Installing Lotus Domino Server on Windows NT

Storing user IDs securely is important. You can put user IDs in the Name and Address Book, which is the central database in Notes. The Name and Address Book contains most of the server configuration information and stores information for every user in person documents. The client downloads its user ID and removes the user.id file from the server. The user.id file then exists only where the client places it. You can configure the client to save the user.id file in the user's home directory, which will let you recover the file, if necessary, from a tape backup. A better option, however, is to save the user.id file on a disk that you store securely. (You can fit many users on one disk.) Keeping user IDs on a separate disk lets you easily access all your user IDs. If users forget their password, you can copy their user.id file to their h:\notes\data directory, and they'll be back in business with the password you originally set up for them. Your best option is to keep user IDs in the Name and Address Book and on separate disks. That way, you can secure a disk with all user IDs, and you can easily reinstall clients from the Name and Address Book.

After you've completed the options in the Register Person screen, click Register to create the user's ID file and mail file. Now you can add the user to the Name and Address Book. If you choose to store the user's ID file in the Name and Address Book, the ID will automatically attach to the user's person document. You can also write the ID file to a disk. After you've registered all your users, you can install the Lotus Notes client program on their desktops.

Installing the Notes Client
I prefer to install the Lotus Notes client in a read-only applications directory as a server-based install. I then install the client components in the user's home directory on the server. This way, the server's tape drive will back up important data such as the desktop and user's ID file.

On the network's file server, either use the current applications share or create a new applications share specifically for the Notes client software. From a workstation, run the client installation as a server-based installation. The installation directory is not the same directory you installed Domino on but an applications share users can map to. You can perform the client-based installation from a workstation and map an applications share--for example, M:--and then install to M:/notes.

The client installation options screen is similar to the server installation screen. Select the Notes Workstation option. Additional Dictionaries (these are international dictionaries) is optional. You will need the Personal Data Files but not Notes Modems, because your clients will be server-based. Install Notes Designer ToolBox and associated files on the workstations of users who work on Domino development. The Help files are optional, because they'll be on the server. You might want to install Java support.

When you start the Notes client for the first time on a workstation, the first screen will ask what kind of server to attach to. Specify the Domino server. Then you must supply the connection type, which will be LAN. If you've chosen to keep user ID files on a disk but not in the Name and Address Book, you need to give the password for the user at the prompt. The program will then show you the user's name and prompt you for the home server's name and the network type. The home server is the name of the Domino server. Choose TCP/IP for the network type (unless you have an IPX/SPX-only network, in which case you will choose NetBIOS). Click OK, and the program will create the default icons for the program address books and mailbox file and ask you for the time zone. Your Lotus Notes client installation is complete.

After you've completed the client installation and users are mapping to the new share as necessary, each user can run the workstation installation. To do so, users run the workstation installation program from the applications share and install the data directory onto their home directory. The workstation installation program installs a few files to h:\notes\data (assuming H: is the home directory) and also creates a notes.ini file in the c:\windows directory. The program then exits. If you need to let several people use one computer, you must move the notes.ini file into the h:\notes directory. Then adjust the properties on the Lotus Notes Properties dialog box Shortcut tab so Notes starts in h:\notes\, as Screen 6 shows.

Finishing Touches
I like to make a few default changes to the desktop. For example, if you click on an open space on the desktop, you can turn off Server Names (you have only one server) and turn on Unread Messages, which will show you how many unread messages are in each database. You can also add a few default databases such as the Database Catalog and the Notes Help file.

Your users can now use Lotus Notes. You can now hire a Lotus Notes developer to create true groupware applications so your company gets the most from its new investment.