Viewing the CICS system connections

The Connections view displays a graphical representation of the connections between the CICS® systems and other subsystems in the model. The Connections view is populated only when a Sysplex view or a resource editor view is open. If a Sysplex view is open and visible, the scope of the connections view is the sysplex. If a resource editor is open and visible, the scope of the connections view is the CICSplex that the resource is in. The connections are shown as lines that connect the resources.

By default, the Connections view is linked to the visualization views, the DA Explorer view, and the resource editors, so their content is synchronized. When you select a resource in a linked view the same resource, and its connections, are highlighted in the Connections view. You can turn off synchronization by deselecting the Link with Editor icon in the view menu bar A screen capture of the Link with Editor icon.

The following screen capture shows an example of the Connections view. In the Sysplex view, CICS region IYK3Z24C is selected. The Link with Editor icon is selected in the Connections view and so IYK3Z24C is highlighted. The connections from IYK3Z24C to other CICS regions and subsystems are also highlighted.

A screen capture that shows an example of the Connections view in the horizontal layout. In the Sysplex view, CICS region IYK3Z24C is selected. In the Connections view, the Link with Editor icon is selected, so IYK3Z24C is highlighted and showing the connections to other CICS regions and subsystems. The cursor is positioned over the link to a WebSphere subsystem, and the tooltip shows the connection details.

Narrowing the connection scope

You can narrow the scope in the Connections view so that you see only the connections in the CICSplex that the resource is in. The selected resource, and its connections, are highlighted. There are two different ways to narrow the scope:

  1. In the Connections view, select a resource and press F4. The scope changes to show only connections in the CICSplex that the resource is in. Pressing F4 again returns the scope to show all resources and connections. You can revert to the Sysplex scope by pressing F4 again.
  2. Open the resource editor for the selected resource. With the resource editor visible, the scope in the Connections view shows only connections in the CICSplex that the resource is in. You can revert to the Sysplex scope by closing the editor, or by selecting the Sysplex view.

If you have viewed more than one scope, you can see the scope history by using the Previous scope The Previous scope icon and the Next scope The Next scope icon icons.

Displaying the connection details

The connections are shown as lines that connect the resources. When you select a resource, the connections to, and from, the resource are highlighted. An arrow at one end of the line indicates whether the connection is incoming or outgoing.

The connection lines are color-coded. Each color represents a different connection type. The following table lists the different colors, and the connection type:

A screen capture showing the different line colors and the connection type for each color.

You can hover over a connection to see more information. A tooltip is displayed showing the connection type and details of the connected resources.

Changing the layout of the Connections view

You can view the connections in either a horizontal or vertical layout. Use the Switch to icon to change the layout direction The Switch to icon.

Copying or printing the connections information

You can copy the connection information as a graphical file and print it, or paste it into an external application.

To print the information, open the Connections view and, if necessary, narrow the connection scope. Press Ctrl +P.

To copy the connections as a graphical file, press Ctrl +C to copy the file to the clipboard. You can then paste the file into your external application.