When a node failure occurs that affects an application program with persistence enabled, information required to restore the session has been saved in the multinode persistent sessions coupling facility structure. Other VTAM® nodes in the sysplex detect the failure and the application enters recovery pending state.

The persistent session timer (PSTIMER), if specified on the application's SETLOGON macroinstruction, is started on all VTAMs connected to the multinode persistent sessions structure. The PSTIMER indicates the amount of time an application can remain in recovery pending state. If the timer expires, one of the VTAMs in the sysplex performs cleanup of the coupling facility structure for the application program data. If PSTIMER is not set, the application remains in recovery pending state until the ACB is reopened by a VTAM in the sysplex.