SnTT: Using Domino as a cheap and dirty software distribution system
Hey all, quick one today. As I’m a Domino admin responsible for servers all over the country, I find myself upgrading servers and installing software remotely. Using Terminal Services or VNC really saves on time and headaches. The problem I have sometimes is that I have to get an install package to each one of those servers before I can do my work. A couple of the more remote offices have smaller pipes too, so pushing out the install packages gets to be kind of a pain.
Well, here’s an easy fix, a Lotus Notes-based software distribution database!
We have a small database here that has a VERY basic form with a place for attachments. It has a replica on every Domino server in our environment. Whenever I need to get something to all of my servers, I simply attach the install files into a form in the database. I normally do this right before I leave for the day. Then, overnight, Domino works it’s magic and replicates the database to all of my servers.
Mind-bogglingly simple, yet something I frequently see people have a need for. Hope it helps you “one person admin” shops! 🙂
March 17, 2006 @ 9:58 am
I like it, but…
What about servers that do not or can not have the client software installed on them? Do you have an agent or action button or something to detach the file to the server which it currently resides on?
Keith
March 17, 2006 @ 2:02 pm
Actually I do it through a web-based interface. I sign on to the DB via a browser and detach the file.
I think you DEFINITELY should never have the client on the server… so in the rare instances that a server might not have HTTP, I would install the client on a file server and download it there and transfer it.
Take Care,
Grey
March 22, 2006 @ 6:53 pm
Just stumbled across your site and was wanting to donload this database – sorry for my ignorance but how do I do this?
March 23, 2006 @ 12:02 pm
Hi Paul,
It’s not something I was making available for download. I was just telling you how to go about it.
Basically if you have a Notes developer (or know a little yourself) you can create this easily.
Basically, do the following:
* Create a new DB with a blank template
* Create a Form in the database
* Put a Rich Text Field into the form.
thats REALLY all you need. You simply create a document and attach a file into that form. When the DB replicates to other servers, the documents replicate with the attachments.
Simple as that. In fact, you could probably do this with the standard Document Library template…so no custom creation required!
Let me know if you need any more help!
-Grey