diff --git a/lib/format_text/import_vsn1.c b/lib/format_text/import_vsn1.c
index 3645fa2b6..a4dcdf146 100644
--- a/lib/format_text/import_vsn1.c
+++ b/lib/format_text/import_vsn1.c
@@ -600,6 +600,25 @@ static int _read_lvnames(struct format_instance *fid __attribute__((unused)),
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+	/*
+	 * The LV lock_args string is generated in lvmlockd, and the content
+	 * depends on the lock_type.
+	 *
+	 * lock_type dlm does not use LV lock_args, so the LV lock_args field
+	 * is just set to "dlm".
+	 *
+	 * lock_type sanlock uses the LV lock_args field to save the
+	 * location on disk of that LV's sanlock lock.  The disk name is
+	 * specified in the VG lock_args.  The lock_args string begins
+	 * with a version number, e.g. 1.0.0, followed by a colon, followed
+	 * by a number.  The number is the offset on disk where sanlock is
+	 * told to find the LV's lock.
+	 * e.g. lock_args = 1.0.0:70254592
+	 * means that the lock is located at offset 70254592.
+	 *
+	 * The lvmlockd code for each specific lock manager also validates
+	 * the lock_args before using it to access the lock manager.
+	 */
 	if (dm_config_get_str(lvn, "lock_args", &str)) {
 		if (!(lv->lock_args = dm_pool_strdup(mem, str)))
 			return_0;
@@ -828,6 +847,27 @@ static struct volume_group *_read_vg(struct format_instance *fid,
 			goto bad;
 	}
 
+	/*
+	 * The VG lock_args string is generated in lvmlockd, and the content
+	 * depends on the lock_type.  lvmlockd begins the lock_args string
+	 * with a version number, e.g. 1.0.0, followed by a colon, followed
+	 * by a string that depends on the lock manager.  The string after
+	 * the colon is information needed to use the lock manager for the VG.
+	 *
+	 * For sanlock, the string is the name of the internal LV used to store
+	 * sanlock locks.  lvmlockd needs to know where the locks are located
+	 * so it can pass that location to sanlock which needs to access the locks.
+	 * e.g. lock_args = 1.0.0:lvmlock
+	 * means that the locks are located on the the LV "lvmlock".
+	 *
+	 * For dlm, the string is the dlm cluster name.  lvmlockd needs to use
+	 * a dlm lockspace in this cluster to use the VG.
+	 * e.g. lock_args = 1.0.0:foo
+	 * means that the host needs to be a member of the cluster "foo".
+	 *
+	 * The lvmlockd code for each specific lock manager also validates
+	 * the lock_args before using it to access the lock manager.
+	 */
 	if (dm_config_get_str(vgn, "lock_args", &str)) {
 		if (!(vg->lock_args = dm_pool_strdup(vg->vgmem, str)))
 			goto bad;