A system for performing efficient backup in an environment where a
plurality of file servers exist, making the plurality of file servers
externally look like a single apparatus. The present invention provides a
computer system comprising hosts, first and second file servers connected
to the hosts, and a storage system connected to the first and second file
servers. The second file server determines that a file as a backup object
is managed by the first file server, and notifies the first file server
of an instruction of backup. In response to this instruction, the first
server sends the second file server an identifier of a storage device
that stores duplicate data of the file in question. Based on the received
identifier, the second file server sets a path to that storage device,
and obtains the backup data from that storage device.