The present invention allows a pair to be formed between a plurality of discrete volumes and the progress thereof to be managed by means of a remote operation from a management server. Management server 10 instructs respective host computers 20, 30 to generate configuration files 23, 33. Next, management server 10 instructs host computers 20, 30 to start up HORCM (Hitachi Remote Copy Module) instances 24, 34. The generation of the configuration files and the startup of the HORCM instances can be separated. In one mode, configuration files are generated and the HORCM instances are started up, while, in another mode, only configuration files are generated. In yet another mode, the HORCM instances are started up when predetermined conditions are fulfilled. A more flexible operation can thus be performed.