Description: A currently unassigned value of hpicfLinkTestIndex. The value 0 indicates that no unassigned values are available.

In order to cause a non-zero value of this object to be assigned for use as the hpicfLinkTestIndex of a future link test, it must be successfully modified by a set operation. When modified by a set operation, the new value must precisely match the value presently held by the object. If not, the management protocol set operation will fail.

Immediately after the completion of a successful set operation, the agent must modify the value of this object. The algorithm for modifying the value is implementation-dependent, and may use a subset of values within the legal range. However, the agent must guarantee that the new value is not assigned to any in-use value of hpicfLinkTestIndex.

A management station creates a new link test using this algorithm:

- issue a management protocol retrieval operation to obtain the value of hpicfLinkTestNextIndex; if the retrieved value is zero, a new link test cannot be created at this time;

- issue a management protocol set operation for hpicfLinkTestNextIndex, supplying the same value as obtained in the previous step;

- if the set operation succeeds, use the supplied value as the hpicfLinkTestIndex of the new link test; if the set operation fails, go back to the first step and obtain a new value for hpicfLinkTestNextIndex;

- issue a management protocol set operation to create an instance of the hpicfLinkTestStatus object setting its value to 'createAndGo' or 'createAndWait' (as specified in the description of the RowStatus textual convention).

Note that the set of hpicfLinkTestNextIndex and the instance of hpicfLinkTestStatus may occur in the same set operation if desired.