An information processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor configured to obtain information on a relation between virtual volumes used by a virtual machine and physical volumes provided in a storage apparatus from a management machine configured to manage allocations of the virtual volumes to the physical volumes; store the obtained information into a management information stored in the memory; and in response to receiving a copy request, obtain information on a first physical volume allocated to the first virtual volume designated as a copy participant in the copy request from the management information when the information on the first virtual volume is present in the management information, and send the storage apparatus a copy instruction designating the first physical volume as a copy participant. Obtain the information on the relation is performed when the information on the first virtual volume is not present in the management information.