Scheduling server-to-server replication

For replication to occur between two servers, you create a Connection document that specifies how and when the information exchange occurs. Connection documents are stored in the Domino® Directory. Use only one Connection document at a time to handle all replication between each pair of servers. Creating unnecessary Connection documents increases network traffic and congestion.

About this task

Both mail routing and replication are enabled by default, but you can change this setting and use separate Connection documents to schedule each task. This way, you can control the specific time(s), time range(s), or the repeat interval for replication and mail routing separately, and increase or decrease these settings, as needed.

How you connect servers for replication depends on the location of the servers. You can connect servers for replication over a Local Area Network (LAN) or over an intermittently connected serial line, such as a Remote access service connection. In addition, you can use pass-through servers for replication.

Replicating over the Internet is performed identically as with a LAN using TCP/IP. The Domino® server must be in the same Notes® domain as the Domino® server with which you want it to replicate. If it's not, your server needs a certificate in common with the other server.

Note: Do not use the server's common name when replicating servers. Only the server's full hierarchical name should be used during server-to-server replication. This applies to all instances of server-to-server replication.
Use these steps to set up Connection documents for replication, making sure of the following:
  • Schedule only one server to connect at a time.
  • Each pair of servers can connect to each other.
  • The Domino® Directory is replicating properly.

Procedure

  1. From the Domino® Administrator, click the Configuration tab.
  2. Select the connecting server's Domino® Directory in the Use Directory on field.
  3. Click Server, and then click Connections.
  4. Click the connection you want to work with, and then click Edit Connection.
  5. On the Basics tab, complete these fields:
    Table 1. Basics tab fields

    Field

    Enter

    Usage priority

    Choose Normal to force the server to use the network information in the current Connection document to make the connection.

    Source server

    The name of the calling server.

    Source domain

    The name of the calling server's domain.

    Use the Port(s)

    The name of the network port (or protocol) that the calling server uses.

    If you do not want to specify the actual port for making a local area network connection, but would prefer to have Domino® determine the port used, don't list any ports in the Use the Port(s) field in the LAN Connection document. Domino® uses all the information it has, including all enabled LAN ports and all enabled or disabled Connection documents, to determine the best path to use to connect with the other server.

    Destination server

    The name of the answering server. You can also specify a Group name that contains server names so that the Source server replicates with each server listed in the group you specify. To do this, you create a group that contains servers only, and specify "Servers only" as the group type. The group cannot contain the names of other groups of servers.

    Destination domain

    The name of the answering server's domain.
  6. Click the Replication/Routing tab, and then complete these fields:
    Table 2. Replication/Routing tab fields

    Field

    Enter

    Replication task

    Choose Enabled.

    Replicate databases of Priority

    Choose one:

    • High
    • Medium & High
    • Low & Medium & High (default)

    Replication type

    Choose one:

    • Pull Pull
    • Pull Push (default)
    • Pull Only
    • Push Only

    Files/Directories to Replicate

    The names of specific databases or directories of databases that you want to replicate.

    Separate entries with semicolons (;) and specify the names as they exist on the calling server. If the database is in a subdirectory to the data directory, include the path relative to the data directory -- for example, EAST\SALES.NSF.

    To specify all files within a directory and any of its subdirectories, enter the directory name relative to the data directory with the directory slash, for example EAST\. You can't use wild cards (*).

    Replication Time Limit

    The amount of time, in minutes, that replication has to complete.
  7. Click the Schedule tab, and then complete these fields:
    Table 3. Schedule tab fields

    Field

    Enter

    Schedule

    Choose Enabled.

    Call at times

    The times between which you want replication to occur each day; the default is 8 AM - 10 PM.

    Repeat interval of

    The number of minutes between replication attempts; the default is 360 minutes.

    Days of week

    The days of the week to use this replication schedule; the default is Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat.
  8. Click Save and Close.