importvg Command Purpose Imports a new volume group definition from a set of physical volumes. Syntax importvg [ -c ] [ -f ] [ -V MajorNumber ] [ -x ] [ -y VolumeGroup ] PhysicalVolume Description Attention: You may import an AIX Version 3.2 created volume group into an AIX Version 4 system, and you may import an AIX Version 4 volume group into an AIX Version 3.2 system, provided striping has not been applied. Once striping is put onto a disk, its importation into Version 3.2 is prevented. Attention: When you issue the importvg command to a previously defined volume group, the QUORUM and AUTO ON values will be reset to volume group default values. You should verify the parameters of the newly imported volume group with the lsvg command and change any values with the chvg command. The importvg command makes the previously exported volume group known to the system. The PhysicalVolume parameter specifies only one physical volume to identify the volume group; any remaining physical volumes (those belonging to the same volume group) are found by the importvg command and included in the import. An imported volume group is not automatically varied on. You must use the varyonvg command to activate the volume group before you access it. When a volume group with file systems is imported, the /etc/filesystems file is updated with values for the new logical volumes and mount points. After importing the volume group and activating it with the varyonvg command, run the fsck command before the file systems can be mounted. The importvg command changes the name of a logical volume if the name already exists in the system. It prints a message and the new name to standard error, and updates the /etc/filesystems file to include the new logical volume name. Notes: 1. To use this command, either have root user authority or be a member of the system group. 2. AIX Version 4 changed the behavior of importvg so that as part of the importvg process, the volume group is automatically varied on by the system after it is imported. However, if the volume group is Concurrent Capable or was imported with the -c flag, then the importvg command prompts you to varyonvg the imported volume group manually. You can use the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) to run this command. To use SMIT, enter: smit importvg Flags -c Imports the volume group and creates it as a Concurrent Capable volume group. Only use the -c flag with the HACMP. It has no effect on volume groups and systems not using the HACMP product. This flag only applies to AIX Version 4.2 or later. -f Forces the volume group to be varied online. -V MajorNumber Specifies the major number of the imported volume group. -x When used with the -c flag, sets the Concurrent Capable volume group to be autovaried on in concurrent mode. When used without the -c flag, does nothing. Only use the -c flag with the HACMP. It has no effect on volume groups and systems not using the HACMP product. This flag only applies to AIX Version 4.2 or later. In order for this auto-varyon into concurrency of the volume group to take effect, enter the following line into the /etc/inittab file: rc_clvmv:2:wait:/usr/sbin/clvm_cfg 2>&1 Attention: This entry must be added after the entry used to initiate srcmstr. -y VolumeGroup Specifies the name to use for the new volume group. If this flag is not used, the system automatically generates a new name. The volume group name can only contain the following characters: "A" through "Z," "a" through "z," "0" through "9," or "_" (the underscore), "-" (the minus sign), or "." (the period). All other characters are considered invalid. Examples To import the volume group bkvg from physical volume hdisk07, enter: importvg -y bkvg hdisk07 The volume group bkvg is made known to the system. Files /usr/sbin Directory where the importvg command resides. /tmp Directory where the temporary files are stored while the command is running. Related Information The exportvg command, varyonvg command. The Logical Volume Storage Overview in AIX Version 4 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices explains the Logical Volume Manager, physical volumes, logical volumes, volume groups, organization, ensuring data integrity, and allocation characteristics. The System Management Interface Tool (SMIT): Overview in AIX Version 4 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices explains the structure, main menus, and tasks that are done with SMIT. AIX HACMP/6000 Concepts and Facilities.