A method of managing data by a storage system having first and second
volumes according to a command from a server computer, including
receiving a data access command from the server computer; specifying a
data area that is designated in the data access command and reading data
in the data area from the first volume; judging whether the data access
command contains a data evacuating instruction; judging whether the data
in the data area has been evacuated to the second volume when the data
read command contains the data evacuating instruction; evacuating the
data in the data area to the second volume when the data in the data area
has not been evacuated to the second volume; and sending the data in the
data area to the server computer. The invention reduces loads on the
storage system when a differential snapshot is used.