UPGRADING TO LOTUS NOTES 6 AND LOTUS DOMINO 6

The upgrade roadmap
The following task list includes typical tasks for upgrading an existing Lotus Notes/Domino system to Lotus Notes/Domino 6. Upgrading a mission-critical system requires careful planning. As you perform the tasks, track the problems that arise and their solutions, then compile them into a "best practices" database or Web site that you can share with your organization. Note that you may not find all of the following tasks applicable to your organization.

1. Review the Lotus Domino Administrator 6 Help and the Release Notes to familiarize yourself with changes and to determine which new features you want to implement.

For more information about changes and new features, see the topics New Domino server and Domino Administrator client features and Domino server and Domino Administrator client enhancements.

2. Create a prioritized list of all servers and clients, then create a schedule for upgrading them.

For information about planning your upgrade, see the topic Planning the upgrade.

3. Identify servers and clients that need upgraded hardware, operating system software, and network software. Refer to the Release Notes for the latest system and platform requirements.

4. Obtain approval for any necessary hardware and software. Before you upgrade the servers or clients, install the new hardware or software. You may want to consider consolidation of servers and functionality.

5. Determine the distribution method for Lotus Domino 6 server and Lotus Notes 6 client software. Remote site coordinators require server software. If users upgrade their own clients, the users require client software.

6. Determine the method for upgrading Notes clients and mail file templates. You have several options for upgrading both the client and mail file template, including Upgrade-by-mail.

For more information about Upgrade-by-mail, see the topic Using Upgrade-by-mail.

7. Create an upgrade schedule. The schedule includes a list of upgrade tasks, who will complete the tasks, and when the tasks will be completed.

8. Set up a testing environment that includes Domino 6 and Domino 4.6 or Domino 5 servers and clients. Use the environment to test your custom applications and new features that you want to implement. Separate the test environment for your current Lotus Notes/Domino production environment to avoid potential problems.

9. Create an application testing plan. This plan includes which applications to test and designates testers.

For more information about testing applications, see the topic Testing applications before upgrading.

10. Test applications in the test environment to ensure that they function properly. Review system templates that you customized to determine whether or not the customizations are necessary in Lotus Notes/Domino 6. Test the Domino Directory for authentication and access to existing applications.

11. Create a list of applications that you want to upgrade. Use the information found during testing to create this list.

12. When you complete your testing, notify your organization's Domino administrators and database managers of your upgrade plans.

13. Upgrade the first Domino server, Domino Directory or Public Address Book, and the Domino Administrator client.

For more information about upgrading Domino servers, see the topic Upgrading a Domino server to Domino 6.

14. Replicate the Domino 6 Domino Directory throughout your domain. The Domino 6 directory design is compatible with both Domino 4.6 and Domino 5 servers.

For more information about upgrading the Domino Directory, see the topic Upgrading the Domino Directory.

15. Upgrade the remaining servers in your domain. Use your server upgrade order in your upgrade schedule. At this time, make sure to monitor servers and to troubleshoot any problems that arise.

16. Notify users of the Notes client upgrade.

17. Upgrade Notes clients. Use the order you specified in the upgrade schedule. Make sure to monitor clients and to troubleshoot any problems that arise.

For more information about upgrading Notes clients, see the topic Upgrading Notes clients .

18. Notify users of the mail file template upgrade.

19. Upgrade mail file templates. Make sure to monitor the mail databases and to troubleshoot any problems that arise.

For more information about upgrading mail file templates, see the topic Upgrading Notes mail files .

20. Upgrade the applications identified in your testing. This includes upgrading the database format to the Domino 6 format and rebuilding views.

For more information about upgrading applications, see the topic Upgrading databases and applications.

21. Implement new features.

See Also