Connecting and disconnecting an initial context

We can connect or disconnect IBM MQ Explorer to an initial context that is displayed in the JMS Administered Objects folder. We can also configure each initial context so that IBM MQ Explorer automatically reconnects to it the next time that you close and restart IBM MQ Explorer.

About this task

To administer IBM MQ classes for JMS objects in IBM MQ Explorer, IBM MQ Explorer must be connected to the initial context that defines the root of the JNDI namespace in which the JMS objects are stored. If IBM MQ Explorer is disconnected from the initial context, the context is still displayed in the JMS Administered Objects folder but we cannot view or administer the objects in JNDI namespace.

• Connecting and disconnecting an initial context
• Automatically reconnecting to an initial context

Connecting and disconnecting an initial context

About this task

If the JNDI namespace is on a different computer to IBM MQ Explorer, ensure that the naming and directory service is available.

To connect or disconnect IBM MQ Explorer to an initial context that is displayed in the JMS Administered Objects folder:

Procedure

1. In the Navigator view, right-click the initial context, then click Connect or Disconnect as required.
2. If the JNDI service provider requires authentication (for example, LDAP), enter your authentication details when prompted.

Results

IBM MQ Explorer connects or disconnects the initial context. The color of the initial context's icon changes to show its status: gray if it is disconnected; blue if it is connected.

If you disconnect an initial context that is configured so that IBM MQ Explorer automatically reconnects to it, the next time that you close and restart IBM MQ Explorer, the initial context is reconnected.

What to do next

If you want to remove the initial context completely from IBM MQ Explorer, see Removing an initial context.

Automatically reconnecting to an initial context

About this task

We can configure each initial context so that IBM MQ Explorer automatically reconnects to it the next time that you close and restart IBM MQ Explorer. If we do not configure an initial context to automatically reconnect, when you close and restart IBM MQ Explorer, it is not reconnected.

To configure an initial context so that IBM MQ Explorer automatically reconnects to it on startup, perform one of the following tasks:

To configure the initial context so that IBM MQ Explorer does not automatically reconnect to it:

Procedure

1. When you add an initial context to the JMS Administered Objects folder in IBM MQ Explorer, we can select the Automatically reconnect on startup check box in the Add New Context wizard.
2. For initial contexts that are already shown in the JMS Administered Objects folder, right-click the initial context, then click Autoreconnect. A check mark is placed next to the menu item to indicate that the initial context is set to automatically reconnect to IBM MQ Explorer on startup.
3. In the Navigator view, right-click the initial context, then click Autoreconnect. The check mark next to the menu item is removed.

Results

If the initial context is in a naming and directory service that requires authentication (for example, an LDAP server), when you start IBM MQ Explorer, you are prompted for the authentication details for each initial context that requires authentication and is set to automatically reconnect.