An association is a connection between CMIP services on this host and CMIP services on another node or between CMIP services on this host and itself. An association between CMIP services on this host and itself is called a local association. An association between CMIP services on this host and CMIP services on another node is called a remote association.

If the directory definition file allows an association, the association is created by CMIP services when a CMIP application program sends a CMIP request.

If CMIP services on NETA.SSCP1 has an association with CMIP services on NETB.SSCP2, CMIP services on each system can exchange CMIP requests and actions with each other. If no association exists between the two, the two CMIP services cannot exchange CMIP requests and actions.

The IBM-supplied directory definition file shipped with VTAM® allows unlimited associations with other CMIP services. If you want to control which CMIP services on other systems can have associations with CMIP services on this host, you must edit the data set that contains the IBM-supplied file. The IBM-supplied directory definition file is in the ACYDDF member of the partitioned data set, SYS1.SISTCMIP. ISTCMIP is the DD name used in the VTAM start procedure, as described in VTAM Installation and Migration Guide.

If you use the IBM-supplied directory definition file without changing it, CMIP services on any node in any network can send data to and receive data from CMIP services on this host.

The IBM-supplied directory definition file is adequate for a controlled test environment. When you start communicating with other networks, you might want to update the directory definition file to control the associations that CMIP services on this host has with CMIP services on other nodes.