Exchanging Volume Names

Using the metarename command with the -x option exchanges the names of volumes that have a parent-child relationship. For more information, see How to Rename a Volume and the metarename(1M) man page. The name of an existing volume is exchanged with one of its subcomponents. For example, this type of exchange can occur between a mirror and one of its submirrors. The metarename -x command can make it easier to mirror or unmirror an existing volume.

You must use the command line to exchange volume names. This functionality is currently unavailable in the Solaris Volume Manager GUI. However, you can rename a volume with either the command line or the GUI.

Consider the following guidelines when you want to rename a volume:

• You cannot rename a volume that is currently in use. This restriction includes volumes that are used as mounted file systems, as swap, or as active storage for applications or databases. Thus, before you use the metarename command, stop all access to the volume that is being renamed. For example, unmount a mounted file system.

• You cannot exchange volumes in a failed state.

• You cannot exchange volumes that are using a hot spare replacement.

• An exchange can only take place between volumes with a direct parent-child relationship.

• You cannot exchange (or rename) a log device. The workaround is to detach the log device and attach another log device of the desired name.

• Only volumes can be exchanged. You cannot exchange slices or hot spares.