Moving Notes Server
Before I go and do something stupid I just want to pass it by you guys.
Fisher - one of my Domino servers - is having problems. Serious ones. Memory Parity Check errors and the associated BSODs. It's going to have to go offline. My plan is to move the Domino server to the file server (yeah, yeah, I know) in the cellar.
Now, moving Domino servers. How hard is it? My plan is to install a fresh copy of the same version of Notes server on the new server. Then, before actually running the server, I will move all the files in the root Notes folder and the data folder over from the old server. Is it that simple?
I'm having/planning a bit of an IT overhaul here in the Rockall office. Most of the equipment has had its day and needs replacing. More on this later.
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Assuming same OS, I would move everything first - Domino directories and Data directories onto your new machine ensuring you keep the same directory structure. Then do a Domino software install setting the install program settings to the correct directory names. This will ensure the structure of your notes.ini file does not get changed, and Domino gets installed as a service (on an MS operating system).
Thanks Simon. Ian is telling me the same thing, right now, via Skype ;o)
Dont forget your port info in the server doc.
When we had a server crash, I loaded and configured Domino first and then moved the data. This worked fine. But according to Technote 1087009, the best practice is to move data and then install:
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Simons method sounds OK.
Your own method would do as well, especially If you remember to move your notes.ini to the new server as well.
I see no problem in running Domino on a server that also is doing file and print serving. Your number of users is about 3 as far as I remember. I have been doing that for years on a Pentium II with 3 concurrent users :-)
Make sure you do double check any external file dependencies like agents that read/write from files, etc..
I ran into a bunch of issues with one server move, where agents were writing files to directories that did not exist on the migrated box.
Thanks guys. I feel confident enough to go ahead and do it now. I just hope the server can resist a BSOD long enough for me to transfer files...
Well you could always pull the most recent backup... you do have those don't you? ;)
I'll say it again. hardware/server software setups are old skool. Put it in a virtual machine (Microsoft's or VMWare) and you could move it later without reinstallation headaches. I use virtual pc from our MSDN subscription and it works great with Notes/Domino.
I'd prefer to do consolidation the new way and get more bang from my hardware $.... £ for you.
I have to agree with Michael. I am in the process of building a server to have the VMware GSX software on it. On this box I am going to run virtual servers, one being a Domino server. I am just getting too many computers in my loft and I want to elminate the need to have one computer run one phyiscal server.
I am in the process of writing an article on my blog on this subject.
Don't forget to check your notes.ini if you copt that before the install. There'll often be spurious server tasks added.
Jake, check this out on the Notes.net "Most frequently used technotes for Lotus Domino server"
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Dunno if you have already done this Jake, but its a POC.
Like was said before, copy all of your data across to the new hardware, taking note of things like install directories, notes data directories. You want these to be the same on the new box.
Copy your Notes.ini, names.nsf and admin4.nsf and keep and pop these in a seperate folder as backup
Run the install program and point it at the correct directories for program files and data.
If you are installing a newer version of domino, the console should show that its upgrading views in admin4.nsf and names.nsf.
Really easy, done it loads of times!
Cheers
Scott