This chapter describes how to use the PMDF automatic configuration generator to create an initial configuration for your system. In most cases, the configuration that is created by following these steps will not require further modification. However, if additional customization is required, or if some channels were not generated by PMDF CONFIGURE (for example, dial-up PhoneNet or DECUS UUCP channels), you will need to edit the configuration file manually.

Manual editing of the configuration file could also be required as your environment evolves. For example, as nodes or networks are added to your system, you might need to add rewrite rules or channel blocks to your pmdf.cnf file. In many cases, you might find it easier to rerun the configuration generator, entering different values to reflect the changes in your environment.

The web-based configuration utility maintains a history of the prior configuration session. If you want to reconfigure later, you can load that prior configuration session's data. (Click on the "Load" button on the main configuration screen.)

Similarly, the command line configuration utility saves a history of its execution in the configure.history file that is located in the PMDF table directory. When you run PMDF CONFIGURE again, you will be asked if you want the values in the history file to be the default values for the configuration.