A single gateway NCP can back up any number of similarly configured gateway NCPs. A gateway VTAM® accepts the names of the networks connected to a gateway NCP, without requiring any more definition than NCP already requires. Any VTAM connected directly to a gateway NCP through a leased SDLC line can transmit its own NETID.

Dynamic network identifier enables you to dynamically add and delete NETIDs (networks) within a gateway NCP. Its primary purpose is to provide more backup flexibility; a single gateway NCP can be used to back up numerous NCPs with different NETIDs (residing in different networks). It might also be useful in situations where a gateway NCP occasionally uses links in other networks, especially on a random basis.

The gateway NCP implementing the dynamic NETID must be an NCP Version 5 Release 4. The gateway VTAM that owns the gateway NCP implementing the dynamic NETID must be in a host running MVS™ or VM/ESA. VTAMs that are connecting the gateway NCP can run VSE/ESA, MVS, or VM/ESA.