Packaging Notes apps for LFS Part 5

Packaging and deploying IBM Lotus/Domino applications on the Lotus Foundations Platform.

To test the IBM Lotus/Domino deployment process I followed the following steps:
1 – Downloaded the Kit
2 – Installed the Kit
3 – Created a test application.
4 – Packaged the application
5 – Deployed the application

In this post I'm documenting the last step (5) application deployment.Prior to deploying an application you would have to package it. Refer to my previous post.



Using the IBM Smart Business Development Kit I packaged the application and placed in in the root of my C:\ drive as shown.








Since it's a compressed zip file, right click on the file to extract the packaged file

Next, open the file server by typing the appropriate IP address in the address bar of Internet Explorer. (preceded by \\)

Locate the “autoinstall” folder and open it.

Drag the packaged file into the folder.

Open the web config screen of your Lotus Foundation Server (Typically https:\\ip:8043)Click on the software update option of the left menu. You should be able to see the application under the Add-on packages ready to install. (Since I didn't include release notes that option is not available)

Click on the install link. Verify that the application is installing. In the web config screen click on the status update option of the left menu you should be able to see the “autoinstall” message as shown in the screen.

You will be able to see when the installation completes in the same screen as shown.

If you recall, during the packaging of the application, I modified the ACL by adding the managers group. You will be able to verify this team creation under the user setup section of the LFS.







Finally, verify the installation by using the Lotus Notes client and opening the application in the server.

Packaging Notes apps for LFS Part 4

To test the IBM Lotus/Domino deployment process I followed the following steps:

1 – Downloaded the Kit
2 – Installed the Kit
3 – Created a test application.
4 – Packaged the application
5 – Deployed the application


In this post I'm documenting step 4.


4 – Package a test application.

Start the kit and follow the screens:





Splash Screen









There is a hierarchy as follows:


Project -> Application -> Component.


So you need the first create a Project, then create an application and then add components to it. If your application is just a simple .NSF file, then there would only one component.
Click on “Get started with a New IBM Smart Business Project” and you will get the following screen:




I called the project “DiscussionApp”. (Note that this field won't allow spaces in the name.)
I selected English and IBM Lotus Foundation Start V1.0.
This next screen allows you to enter basic information about the application.
I chose the values as shown in the following screen.

Next, you will need to add components.

Click on add Components.
The following screen shows up.

I called the component “NSF” as it is the notes application.

I had the kit running in the same machine as the server (not the LFS but a development server) so I selected Local computer and specified the path for the notes.ini file.

A list of the applications is displayed. I select the application. You can select whether you want the data as well.

The ACL is displayed.

Even though I had the right ACL, I decided to test the interface.

You can specify categories and descriptions for the ACL entry.

You can also select task to run in the server.

Additional files can be added to the package at this point.

















After this step, the package gets built






The next steps are test and application translation.

At this point you're ready to export the package. I decided to put it right in the root of the C: drive.

The export is completed and ready to be deployed.

Packaging Notes apps for LFS Part 3

To test the IBM Lotus/Domino deployment process I followed the following steps:
1 – Downloaded the Kit
2 – Installed the Kit
3 – Created a test application.
4 – Packaged the application
5 – Deployed the application

In this post I'm documenting step 3.

3 – Create a test application.




I created a quick application on my server. I chose a discussion from one of the available templates .










Next, I modified the ACL. You want to make sure you don't use people names but rather groups, so they can be managed via the Lotus Foundation teams. In this case I used “Administrators” and “Users” and deleted any individual names from the ACL. You will also have a chance to do when you're packaging the application with the IBM Smart Buisness Development Kit.

Packaging Notes apps for LFS Parts 1 - 2

To test the IBM Lotus/Domino deployment process I followed the following steps:
1 – Downloaded the Kit
2 – Installed the Kit
3 – Created a test application.
4 – Packaged the application
5 – Deployed the application

In the next paragraphs I'm documenting steps 1-2.

1 – Download the Kit
Go to the Lotus Foundations wiki at: http://www-10.lotus.com/ldd/lfndswiki.nsf
Follow the Application Development section on the left side. You will find an entry on where to download it. You will need to have an IBM Partner id and password with at least member-level access.

2 – Install the Kit
I used the download director to download the kit from the IBM site.

The following files were downloaded:

I double-clicked on the IRU_kit file and followed the screens.

Setting up my Lotus Foundations Server

Before we began, Edgar Olmos and I started the planning for the installation. We bought a UPS for electrical protection and a gigabyte switch.

We both took the IBM Lotus Foundations Start Technical Workshop in the IBM Innovation center in Chicago, so we had certain level of experience.

I have a DSL connection with a router/switch all in one. Since we planned to use the LFS as a firewall, we needed the new switch to be connected in the second ethernet port, protected by the firewall.

The installation went smoothly as expected. The main difficulties we encounterd had nothing to do with the server itself, but more with the workstation joining the new domain.

We have a brand new infrastructure in our office!

In my next post I will discuss my experiences deploying Lotus Notes applications to LFS.

Ready to set my Lotus Foundations server up

I received my server before going to Lotusphere. I unpacked it today and I will be setting it up tomorrow.

Lotus Foundations. A different paradigm

Deploying application in Lotus Notes for the Lotus Foundation server requires a radical shift in thinking. For example, the Lotus Domino Administrator client is no longer used in Lotus Foundations, users and groups (teams) are created via the Foundations web interface. So the process to deploy application is also different.
The good news is that there is right a way to do it which is creating a deployment package. Also, by packaging applications for Lotus Foundations, new markets and possibilities can be opened for IBM Business partners.
As opposed to creating an application directly on the server by using the designer or creating copies or replicas via the Lotus Domino Administration client, a package is created using the IBM Smart Business Developers’ Kit. This package then can be deployed to IBM Lotus Foundations Server. Components can be added and license keys can also be used. I downloaded the kit and I will be creating an application to be deployed in my Lotus Foundation Server. I will be posting my findings soon