IBM Lotus Domino

Lotus Domino 8.5

Developer(s)	IBM
Initial release	1991
Written in	C, C++, Java
Platform	Cross-platform
Available in	multilanguage
Type	Collaborative software
License	Proprietary
Website	Lotus Domino

Lotus Domino is an IBM server product that provides enterprise-grade e-mail, collaboration capabilities, and a custom application platform. Domino began life as Lotus Notes Server, the server component of Lotus Development Corporation's client-server messaging technology. It can be used as an application server for Lotus Notes applications and/or as a web server. It also has a built-in database system in the format of NSF. Its directory services can be used for authentication purposes as well.^[1]

Historical logo

Document-oriented databases

The IBM Lotus Domino line of products use a document-oriented database called NSF (Notes Storage Facility) to manage semi-structured data like rich text and files. The data is stored as documents and views allow finding specific documents efficiently. The document oriented database is a core part of the Domino architecture.

Documents

Documents have unique ids and further built in fields like the last author, last modified date, etc. and allow custom application specific fields. Documents can contain rich text which is stored either as native Notes rich text (CD record format) or as MIME. Both storage types allow formatted text and images, but only Notes rich text format is used for design elements such as forms and pages. Documents can also contain full file attachments. Documents can be queried via APIs and views. Lotus Domino also supports full text search for a full database as a built in feature.

Replication

Lotus Notes uses passive replication to maintain consistent data on various replicas of a database across servers and clients.

Security

Lotus Domino servers and databases have multiple levels at which security is applied, from server access to individual databases and documents, parts of documents or actions within those databases.

Lotus Domino products

• Lotus Domino
  • Collaboration Express
  • Enterprise Server
  • Messaging Express
  • Messaging Server
  • Utility Express
  • Utility Server
• Lotus Domino Access for Microsoft Outlook
• Lotus Domino Administrator Client
• Lotus Domino Designer Client
• Lotus Domino Document Manager (formerly Domino.Doc)
• Lotus Domino Everyplace
• IBM Lotus iNotes (IBM Lotus Domino Web Access before 2008)
  • Lite Mode (for slow connections, available since 8.0.1)
  • Ultralite Mode (for Safari browser on Apple iPhone, available since 8.0.2)
• Lotus Domino Unified Communications
• Lotus Notes Traveler

Lotus Domino services

The Lotus Domino server can provide multiple services. The core services include:

• Email server (supporting Lotus Notes, POP3, IMAP, web browser and Outlook clients and SMTP support)
• Applications server (the Lotus Notes client provides the runtime)
• Web server (Lotus Notes data or other surfaced via a web browser)
• Database server (Notes Storage Facility)
• Directory server (LDAP)

Add-ins to the Lotus Domino server can provide the following details:

• Data integration (Lotus Enterprise Integrator)
• Instant messaging and Web conferencing (IBM Sametime)
• Document management (Domino Document Manager)
• Collaboration space (Domino Quickplace)
• Mobile application server (Domino Everyplace)
• Mobile "Push" synchronization to Handheld devices - Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks (Lotus Notes Traveler)

Versions

Lotus Domino products are released simultaneously with Lotus Notes client products of the same version. Refer to Lotus Notes Versions.

See also

• SAP Logon Ticket, Lotus Domino as an SAP ticket verifier component
• DIIOP, protocol to access Lotus Domino servers
• List of collaborative software
• IBM Lotus Notes, client collaborative software for Lotus Domino server
• IBM Lotus Notes Traveler, realtime replication of Lotus Domino email and calendars to supported mobile devices
• IBM Lotus iNotes, web-based client for Lotus Domino server
• XPages, XPages
• Regroup.com, SaaS Enterprise Intranet provider

References

1. ^ Ticket Verifier Technical Components

External links

• Lotus Notes and Domino home page
• Lotus Notes and Domino Wiki
• Lotus Domino home page
• The History of Notes and Domino
• Development and admin limits in Lotus Notes/Domino