As an alternative to defining your own connection definitions, you can share a set of definitions that are stored in a central location. You can either load or import the shared connection definitions into your copy of CICS Explorer. Sharing connections means that the connection definitions can be managed centrally, and any changes to the definition file are picked up the next time CICS Explorer starts.
Shared connection definitions are typically defined by a system administrator, using CICS Explorer, and exported to a central location where other users can access them. The exported file must have a file type of .pref. For example, connections.pref. Any user with access to the file location can load or import the definitions in their copy of CICS Explorer.
When you load connections, a link is created to an external connection definition file, and the connections are shown in the Host Connections view. The definitions can be viewed but not changed. Any changes to the shared connections file are reflected next time CICS Explorer starts. If the connection file is deleted or moved, the connections are lost from CICS Explorer.
When you import connections, the details are copied into your local workspace and must be manually updated if any details change. Importing a connection definition that already exists in the z/OS Explorer , and is associated with a credential, updates only the existing connection definition details. It does not change the credential.
You can now use the loaded or imported connections and connect to a host system. You must have a credential defined before you can connect. If you have not yet defined any credentials you will be prompted to create one when you attempt to connect. For more information, see the related links.