Preparing for the operational network

The principal activities involved in establishing the IMS network consist of:

• Gathering the IMS requirements for physical terminals.
  In addition, gather the following information regarding terminal requirements:

  • Organize input data for stage–1 IMS system definition for static terminals.
  • Define ETO descriptors and display screen characteristics for dynamically allocated terminals.
  • Define LU 6.2 descriptors.
  • Use the terminal profiles as part of the documentation for the IMS system design.
• Matching the terminals that are specified for IMS with those available for wider use by the installation.

  Multiple users can exist on high-function terminals, and the terminals might not be dedicated to the IMS online system. You need to be able to identify these terminals to the network generation personnel and to identify expected usage by the end users.

• Matching IMS system definition parameters to their counterparts in network generation.

  Correct device function might require the matching of IMS system definition parameters with VTAM and NCP network parameters. Be especially careful when defining buffer sizes. IMS and network buffer sizes must be compatible. Although system definition in IMS for ETO and LU 6.2 devices are not necessary, you must define them to VTAM.

• Monitoring the hardware installation plan.

  Create a plan for tracking the progress of hardware installation and network generation to ensure that the change to production mode is not jeopardized. This tracking might involve interacting with hardware specialists who install and maintain terminal hardware.

• Anticipating terminal installations.

  You might want to predefine terminals to IMS in anticipation of their installation.