Ok this is what i found out, the metadata export/import via ' Backup, Restore and Update ' menu in xsconsole OR using ' xe vm-export filename=xxx metadata=true vm= ' will export all vm's metadata eventhough you've specify the vm in the latter, the former is ok because it is backup & restore tool. Problem happens when you want to restore the metadata or import to another xenserver. If you follow the method from 'Backup and Restore' in the reference guide, it should be ok if you're using pool because all pools are using shared storage; and if you don't use pool, your xenserver store all the VMs in the shared storage ONLY, means the Local SR is not use at all. This way, you wont face any problem. But, what if you have a mix of local & shared storage use.