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IBM/Lotus Notes Client/Domino ServerHere are my notes and comments about IBM Lotus Notes Client and Domino server for workgroup computing Take the Brainbench certification test on LotusScript R5 Programming and Lotus Domino R5 Programming
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Companies & Products
Notes was created by Ray Ozzie, who went on to found P2P pioneer Groove Networks (which, ironically, has funding from Microsoft). Lotus was purchased by IBM in 1991. Lotus claimed a market share of 55 million seats worldwide. Releases and Prices of ProductsDomino R5 Server lists for $1,795. Lotus Notes R5 is $69 per user. Lotus Domino R5:“Raven” was the code word for the Knowledge Management product, which enabled clients to use IE 5.x browsers to customized portal sites. Raven (also IBM) uses DB2 (IBM's relational database product) to host and classify information from Domino databases, file systems, or HTML web pages. Support for multiple languages is enabled at the database level by checking the “Multilingual database” property in the database properties design tab. After enabling this property, also select the default language and region. The user client browser is configured to specify which language is served from a Domino web server. On the fly??? Tools for Managing Linux and Domino servers
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Product ComparisonsMicrosoft's competitive analysis vs. ExchangeG2Sys found a 25% improvement in performance between R4 and R5 What's Happening with Lotus Domino? 6 September 2000 article by Greg Neilson, author of Lotus Domino Administration in a Nutshell
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Domino Architecture ConfigurationDifferent clientsEach client is invoked with one of these .exe file, which then invoke a single nlnotes.exe process. The memory in this table is the additional memory taken.
This graphic still under construction:
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Physical File Names & Formats.nsf is the file extension for Notes data files. nsf stands for Notes Storage Facility. The NSF version for all files are shown in SHOW DIRECTORY lists:
Each version of Domino improves on its internal data File Format, called ODS (On Disk Structure).
The compact command converts an R4 .nsf (not .ns4) database to R5 ODS. Its -R option reverses such conversion. Lotus databases contain unstructured, or “loose” records. Each basic record, called a note, is created with a randomly generated 4-byte NoteID and a 16-byte UNID (Universal Note ID). These numbers are shown under the propeller hat tab. The Note-id (numbers prefixed with “NT”) is unique within a database. The UNID is unique across all replicas of its database because it contains the OF (Orginator id File) and ON (Originator id-Note) of the database being replicated. The physical location of a NoteID is specified in its RRV (Record Relocation Vector). File Size LimitationsThe absolute size limit for each database is set when the database is created. The Database Transaction log file is 192 MB by default, in \LOGDIR, with a maximum limit of 4096 MB. Databases from Templates.ntf is the file extension for Notes template files , which contains design elements used to create .nsf databases (unless "Prohibit design refresh or replace to modify").When the first domino server is installed in a Domino Domain, the install program creates a new Domino Directory file (NAMES.NSF), called the Public Name and Address Book (PNAB) in previous versions. Subsequent servers receive a replica of that file. Additional directories are created from the PUBNAMES.NTF template. All identifiers are based on the Cert.id created by the first Domino server installed. Each organization adds its stamp to it. Within a Domino domain, Servers in different geographical locations or connected using a modem can be separated into subgroups called Domino Named Networks (DNN). Like a Microsoft Active Directory site, servers within each DNN are constantly connected with the same protocol. So DNNs is usually named with a combination of location name and protocol, such as “HOUSTON_IP”. Lotus Domino organizes mail routing paths in a domain defined in a single Domino Directory. Searches for users and groups reference, in turn, these services which use NAMES.NSF: A database is enabled to receive mail by creating a Mail-in Database Server configuration document from within the Domino Directory. Author access with the "Create Documents" privilege and the Net Creator role are needed for this action. This contains the filename for the mail-in database. The mail-in name for the database is the name used in the SendTo field of mail messages addressed to the database. File CleanupWhen a file is deleted, Domino keeps a deletion stub so that it knows not to replace that file from a replica.
To repair a corrupted file:
DocumentsDomino keeps its metadata in various documents: |
IBM Redbook: Connecting Domino to the Enterprise Using Java IBM Redbook: Using Domino Workflow examples IBM RedPaper: Notes and Domino Connectivity - A Collection of Examples using LotusScript Extension for Lotus Domino Connectors (LSX LC) and LotusScript Data Objects (LS:DO). IBM Redbook: Lotus Notes and Domino Take Center Stage: Upgrading from R4 to R5 IBM Redbook: Getting the Most From Your Domino Directory IBM Redbook: XML Powered by Domino How to use XML with Lotus Domino IBM RedPaper: Building a Portal with Lotus Domino R5 (step-by-step).
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ConnectionsUsing the general form of URL syntax for Dominohttp://Host/Database/DominoObject?Action&Arguments To open a database:
To open a form to change URLRedirect object:
Lotus Notes and Domino authenticate each other in a session using Notes Remote Procedure Calls (NRPC) in nNNTPCL.EXE. DECS (Domino Enterprise Connection Services) connects clients to external data sources. nhldaemn.EXE
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Installation
PortsTo force use of port 636 for LDAP over SSL, shut down default port 389 for LDAP.To force use of port 993 for IMAP over SSL, shut down default port 143 for IMAP. To force use of port 995 for POP3 over SSL, shut down default port 110 for POP3. Settings in Notes.ini fileLotus keeps its notes.ini configuration file in the Destination folder (not in the Windows/WINNT folder). This file is not replaced by upgrades. It is not needed by Notes clients.Some default settings need to be higher for busy servers and networks: RegistryDuring installation, Lotus creates key in the Windows Registry for file extensions .ndl, .ns2, .ns3, .nsf, .nsg, .nsh, .ntf,
Registration data is stored in registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software \IBM \Product Registration \Lotus UninstallUninstallation from Control Panel does not erase configuration files in the Notes folder nor the notes registry keys under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.Users and Groups authenticationA client can be established with a personal ID or as a ___ with a security certificate.OrganizationLotus uses the term Organization two ways: the whole naming scheme and the highest level in a hierarchial name, such as:
The hierarchy is limited to 4 levels. Not counted in this limit are optional levels unique to Lotus Notes — the User Unique Organization Unit (UUOU) used to distinguish users with the same name.
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Lotus Notes Implementation Recommendations IBM Redbook: Lotus Notes and Domino R5.0 Security Infrastructure Revealed Vulnerabilities > Email Systems > Lotus Notes/Domino The Certification Log is not automatically created during installation. To renew a certificate: perform File | Tools | User ID | Certificates | Request Certificate This creates certlog.nsf using the template certlog.ntf.
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Workflows
Workflow applications |
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Database Design Elements
Rich Text fields are comprised of several CD (Compound Document or Composite Data) records containing text mixed with font and style formatting attributes. Elements: Actions, Agents, Columns, Fields, Forms, Subforms, Framesets, Outlines, Pages, Views To use a different name for display to users, create an alias by adding a vertical bar "|" to separate the name and the alias. The alias is always to the right of the vertical bar. The "Window Title" text can be static, or dynamic, or "Untitled". Avoid hard coding paths by identifying the path to the current database PasswordsMake the server password optional so that servers start without manual intervention.
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Vance Jochim's List of "Super-Human" Skills Requirements for Lotus Notes & Domino Professionals Perry Smith's Lotus Notes Questions And Answers Sample chapters from Special Edition Using Lotus Notes and Domino R5 Developer's Guide to Lotus Notes and Domino R5 by Brett Molotsky and Curt Holmer author's page IBM Developerworks articles on Lotus (requires registration)
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ACL (Access Control Lists)
Legend: Y=Yes by default, N=No, O=Optionally
Shaded cells designate the data and who can push it for replication Users obtain the highest level of group or explicit access when assigned to multiple groups with different access levels. To replicate, a server needs to be at least an Editor. Only one server should have Manager access to a database. If the ACL of databases in a replica are changed, one of them would be lost during replication. Access lists of design elements further restrict access granted by ACLs.
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Replication Type
Indexes are not replicated. Replications can pass through another server.
Replicas can have a different filename than the database being replicated. Replicas need not be on other machines. Several users can share an address book by making a replica of the names.nsf database with a different name (i.e., names2.nsf) on the same server. The other users get get ACL rights to open and bookmark the names2.nsf. By default, replication is performed to all files identified with the same Replica ID displayed in Database Properties Information tab. Replication occurs in this order: To perform field-level replication, Domino compares the document's Sequence Number with the sequence number on a replication alert:
The Replication service:The highest level of detail in logs is controlled with this configuration parameter:
Here is a list of factors affecting replication, arranged in a way to better remember what goes where:
The Server Connection document specifies whether the replication task is enabled, the Replication Type Style, and the Time Limit. Most replication problems occur because of inaccurate server ACL configuration settings in the databases. So first replicate the partner's ACL in File > Replication > Setting > Advanced > Replicate Incoming > Access Control List.
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Clustering
Notes.Net archive: Implementing and Maintaining R5 Domino Clusters To list status of clusters:
When a server is 100% busy, it's really slow. So make set NOTES.INI
To stop new session from being started on a server, change in NOTES.INI
PartitioningA server is Partitioned when several server applications run on the same (big) physical machine.
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Access Control Roles
Group Types
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ECL (Execution Control List)
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Agents
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Tools
Domino Files — The Ultimate Download Site for Notes Professionals IntelliPRINTPLUS from Cybernet Software integrates with the Notes Workspace to allow the end user to design reports and produce sophisticated output based on Notes data. It enables easy and accurate printing of labels, envelopes, calendars, bar codes, pre-formatted documents, forms and reports. Bakbone Application Plugin Module for online backup and recovery automatic, unattended backups for local or remote domino servers across the network — administered via a central location, Create a B2B Web Presence with Domino tutorial includes sample databases. |
Forms
Put into a Script Library file the functions used by several forms within a database. In the Options event of each form's Globals area, declare (if “mylib” is the name of the script library):
To call “my_function” from the library Actions (such as Print and Save Me) are shortcuts that perform a task when a button is pressed. Shared actions and Shared fields in shared subforms are Design Resources which can be created once, then inserted into several forms and views for the same database. This avoids formatting inconsistentcies. Lotus provides these field types in addition to Text, Date/time, Checkbox, Radio button, Listbox, Combobox, Password: Collections (groups) of Fields on a form are called sections used for formula Controlled Access. Formulas can be used to determine which subform is displayed dynamically. Types of fields: reserved, conditional/unconditional, hidden, keyword, signed, mail enabled, workflow related form attributes Tiff image formats are not supported. Keyboard ShortcutsF9 to refreshKeyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Windows, Office, and other applications
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Get Yourself Certified in Lotus Notes/Domino
You become a Certified Lotus Specialist (CLS) after passing one CLP test. You become a Certified Lotus Professional (CLP) after passing all the core exams for one of the job roles. You become Principled after passing one additional elective for a role. CLP R5 Domino System Administrator:
CLP R5 Domino Application Developer:
All these exams are administers at test centers managed by Prometric (800-745-6887) or CATGlobal. For $100 USD, you have 60 minutes to correctly answer 70% of 40-60 multiple-choice questions. Certified pros can get into Lotus' private site to access transcripts, numbers, logos, and mingle with other certified people.
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Cramsession provides an excellent overview Certification Featured Stories Sample Test QuestionsLearn That
Lucas W's Advanced CLP provides sample questions for elective LotusScript exam 273 and Transitioning exam 523.
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Resources
Newsletters & Magazines$347/year eView Technical Journal for Lotus Notes & DominoIRIS on Notes.Net $79/year Lotus Notes & Domino R5 Advisor Magazine article archive Lotus e-Pro Magazine (formerly Domino Pro Magazine and Group Computing magazine) DominoPower back issues Books 24x7 on-line (requires subscription) Groupware, Workflow, Email, Calendar, Collaborative Software Technical Knowledge Bases ConventionsIBM's Lotusphere is the annual convention (in January). See the sponsors!Advisor's Lotus DevCon 2002 8 - 12 September, 2002 at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront Hotel in Maryland Admin2002 for Notes/Domino administrators Consultants |
LinksGoogle directory for Lotus NotesDMOZ list Lotus-Domino-Start4All is chock full'o links Webdesk Lotus Notes Domino Resource Links Searchdomino . techtarget .com/ About Guide to Lotus Notes Domino LotusDomino.com has a full set of resources Book Lists |
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