Introduction to Lotus Notes & Domino

Date: 17
th
Sep 2008
Shivakumar Nandagopalan
Agenda
Lotus Notes
Lotus Notes History
What is Notes -- the Technical version
What is a Notes Database?
PORTS
Console Commands

Lotus Notes
Lotus Notes is a client-server, collaborative application developed and
sold by IBM Software Group.
IBM defines the software as an "integrated desktop client option for
accessing business e-mail, calendars and applications on [an] IBM
Lotus Domino server."
The Notes client is mainly used as an email client, but also acts as an
instant messaging client (for Lotus Sametime), browser, notebook,
and calendar/resource reservation client, as well as a platform for
interacting with collaborative applications.
A database is an NSF (Notes Storage Facility) file, containing basic
units of storage known as a "note". Every note has a UniqueID and a
NoteID.
Lotus Notes History
Lotus Notes has a history spanning more than 20 years
When Lotus Notes was initially released, the name "Notes" referred to both the client and server
components. In 1996, Lotus released an HTTP server add-on for the Notes 4 server called
"Domino".
In 1994, after the release and marketplace success of Notes R3, Lotus purchased Iris. In 1995 IBM
purchased Lotus.

Release 1 - 1989 - The Notes client required DOS 3.1 or OS/2. The Notes server required either DOS 3.1, 4.0, or OS/2.
Release 1.1 - 1990
Release 2 - 1991
Release 3 - May 1993
Release 4 - January 1996
Release 4.5 - December 1996
Release 5 - 1999
Release 6.0 - September 2002
Release 6.5 - September 2003
Release 6.5.1 - January 2004
Release 6.5.2 - July 2004
Release 6.5.3 - September 2004
Release 6.5.4 - April 2005
Release 7.0 - August 2005
What is Notes -- the Technical version
At its most basic level, Lotus Notes is a database system. In fact,
most Notes environments consist of a collection of databases that
might interact with each other at some level.
Lotus Notes, however, is not a relational database system. A Notes
database is a collection of unstructured data, combined with various
design elements that allow you to access and manipulate that data.
What is a Notes Database?
A Lotus Notes database generally
has a file extension of ".nsf". Within
that file, there can be data, design
elements, and programming code.
Each database file also has its own
security in the form of an Access
Control List (ACL).
Visually, you can imagine a Notes
database file like this:

PORTS
NRPC (Notes-Remote-Procedure-Call ) - 1352
The foundation for communication between IBM Lotus Notes workstations and Domino
servers or between two Domino servers is the Notes remote procedure call (NRPC) service.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ) - 25
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a TCP/IP protocol used in sending and receiving e-
mail.
SMTP usually is implemented to operate over Internet port 25.
SMTP is a relatively simple, text-based protocol, in which one or more recipients of a message
are specified (and in most cases verified to exist) along with the message text and possibly other
encoded objects.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol ) 80
HTTPS (HTTP over SSL or HTTP Secure)
Use of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) as a sublayer under
regular HTTP application layering. HTTPS encrypts and decrypts user page requests as well as
the pages that are returned by the Web server.
NRPC communication
IBM Lotus Domino servers offer many different services. The
foundation for communication between IBM Lotus Notes
workstations and Domino servers or between two Domino servers is
the Notes remote procedure call (NRPC) service.

Lotus Notes and Domino architecture
Domino server types
Server Type Function
Domino Utility Server
Provides standard Domino application services and custom Domino
databases for Lotus Notes and Web clients,
as well as support for clusters. This server type does not include
messaging services.
Domino Messaging Server
Provides messaging services. This server type does not include
application services.
Domino Enterprise Server
Includes the functionality of both the Domino Utility and Domino
Messaging Servers, including support for clusters.

Client types
Client Type Function
Lotus clients
IBM Lotus Notes
Allows users access to Notes databases on a Domino server, mail,
and Web browsing
IBM Lotus Domino
Designer
Supports the creation and development of Domino databases or
applications (This client is not used to access mail.)
IBM Lotus Domino
Administrator
Allows users with administration privileges to perform administrative
tasks in a Domino environment (This client is not used to access
mail.)
Internet clients
IBM Lotus Web Access
Provides on- or off-line access to Domino core messaging,
collaboration, and personal information management (PIM)
functions through a Web browser.
Web Supports mail and Calendar access for Web browsers.
POP3 Allows mail access to a POP3 compliant server.
IMAP Supports mail access to an IMAP enabled server

Domino core services
The core Domino services form the basis of a Domino infrastructure. Core
Domino Services include:

Directory - mechanism by which users and servers are categorized in a Domino environment

Security - tools and services that control access to servers and applications

Messaging - services, databases, and monitoring tools that support both Lotus Notes and
Internet mail

Replication - process of periodically updating replica databases on all servers regardless of
location

Maintenance - tools, services, and databases that support server maintenance and monitoring
Domino administration tools
Tool Description
Domino Administrator Allows administrators to make changes to the Domino environment,
such as:
Modify server settings.
Set up server connections.
Add new users, servers, and groups to the Domino
environment.
Monitor server activity.
Domino Web Administrator Provides administrators with the majority of features available
through the Domino Administrator using a Web browser.
Domino Console Provides a server console on any platform that supports Java,
allowing an administrator to:
Enter text-based server commands.
Remotely start and stop the server.

Lotus Notes and Domino 6 includes a set of tools to administer the environment. This combination
of tools allows administrators flexibility in managing their environment. The following table lists
these tools.
Domino server tasks
Task Name Description Runs
Administration
Process (Adminp)
Automates a variety of administrative tasks. On server
startup
Agent manager Manages and runs agents on a server. An agent performs
a series of automated tasks according to a set schedule
or at the request of a user.
On server
startup
Database Compactor Compacts all databases on the server to reclaim space
freed by the deletion of documents and attachments.
Based on a
schedule
Designer
Updates all databases to reflect changes to templates.
Based on a
schedule
Event Monitor Monitors the server for selected events defined by the
administrators.
As needed
HTTP Server
Enables a Domino server to act as a Web server so
browser clients can access databases on the server.
On server
startup
(if enabled)
Replicator
Replicates databases with other servers.
On server
startup
Router
Routes mail to other servers.
On server
startup (for
mail servers)
Statistics Records database activity in the log file. As needed

Console Commands
Show Server
Shows server status information including the server name, data directory on the
server, time elapsed since server startup, transaction statistics, and the status of
shared, pending, and dead mail.
Show Tasks
Displays the tasks on the server, and describes the activity of the task. Idle tasks
are indicated.
Show Cluster
Displays the local server's cluster name cache, which includes a list of all cluster
members and their status, based on information received during the server's cluster
probes.

Domino Directory


User accounts
Group management
Server configuration
Web site configuration
Replication settings
Router settings
Connections to other servers
Security
Types of IDs

IDs


User ID (USER.ID)
Required for Notes client users to access servers and shared databases
Password protected
Server ID (SERVER.ID)
Required to launch server
Not usually password protected
Certifier ID (CERT.ID)
Used to create user and server IDs
Used to create organizational unit certifier IDs
Strongly password protected
Certificates

Key to server authentication
Unique digital signature that identifies a user or server
Generated from the private key of a certifier ID
Certificates are stored in
ID files
Person, Server, and Certifier documents in the Domino Directory
They are also referred to as Notes certified public keys

Certificates Contain

The name of the certifier that issued the certificate

The name of the user or server to whom the certificate was issued

A public key that is stored in both the Domino Directory and the ID file

A digital signature

The expiration date of the certificate
Troubleshooting Lotus Notes
Typical User Problems with Possible Solutions
Problem 1: Unable to Launch Program
Answer 1: The User ID file is not found. This might be due to:

The user has not obtained and installed a personal User ID file;
The user neglected to transfer his/her User ID file from a previous workstation;
Answer 2: The Notes program has not been properly installed.
Reinstall program.
Problem 2: "Wrong Password"
Answer 1: Wrong password letter case. Notes passwords are case-sensitive. Be sure to turn off "Caps Lock."

Answer 2: The installed User ID file does not belong to the current user. Solution: obtain your own personal User ID
file (see "Problem 1: Unable to Launch Program," Answer 1, above), or make sure the installed User ID is the right
one.

Answer 3: Try one of the default passwords:
Type "password" (lower case);
Type "flxxxxxx" (where "f" is the user's first initial in lower case, "l" is the user's last initial in lower case, and "xxxxxx"
is the user's employee number).
Answer 4: An old version of the notes.ini file still contains a previous user's setup information. Solution: edit the
notes.ini file using a text editor, as follows:
Close the Notes program;
Open c:\windows\notes.ini in the text editor;
Delete all information below the third line of text (the "KitType" line), leaving the first three lines intact;
Save the file and close the editor;
Launch Notes; go through the setup routine, specifying the new User ID file and all other current information.

Problem 3: "ID File Corrupted" (Incompatible ID File Type)
Answer 1: The User ID file is the wrong type for that Notes version. For
example, Lotus Notes version 3.2 requires the "Notes" type of User ID file (as
opposed to the "Desktop" type) to operate. Solution: obtain a file of the proper
type.
To check your Notes version, watch for the small print at the lower left of the Lotus Notes sign-
on window as the program is launched.
To check your User ID file type (available only from within the program): from the onscreen
menu, select Tools / User ID / Information and examine the line for "ID type."
To order a new User ID file, see "Problem 1: Unable to Launch Program," Answer 1, above.


Answer 2: The file has been damaged. This is possible, but unlikely.
Solution: obtain a new copy of the file.
Problem 4: No Access to Databases
Answer 1: The user has not been granted access to that database or function. There are two basic types of access:
Role-based: users are granted access on the basis of their authority level or role in the process (e.g., manager, author, designer, reader);
Group-based: a user may be granted access by virtue of being part of a particular group (e.g., marketing department employees are given
access to marketing databases).
If you require a higher level of access (in the case of role-based access) or access to a particular database (group-based access), contact
your Service IT Desk, who can submit a request to the Messaging Support Team.


Answer 2: The user's official User Name (e.g., Shivakumar Nandagopalan/Chennai/iNautix) is not correctly registered in:
The iNautix Notes Address Book;
The appropriate group files (e.g., Chennai Messaging Team);
His or her User ID file;
The Network Workstation Setup window of the setup routine.

Answer 3: The program works, but the databases do not. There is no network connection or the connection has been lost. Server-resident
(i.e., "network") databases require an active network connection and cannot be accessed offline.
System Requirements For Lotus Notes
Listed below are the minimum and recommended specifications for running Lotus Notes. Please ensure your
computer meets these requirements before installing Lotus Notes.
PC Requirements
Client VersionMinimum Hardware RequirementsMinimum Supported Platforms7.x.x
8.0.1 BasicPentium-class processors or greater
128 MB RAM minimum
256 MB RAM or greater recommendedWindows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows XP sp1 or greater & XP Tablet Edition*
Windows Vista**8.0.1 StandardPentium-class processors or greater
512 MB RAM minimum
1 GB RAM or greater recommendedWindows XP sp1 or greater & XP Tablet Edition
Windows Vista****Please note that only 32-bit versions of Windows XP are supported and no support is currently
planned for 64-bit versions of Windows.
**At this time, only Lotus Notes 7.0.2 or higher are supported on Windows Vista. Only Vista Business,
Enterprise, and Ultimate editions are supported. For Vista, 512 MB RAM is required, and greater amounts of RAM
are highly recommended. Support for 64-bit versions of Vista is not currently planned.

**For 8.0.1 Standard on Vista, 1 GB RAM is required, and greater amounts of RAM are highly recommended.

Troubleshoot Server Connectivity
The following list contains typical causes of message transfer problems to and from Lotus Notes:
Incorrect configuration settings Ensure that you have installed and configured Exchange Connector for Lotus
Notes properly. You must configure the connector after installation and prepare the Lotus Domino server for the
connector. For step-by-step instructions for configuring Lotus Notes connectivity, see Configure Lotus Domino for
Connectivity with Exchange Server 2003.

Incorrect access permissions to Lotus Notes databases The Notes user ID that Connector for Lotus Notes
uses to access the Lotus Domino server requires the following access rights to perform message transfer:

Mail.box The connector account needs Depositor permissions to be able to deposit mail messages.

Names.nsf The connector account needs Editor with Delete rights to perform directory synchronization.

Mail Databases The connector account needs Reader access to convert Lotus Notes DocLinks to rich-text attachments or OLE documents.

Corrupted Lotus Notes databases Database corruption in the Exchange.box database can lead to message
transfer problems. To resolve these problems, run the Lotus Notes database fixup process on the Lotus Domino
server by issuing the following command at a the Domino server console:
load fixup exchange.box


Troubleshoot Server Connectivity
No network connection to the Lotus Domino server
Lotus Notes client is not configured properly Ensure that the
Lotus Notes client can successfully connect to the target Lotus
Domino server and that the correct Notes ID is assigned to that client.
You will not be able to start the Lotus Notes client if multiple
Nnotes.dll files are within the system path. You also should verify in
the Person document for the connector's Notes ID that the mail/home
server lists the bridgehead Lotus Domino server.