Local Replication
December 15 2006 11:00:00 AM
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In the tip What Is Replication I introduced you to the basic concept where: "Replication is the process of keeping databases synchronized. That applies to both the design and the information inside the databases". In this tip I'll explain how replication is not just for servers, but also applies to your Lotus Notes client.
Let's start with a familiar concept. Using your web browser (Mozilla FireFox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer, etc) you type in a URL or click on a link such as http://www.ibm.com, and your browser "opens" the web page for you to see the information. In this case, the web browser is the client, and the web site it is opening comes from a web server.
Lotus Notes works in a similar manner. When you open a Lotus Notes database, your Notes client displays the information stored on the Domino server. However, Lotus Notes offers a huge advantage over web-based applications... you can access information "locally".
A "local replica" of a database allows you to access Notes data stored on your own computer, rather than accessing it on a server across a network connection. This "local access" results in much quicker access times, and most importantly means you can still work when you don't have a network or internet connection. If you are in a meeting room without network access, or on an train/airplane, or at a customer site where you can't access your own company's servers.... with Lotus Notes you can still have all the information you need at your finger tips!
Replication keeps the local databases "synchronized" with the versions on the server.
Say for example, your company uses a Lotus Notes based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The CRM database keeps track of all the information about your clients, their products, history of the meetings you've had with them, and more. If you replicate the CRM database to your laptop, you can now jump in your car and drive to your client's office, and still have all the information you need available while at the meeting. During the meeting you sign a new deal, and you update the information in the CRM database right away. When you get back to the office and connect your laptop, the new information you have entered will automatically replicate to your Domino server. This is much better than waiting until you are back in the office to enter the information.
I have my mail file replicated locally to my laptop, as well as a dozen other Notes databases. There are several discussion forums that I participate in, and by having local replicas I can read and update them at any time. Similarly, I have this blog replicated locally. That means I can write new blog entries or add comments at any time. Then when I have a network connection all the changes I've made, as well as any new comments are synchronized between my client and the server that hosts my blog.
Let's start with a familiar concept. Using your web browser (Mozilla FireFox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer, etc) you type in a URL or click on a link such as http://www.ibm.com, and your browser "opens" the web page for you to see the information. In this case, the web browser is the client, and the web site it is opening comes from a web server.
Lotus Notes works in a similar manner. When you open a Lotus Notes database, your Notes client displays the information stored on the Domino server. However, Lotus Notes offers a huge advantage over web-based applications... you can access information "locally".
A "local replica" of a database allows you to access Notes data stored on your own computer, rather than accessing it on a server across a network connection. This "local access" results in much quicker access times, and most importantly means you can still work when you don't have a network or internet connection. If you are in a meeting room without network access, or on an train/airplane, or at a customer site where you can't access your own company's servers.... with Lotus Notes you can still have all the information you need at your finger tips!
Replication keeps the local databases "synchronized" with the versions on the server.
Say for example, your company uses a Lotus Notes based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The CRM database keeps track of all the information about your clients, their products, history of the meetings you've had with them, and more. If you replicate the CRM database to your laptop, you can now jump in your car and drive to your client's office, and still have all the information you need available while at the meeting. During the meeting you sign a new deal, and you update the information in the CRM database right away. When you get back to the office and connect your laptop, the new information you have entered will automatically replicate to your Domino server. This is much better than waiting until you are back in the office to enter the information.
I have my mail file replicated locally to my laptop, as well as a dozen other Notes databases. There are several discussion forums that I participate in, and by having local replicas I can read and update them at any time. Similarly, I have this blog replicated locally. That means I can write new blog entries or add comments at any time. Then when I have a network connection all the changes I've made, as well as any new comments are synchronized between my client and the server that hosts my blog.
