Migrating/upgrading IBM Lotus Notes clients from either Linux or Microsoft Windows to Lotus Notes 8.0.x for Windows

Selma R Neves
IBM Software Group
Support Engineer
Westford, MA USA


Saidah Neves
IBM Software Group
Support Engineer
Westford, MA USA


March 2009


Abstract: This article explains the basic steps to migrate IBM® Lotus® Notes® 8.0.x configurations and data from a Microsoft® Windows® workstation or a Linux® workstation to a new Windows workstation. We also identify the files—both required and optional—to copy over from the old workstation to the new one.

Contents

1 Migrating Lotus Notes from one Windows machine to another
2 What files to copy
2.1 Core system files that must be copied over
2.2 Other files that should be transferred if available and/or used
2.3 Other optional files that can be copied over
3 Migrating Lotus Notes from a Linux workstation to a Windows workstation
3.1 Core system files that must be copied over
3.2 Additional files that should be transferred if available and/or used
3.3 Other optional files that can be copied over
4 Resources
5 About the authors

1 Migrating Lotus Notes from one Windows machine to another

You have a new Windows workstation to which you need to transfer your Lotus Notes configurations and data from an existing Windows workstation. To do this, follow these steps:

Phase I. On the workstation that will be decommissioned:

1. Shut down the Notes Client.
   
   
2. Make a backup copy of the core system files as well as the optional files, if desired.

Phase II. On the new workstation:

1. Install the Notes 8 Client.
   
   
2. Complete the setup of the Lotus Notes Client (if a copy of the user’s ID file cannot be pulled from the server, point to the backup copy).
   
   
3. Shut down the Lotus Notes Client.
   
   
4. Rename/delete the new local files (for example, bookmark.OLD) you want to replace with the existing ones.
   
   
5. Copy over the existing files to their respective directories.
   
   
6. Launch the Notes Client to confirm all existing data can be accessed.

2 What files to copy

When migrating Lotus Notes 8 data files to a new workstation, you must copy over the core files below to the new workstation in order to continue with the same settings available on the previous workstation.

2.1 Core system files that must be copied over

Located in the Notes\Data directory:

1. Bookmark.nsf. Contains the saved bookmarks and Home Page information.
   
   
2. Desktop6.ndk. This file is the Workspace that maps to the bookmarks.
   
   
3. Personal Address Book. Typically called Names.nsf (check the NAMES entry in the Notes.ini to confirm), this file contains personal contact entries, mailing groups, Connection documents, and Location documents.
   
   
4. User's .ID file (usually username.ID). This is the User ID file, needed to access Notes.

2.2 Other files that should be transferred if available and/or used

Located in the Notes\Data directory:

1. Any local personal databases that have been created (*.nsf). These applications, if created on the previous workstation, are stored in the Data directory.
   
   
2. User.dic. This file holds customized personal dictionary contents. It contains all the words that were added to the user’s personal dictionary through the "Add to Dictionary" option in the Spell Checker.
   
   
3. Headlines.nsf. This file should be copied over if subscriptions are enabled. It contains the Application Subscriptions information.
   
   
4. Perweb.nsf. This is the Personal Web Navigator application that contains Web browser information.
   
   
5. Internet.nsf. This file contains information from user’s newsgroup subscriptions (NNTP).
   
   
6. Busytime.nsf. This file contains the local free time information.

Located in the Notes\Data\archive directory:

1. Local mail archive (usually a_username.nsf). This file contains the user’s archived mail. It is, by default, stored in the Archive subdirectory; however, if you’re not sure, have the user check the Settings tab of the Archive Settings.

2.3 Other optional files that can be copied over

Located in the Notes Program directory:

1. Notes.ini. This file is a customizable settings file that contains information about your use of Notes, including but not limited to the information provided during setup and options selected in the user preferences.Proceed with caution if copying this file as the information in the existing one may conflict with the setup information of the new client on the new workstation.

NOTE: If the Notes client is not installed in the same drive name and directory structure, then edit the Notes.ini to update any entries that contain drive and directory information.


Located in the Notes\Data directory:

1. Local replica of the mail file (usually username.nsf). It contains your Mail, Calendar, and To Do list. This will only show up in the Data directory if a local replica of the server Mail file was created. Copying it over may save some time and network traffic.
   
   
2. Cluster.ncf. This file contains network information and will automatically be created, if it is not copied over. It is used on the client to help increase performance to cluster members.

3 Migrating Lotus Notes from a Linux workstation to a Windows workstation

You have a Linux workstation from which you need to transfer your Lotus Notes configurations and data to a new Windows workstation. To do this, follow these steps:

Phase I. On the Linux workstation that will be decommissioned:

1. Shut down the Notes Client.
   
   
2. Make a backup copy of the core system files as well as the optional files, if desired (listed below)

NOTE: On a Linux workstation the local files are stored under /home/username/lotus/notes/data. If the GUI is used, the files can be saved to a backup drive/device by a simple copy/paste or drag-and-drop action.

If, however, the command line is used, follow these steps to save files to an external device:

1. Switch to the root user and create a folder, using the following commands:
   
   for RedHat, SuSE and similar Linux distributions:
   
   su –
   mkdir /mnt/foldername
   
   for debian Linux distributions like Ubuntu:
   
   sudo –s
   mkdir /mnt/foldername
   
   
   
2. The device should mount automatically once connected to the Linux box; however, if it doesn’t, then use the following command to mount the device:
   
   mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/foldername
   
   where "sdb1" is where your device was detected (this could be different; check "dmesg" to see where the device was registered), and "/mnt/foldername" is the folder in which the device will be mounted (must exist).
   
   
3. Use the "cd" command to change to the correct directory:
   
   cd /home/username/lotus/notes/data
   
   
4. Use the "cp" command to copy files from the data directory to the device:
   
   cp –Rv . /mnt/foldername
   
   –R to copy directories recursively
   v to explain what is being done in order to keep track of what files have been copied over
   
   Files can also be copied individually, using this command:
   
   cp bookmark.nsf /mnt/foldername
   
   Copy each additional file that you want backed up to the device, using the above command.
   
   
5. Use the "unmount" command to properly unmount the device and avoid corruption of any files:
   
   unmount /mnt/foldername

Phase II. On the new Windows workstation:

1. Install the Lotus Notes 8 Client for Windows.
   
   
2. Complete the setup of the Notes Client (if a copy of the user’s ID file cannot be pulled from the server, point to the backup copy).
   
   
3. Shut down the Notes Client.
   
   
4. Rename/delete the new local files (for example, bookmark.OLD) you want to replace w ith the existing ones, and copy over the existing files to their respective directories.
   
   
5. Launch the Notes Client to confirm all existing data can be accessed.

3.1 Core system files that must be copied over

When migrating Lotus Notes 8 data files to a new workstation, you must copy over the core files below to the new workstation in order to continue with the same settings available on the previous workstation.

Located in the Notes\Data directory:

1. Bookmark.nsf. This file contains the saved bookmarks and Home Page information.
   
   
2. Desktop6.ndk. This file is the Workspace that maps to the bookmarks. Note, however, that .ndk files cannot be copied from one operating system to another. If you a ttempt to copy this file, the following error will display:
   
   "Unable to load workspace file: desktop.ndk. The file is damaged, obsolete or intended for a different operating system."
   
   Furthermore, LNXMIGRATE=1 does not resolve the above error when the target machine is a Windows operating system.
   
   
3. Personal Address Book, typically called Names.nsf (check the NAMES entry in the Notes.ini to confirm). This file contains personal contact entries, mailing groups, connection documents, and location documents.
   
   
4. The user's .ID file (usually username.ID). This is the User ID file, needed to access Notes.

3.2 Additional files that should be transferred if available and/or used

Located in the Notes\Data directory:

1. Any local personal databases that have been created (*.nsf). These applications, if created on the previous workstation, are stored in the Data directory.
   
   
2. User.dic. This file holds customized personal dictionary contents. It contains all the words that were added to the user’s personal dictionary through the "Add to Dictionary" option in the Spell Checker.
   
   
3. Headlines.nsf. This file should be copied over if subscriptions are enabled. It contains the Application Subscriptions information.
   
   
4. Perweb.nsf. This is the Personal Web Navigator application that contains Web browser information.
   
   
5. Internet.nsf. This file contains information from user’s Newsgroup subscriptions (NNTP).
   
   
6. Busytime.nsf. This file contains the local free time information.

Located in the Notes\Data\archive directory:

1. Local mail archive (usually a_username.nsf). This file contains the user’s archived mail. By default it’s stored in the Archive subdirectory; however, if it’s not, then have the user check the Settings tab of t he Archive Settings.

3.3 Other optional files that can be copied over

Located in the Notes Program directory:

1. Notes.ini. This is a customizable settings file that contains information about your use of Lotus Notes, including but not limited to the information provided during setup and options selected in the user preferences. DO NOT copy this file as Linux paths are different than those of Windows.

Located in the Notes\Data directory:

1. Local replica of the mail file (usually username.nsf). It contains your Mail, Calendar, and To Do list. This only shows up in the Data directory if a local replica of the server Mail file was created. Copying it over may save some time and network traffic.
   
   
2. Cluster.ncf. This file contains network information and will automatically be created, if it is not copied over. It is used on the client to help increase performance of cluster members.

4 Resources

IBM Support Technote #: 1087009, "Steps to reinstall a Domino server or to move a Domino server from one machine to another"

developerWorks Notes and Domino product page:
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/products/notesdomino/?S_TACT=105AGX13&S_CMP=LP

5 About the authors

Selma Neves has worked as a Software Support Engineer for Lotus Notes/Domino since 2004, where one of her main areas of expertise is mail routing protocols. She is an IBM Certified System Administrator in Lotus Notes and Domino 6, 7, and 8, and is a Primary Area Expert for SMTP, helping to enable the team in reading Ethereal/Wireshark network captures.

Selma holds a BS degree in Computer Systems Engineering as well as a minor in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Business Administration at Boston University.


Saidah Neves has been a Software Support Engineer for Lotus Notes/Domino since 2005. She currently works on the Notes Client team, where her main areas of expertise includes Workstation Mail, for which she is a Primary Area Expert; Workstation Crash; and Instant Messaging. She is an IBM Certified System Administrator in Lotus Notes and Domino 7.

Saidah holds a BS degree in Computer Science, as well as a Master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Marketing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.