Disclosed is a system, method, and program for transferring data. Whether
data is being transferred to physical volumes in peak mode is identified. If the
data is being transferred in peak mode, whether a large chain of data is available
for transfer to physical volumes is determined. If the large chain of data is not
available, whether a small chain of data is available for transfer to physical
volumes is determined. If the small chain of data is available, the small chain
of data is transferred to physical volumes. Additionally, if one or more files
that have ages greater than a steady state age threshold are available, the one
or more files are transferred to the one or more physical volumes. If one or more
files that have ages greater than a peak age threshold are available, the one or
more files are transferred to the one or more physical volumes.