NETWORK CONFIGURATION

Lotus Domino and networks
A variety of client systems can use wireless technology or modems to communicate with IBM® Lotus® Domino™ servers over local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and metropolitan area networks (MANs). Computers use one or more protocols to govern how they share information over a network. For example, IBM® Lotus® Notes® workstations and Domino servers use the Notes remote procedure call (NRPC) protocol running over the LAN's network protocol to communicate with other Domino servers. Other client systems, such as Web browsers, Internet mail clients, wireless application protocol (WAP) devices, and personal information management (PIM) devices, can also communicate with Domino servers.

Isolated LANs can be connected by WANs. A WAN is either a continuous connection -- such as a frame-relay, leased telephone line, or digital subscriber line (DSL) -- or a dialup connection over a modem or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) line. Dialup connections are either to an individual server or to a LAN (through a provider network or your company's own communications server).

Buildings or sites that are geographically close to each other can use a MAN, which is a continuous, high-speed connection that can connect corporate LANs or connect a LAN to the WAN. Like a WAN, a MAN is usually shared by multiple organizations.

Wireless technology that works with Domino ranges from localized transmission systems (802.11a or 802.11b) to national or international satellite transmission systems that are geostationary, mid-orbit, or tracked orbit.

If you are planning a network for geographically dispersed locations, consider how to achieve a cost-effective infrastructure. Placing servers in one location requires that users in other locations access the Domino server across WAN connections, which can be slow and expensive. Placing servers in every location and replicating databases to make the same information available on several LANs requires attention to administration at each location. One effective way to set up a network is to use a hub server at each location to handle communication with hub servers in other locations. Then, only the hub servers, not every server in the network, use WAN connections.

The functionality of Notes workstations and Domino servers depends on the effectiveness and capacity of networks. To plan a Domino network with sufficient capacity, you must consider not only the traffic to and from Domino servers but also any other traffic on the network.

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