If one or more paths are lost between systems and there is not at least one outbound and one inbound path between two of the systems in the sysplex, XCF issues message IXC409D. Message IXC409D requests the operator to either retry the path(s) or to remove the system from the sysplex.

If a retry of the paths is not successful, the operator responds with the name of the system to be removed from the sysplex. To avoid removing a system from the sysplex, the operator may be able to specify additional outbound and inbound paths via the SETXCF START,PATHIN and PATHOUT commands.

A loss of paths between two systems can be caused by a channel failure on one of the systems when there is not a second channel providing signalling paths between the systems.

To rejoin the sysplex, a system must be reinitialized with sufficient signalling paths between the systems.