Can't get SVM metaimport to work...

Question

I'm setting up SVM disksets for the first time and can't get metaimport to work. I can't help thinking there's something simple I'm missing.
I'm tasked with setting up a diskset in a J4200 JBOD array which is attached to two T2000 servers. This is going to a customer site where the servers will be reconfigured (sys-unconfig). Since the hostnames will change, the diskset -- and the RAID volumes on it -- will not be accessible from the "new" hosts until/unless it can be imported.
Before I change the hostnames, both hosts can 'take' and 'release' ownership of the dataset. But if I change the hostnames, not only can't I see or control the dataset (which is to be expected):
# metaset
metaset: sys1: sys1: side information missing for host sys1
-- but if I try to import the dataset, I get this sort of thing:
# metaimport -r
metaimport: no unused disks detected
# metaimport -r -v c2t0d0
metaimport: sys1: drive is in use
Of course if I delete the dataset, the drives will no longer be in use, but the dataset itself will cease to exist. I can't help thinking there's something simple I'm missing. Any suggestions? (ZFS is not an option for this customer.)
Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

I believe the problem is this: though the hostname has changed following sys-unconfig, the host still believes the disks are in use -- so it denies me permission to import a diskset that resides on those disks. Of course if I delete the diskset from both hosts, the diskset is destroyed (!) so that won't work. I have tried in a VMware simulation (no access to the system today) detaching the storage before deleting the hosts from the diskset, but that doesn't work either: I have to be able to reserve the disks in order to remove hosts from it.
It looks to me that this specific problem has no solution -- however if any of you smart people has a bright idea, I would much appreciate hearing it!
Edited by: Dave_Carta on May 15, 2009 6:43 AM to add an update and change the subject to better reflect the problem.