Exporting connection definitions

You can export a set of connection definitions and share them with other users. The exported file must have a file type of .pref but the name can be anything that you choose, for example, connections.pref. If you save the definition file on a shared disk, users can load the connection details into their z/OS® Explorer. Any changes that you make to the central definition file are picked up the next time the user starts z/OS Explorer.

About this task

This task explains how to export connection definitions to an external file. The file can be used by an individual user, or shared among many users.

Procedure

  1. On the main menu of the workbench, click Window > Manage Connections. The Host Connection view opens.
  2. On the view menu bar, click the Export Connections icon Export Connections icon. The Export Connections to File window opens. The File Location field displays the default location and file name for exported connections. You can type over the location or file name, but the file type must be .pref.
  3. Click OK. All the connection definitions are exported and saved at the location you specified.

Results

Connection definitions are exported as an XML file with a file type of .pref.

What to do next

You can now share your connections with other users. If you place the file in a central location, then other users can download or import the connections into their copy of z/OS Explorer.

Although it is possible, it is not advisable to change the file. If you do change the connection information in the file, you must ensure that you maintain the structure, otherwise the import or load might fail. The connection IDs are generated and used by z/OS Explorer, and any changes you make to the IDs might cause the connections to fail.