A pre-fetch server, which is connected to a DB server running a DBMS and to a storage apparatus storing DB data, stores information required for judging whether or not a pre-fetch is effective. Judgment on whether or not the pre-fetch will be effective is performed when a pre-fetch I/O is issued. If the pre-fetch server judges that the pre-fetch will be effective, it issues the pre-fetch I/O to the storage apparatus.