When the host operating system is generated, VTAM® definition statements are filed in the VTAM definition library. The first time a major node is activated, activation information is recorded in the resource definition table and in the NODELST file, if one exists. Any further activations or deactivations of major nodes are also recorded in the resource definition table and in the NODELST file (if any). Every time the VTAM operator changes the status of a minor node, the change is recorded in the resource definition table and in a configuration restart file, if one exists.

The network configuration can be restored to either its initial status or its status before failure or deactivation. The status being restored depends on whether you have defined configuration restart files and on how you use the CONFIG operand and the optional COLD or WARM operand when restarting the network. Figure 1 illustrates this process.