Two data centers located in the vicinity are connected using a synchronous
transfer copy function, and one of the data centers is coupled with a
third data center disposed at a remote location by an asynchronous remote
copying function. The order whereat a storage sub-system located in the
vicinity has received data from a host is consistently guaranteed, and
the third data center holds the data. Further, each storage sub-system
includes a function whereby, during normal operation, data can be
exchanged and the data update state can be obtained by the storage
sub-systems located in the two data centers that do not directly engage
in data transmission.