The Requester is started automatically when the first service request for it is made by a CICS client program. At that point, the Requester establishes a connection with its remote endpoint and updates its control tables with run-time information for use by subsequent requests. If the connection with the remote endpoint is lost for any reason, the Requester attempts to re-establish the connection automatically. After a configured number of unsuccessful connection attempts, the Requester marks itself disabled.

If the gateway receives additional service requests, they are accommodated as long as the maximum multiplex count for the existing connection is not exceeded. Also, additional connections are opened, as necessary, until the configured maximum connection count is reached or all requests are accommodated.