---
title: Selecting a target session
description: The first step of the mapping configuration is to map an adapter instance or an authentication policy contract to your connection.
component: pingfederate
version: 13.0
page_id: pingfederate:administrators_reference_guide:pf_selecting_target_session
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/13.0/administrators_reference_guide/pf_selecting_target_session.html
revdate: July 8, 2024
section_ids:
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result
---

# Selecting a target session

The first step of the mapping configuration is to map an adapter instance or an authentication policy contract to your connection.

## Steps

1. Select an adapter instance from the **Adpater Instance** list.

   If you do not see the desired adapter instance, click **Manage Adapter Instances** to create a new instance of any deployed adapter.

2. If you want to customize adapter settings for this connection alone, select the **Override Instance Settings** checkbox.

   ### Result:

   When selected, the administrative console adds a new set of sub tasks: the **Override Instance** tab and its sub tasks.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
   | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
   |   | Alternatively, you can create child adapter instances of a base adapter instance with overrides so that such customized settings can be applied to several connections. For more information, see [Hierarchical plugin configurations](../introduction_to_pingfederate/pf_hierach_plugin_config.html). |

3. (Optional) To map an authentication policy contract (APC), select an adapter instance from the list.

4. (Optional) If you do not see the desired APC, click **Manage Authentication Policy Contracts** to create a new policy contract.

## Result

If you are editing a currently mapped adapter instance, you can select the **Override Instance Settings** checkbox. Clearing it removes all previously overridden settings for this connection. Selecting it provides you the opportunity to customize adapter settings specifically for this connection.

If you are editing a currently mapped APC, no changes can be made on this tab.