When activating an NCP, VTAM® can be provided with a list of link stations in subarea nodes adjacent to the NCP that are to be automatically activated along with the NCP. Automatically activated link stations and already active link stations adjacent to the NCP connect the NCP to the rest of the network. In addition to providing access to the NCP being activated, activating the link stations provides link station ownership to the VTAM SSCP. The NCP containing the link stations supplies VTAM with notification of link station failures. Activation of the link stations enables you to load or dump the NCP through the link stations.

A VARY ACT command for an NCP major node can result in the automatic activation of cross-subarea links and link stations in adjacent subarea nodes (other NCPs or VTAM itself). For example, if you enter a command to activate an NCP, VTAM automatically activates the link stations in adjacent nodes that are known to be needed for the connection to the NCP being activated. VTAM knows this from the channel device name or RNAME specification (or both) of either the NCP definition statement or the VARY ACT command. However, the full route must be available for automatic activation to be completely successful.