Distinctions between an EE network and an EE connection network

You can implement EE in one of two ways:

A simple EE connection. In this implementation there are individual connections between endpoints. This connection can be either static with each endpoint of the connection defined with a predefined switch PU or dynamic with the DYNPU operand allowing for dynamically defined dial-in connections.
An EE connection network. This implementation uses a shared access transport facility (SATF) involving a common virtual routing node for communication. This connection is dynamically built as needed. EE connection network is explained in more detail in the section Configuring the EE connection network.

Evaluate whether an EE connection network applies to your network. A connection network is a representation of a shared access transport facility (SATF) that enables nodes to identify their connectivity to the SATF by a common virtual routing node in order to communicate without having individually defined connections to one another.

Many customers prefer to use an EE connection network because it provides a balance between control and usability. You do not need an EE connection network to have dynamic definitions; but if you use dynamic definitions, an EE connection network can be a simplified means of enabling dynamic connectivity between a set of EE partners.

Generally, all PUs associated with an EE connection network environment are dynamic. There are no predefined EE partner addresses, just the VRN definitions. Each node must have a predefined APPN connection (EE or otherwise) that provides end-to-end APPN locate capability in addition to the VRN definitions. With an EE connection network, the following are reduced:

Definitions
Activation actions
Maintenance of switched major nodes