Importing ZFS Storage Pools

To import a specific pool, specify the pool name or its numeric identifier with the zfs import command. Additionally, you can rename a pool while importing it. For example:

$ zpool import system1 mpool

This command imports the exported pool system1 and renames it mpool. The new pool name is persistent.

Note:

You cannot rename a pool directly. You can only change the name of a pool while exporting and importing the pool, which also renames the root dataset to the new pool name.

Caution:

During an import operation, warnings occur if the pool might be in use on another system.

cannot import 'pool': pool may be in use on another system
use '-f' to import anyway

Do not attempt to import a pool that is active on one system to another system. ZFS is not a native cluster, distributed, or parallel file system and cannot provide concurrent access from multiple, different systems.

You can also import pools under an alternate root by using the -R option. For more information, see Using a ZFS Pool With an Alternate Root Location.