The directory entry containing *LOCAL is unique in that there is only one such entry in the directory, and it specifies the name of the local system database. The associated RDB name can be used in the SQL statement CONNECT TO x (where x is the local server name) to connect to the local database. The effect of CONNECT TO x (where x is the local server name) is equivalent to using the SQL statement CONNECT RESET.
If you want to make a DRDA® connection to the local server database, such as for program testing, there are two special RDB names that can be used for that purpose: ME and MYSELF. An example usage would be a programmer adding a directory entry with an RDB name of ME, with type of *IP, and with Remote Location name of LOOPBACK. He could then, in a program, do an SQL CONNECT TO ME and establish a sockets DRDA connection to the local system. However, general use of these RDB names is discouraged and they are documented only to warn that unexpected behavior can result from their use in some situations.
However, if you must change the name of the local RDB entry, the procedure includes doing the remove and add operation. But there are special considerations for removing the local entry, because that entry contains some system-wide DRDA attribute information. If you try to remove the entry, you will get message CPA3E01 (Removing or changing *LOCAL directory entry might cause loss of configuration data (C G)), and you will be given the opportunity to cancel (C) the operation or continue (G). The message text goes on to tell you that the entry is used to store configuration data entered with the Change DDM TCP/IP Attributes (CHGDDMTCPA) command. If the *LOCAL entry is removed, configuration data might be destroyed, and the default configuration values will be in effect. If the default values are not satisfactory, configuration data will have to be re-entered with the CHGDDMTCPA command. Before removing the entry, you might want to record the values specified in the CHGDDMTCPA command so that they can be restored after the *LOCAL entry is deleted and added with the correct local RDB name.