PMDF System Manager's Guide

The second part of the PMDF configuration file gives the definitions of the channels. These definitions are collectively referred to as the "channel/host table". Each individual channel definition forms a "channel block". That is, the channel/host table defines the channels PMDF can use and the names of the systems associated with each channel. The table consists of individual blocks describing single channels. Blocks are separated by single blank lines. Comments but no blank lines may appear inside a channel block.

The first channel block in the file always describes the local channel, used to deliver messages to the local system.^e On OpenVMS or UNIX platforms, this must be channel "l" (lowercase letter "L").

A schematic layout of a generic channel block is shown in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1 Channel block schematic layout

(1) channel-name keyword1 keyword2 ... (2) official-host-name local-host-alias (3) host-name proper-name

Briefly, the two or more lines of a channel block are:

1. The channel name followed by one or more optional keywords which alter or modify the operation of the channel. See Section 2.3.2.1 below.
2. The official host name associated with the channel followed by an optional alias for the local host. See Section 2.3.2.2 below.
3. Additional hosts and optional aliases for hosts reachable by the channel. This third line and subsequent lines are optional. See Section 2.3.2.3 below.