A method for archiving data from a first disk-based storage device to a
second disk-based storage device includes moving an emulated tape from a
first element to a second element simulatively without actually moving
data associated with the emulated tape. The data associated with the
emulated tape is transmitted from the first disk-based storage device to
the second disk-based storage device via a communication link. The data
associated with the emulated tape is removed from the first disk-based
storage device.