VTAM and NCF Node Table Definitions › Identify the Host NCF Node

Identify the Host NCF Node

It is critical for the implementation of NCF that each CPU where CA WA CA 7 Edition submitted jobs execute is able to identify its own entry in the NCF node table (host node). Three methods are available. The different methods are explained below followed by a discussion of their relative merits.

• First Entry in the Table is the Host Node

  Each site has its own unique node table with the host node as the first entry. This means that each site has a different source for its node tables. This is the default method for assigning the host node.

• Host Node Set by CAIRIM Based on User Parameter

  You can specify the host node in the CA WA CA 7 Edition System Configuration file when you add the CA71 instance. Using this method allows you to keep one copy of the node table that can be that can be distributed to all sites. This is illustrated in the following example:

  CA71 ADD NCF(xx)
  

  where xx matches the UCC7ID= parameter of the host node entry in the NCF node table definition. When the CAIRIM initialization process loads the node table into CSA, it adjusts the table so that the designated entry is first. A full discussion of the CAIRIM parameters available is in CAIRIM Initialization Considerations in the chapter "Execution" in the Systems Programming Guide.

• Host Node Set by CAIRIM Based on System SMF ID

  Specifying an SMF system ID on the node table definitions themselves also allows you to keep one copy of the node table that can be distributed to all sites. However, all SMF IDs across the network must be unique, and if you have sites with multiple CPUs, you will have to use methods 1 or 2 above to handle the CPUs which do not match the SMF ID listed in the node table. When the CAIRIM initialization process loads the node table into CSA, it adjusts the table so that the entry matching that system's SMF ID is first.

Usage Notes

The determination of which method to use should be based on your own situation. If you are unsure of which method is best for you, start with the first option (first entry in the node table is the Host Node). This method has the advantage of simplicity. Once you have it set up, you do not have to worry about parameters to CAIRIM or changing SMF IDs when you add or move CPUs within your NCF sites.

If your network is very dynamic and you find yourself having trouble keeping all of the node tables synchronized, consider using the second method (Host Node Set by CAIRIM Based on User Parameter). This allows you to maintain one copy of the node table. However, you must ensure that the CAIRIM parameters for CA WA CA 7 Edition at each site (and every CPU or LPAR that executes CA WA CA 7 Edition submitted jobs) specify the correct host node.

Also, if you have sites where only one CPU executes CA WA CA 7 Edition submitted jobs, you can consider the third method (Host Node Set by CAIRIM Based on System SMF ID). If these SMF IDs are specified in the node table, the selection of the host is done automatically by CAIRIM without any parameters. It is valid to specify SMFID= keywords on some of the NCF Table entries without specifying them on all entries.