Quickr for Domino Administration: Qpconfig.xml, Notes.ini, Connectors, and You

1. Quickr for Domino Administration: Qpconfig.xml, Notes.ini, Connectors, and You Keith Brooks Vanessa Brooks

2. Why a Session on Quickr? • New admins do not understand Quickr at first • Domino.Doc customers were told to move to Quickr • Quickr integrates with Connections • Quickr for Domino has a planned future • I co-authored a book on Quickr Administration this year and the items we will discuss are what were most important to people 1

3. You Are on Notice 2

4. In This Session … • We will discuss: • What the Notes.ini has to do with a Quickr server • Why the qpconfig.xml is so important to Quickr • How to push the connectors out to the users 3

5. What We’ll Cover … • Quickr Administration Basics • The Notes.ini Influence • The Qpconfig.xml Customizations • Connectors Configurations • Wrap-up 4

6. Adventures in Quickr Administration • Domino-based, but not your normal administration • There are no IBM admin tools, however business partner tools do exist: • SNAPPS – Snappfiles, PandaBear, Flippr, Anyplace Quickr Tools, SNAPPS Templates, SNAPP-On Modules for Quickr • RPR Wyatt – Essential Place Catalog, Essential File Extractor • Opus Neo – Neo.Dashboard, Neo.Tracking, Neo.RoomManager, Neo.AccessReporter, Neo.QPMailin 5

7. Adventures in Quickr Administration (cont.) • A little more “babysitting” is required • Set up site managers and train them like admins • Nothing but the Web ... to users • To the admin it’s Web, Domino, and OS quirks • Even the pros don’t always get it right • Too many “anyone ever do/see this type posts” 6

8. What Are the Basics a Quickr Admin Needs to Do • Think ahead • Cluster? Email addressing? External users? Attachment sizes? Connectors? Disk space? FTI? Logging? • Think about archiving and how to manage dead or old sites • Constantly improve performance and tweak everything • Create a logic for site owners to follow • Backup the qpconfig.xml and notes.ini regularly • Stay on top of the HotFix updates • Seek out other Quickr admins 7

9. What We’ll Cover … • Quickr Administration Basics • The Notes.ini Influence • The Qpconfig.xml Customizations • Connectors Configurations • Wrap-up 8

10. No, This Book Does Not Exist ... But It Should 9

11. Quickr Areas Covered by the Notes.ini • Client logging settings • Offline settings • Other miscellaneous settings • Server logging settings • Web page cache settings 10

12. Performance Tuning Your Notes.ini • Remove unnecessary tasks: Really only needs HTTP • Clustered should be: • ServerTasks=HTTP, AdminP, Replica,CLREPL,CLDBDIR • Remove: ServerTasksAt4=qptool refresh -a,qptool report –policyexecute,qptool register -pts • Set as a program document instead with your time preferences • Remove: qptool placecatalog push -a • Set as a program document instead with your time preferences • Add: HTTPJVMMaxHeapSize=256M (Controls the max heap size of JVM) • Add: QuickPlaceWebCacheEnabled=1 (if not there by default) • Enables the cache • 0 disables it 11

13. Performance Tuning Your Notes.ini (cont.) • Add: UPDATE_SUPPRESSION_TIME=90 (or 120 if you can get away with it) • The Update Task (indexer) maintains two work queues: An immediate queue and a deferred queue • Deferred update requests are held for 15 minutes before they are processed so that requests to update the same database in that time are ignored as duplicate requests • Updater queues can grow if the server has a high update rate because of heavy database use • Use this variable to specify the length of time that deferred update requests are held in queue • n - length of time in queue in minutes • -n - (negative value) length of time in queue in seconds • Add: UPDATERS=4 (or a number equal to or one less than your number of CPUs) 12

14. Notes.ini Settings — Cache Options • QuickPlaceWebCacheDir=<pathname> • Sets the cache directory • Uses the full file path name of the directory • If this variable is omitted, the server cache is automatically set to the default directory NOTESPROGRAM>\data\cache • QuickPlaceWebCacheGCIntervalInMIN=<minutes> • Sets the time interval for cache cleaning • QuickPlaceWebCacheLimitInMB=<MB> • Sets the cache size limit in MB • If you enter a number of zero or leave it out, the cache size limit defaults to 50MB 13

15. Notes.ini Settings — Cache Options (cont.) • QuickPlaceWebCacheLogging=<n> • Sets the cache logging level, which determines how detailed log messages will be • Acceptable values are 1, 2, or 3; where 1 is the least detailed and 3 is the most detailed • QuickPlaceWebCacheUsers=<value> • Defines which users will be affected by caching • By default, server caching applies to all users when the cache is enabled • To set the cache for anonymous users only, enter QuickPlaceWebCacheUsers=Anonymous 14

16. What We’ll Cover … • Quickr Administration Basics • The Notes.ini Influence • The Qpconfig.xml Customizations • Connectors Configurations • Wrap-up 15

17. Words to Live By ... 16

18. The Qpconfig.xml Customizations • QP from Quickplace, never changed it • The file sits in the Domino\Data directory • Called qpconfig_sample.xml • Make a copy, then edit it • Be careful when editing the file, XML errors can occur • Test the xml file by opening it up in IE • It will report an error if any exists on the page • The file includes remarks and provides what is the default setting • So many options, easier to discuss inside the file, so let’s go to the file! 17

19. The Qpconfig.xml Performance Thoughts • Use an extra place view, which was introduced in Quickr 8.5 on Domino, to speed up the openMyPlace transaction • Locate the load_balance_places_view element in the place_catalog entry in the qpconfig.xml file and set its attribute enabled=“true” • <place_catalog enabled="true" log_level="0">.... • <load_balance_places_view enabled="true"/> • Disable checking for whether Lotus Quickr Connector is installed on the users’ systems • Locate the roundTripEdit element in the connectors entry in the qpconfig.xml file and set its attachment enabled=“never” • <connectors> • <roundTripEdit enabled="never" /> • </connectors> 18

20. What We’ll Cover … • Quickr Administration Basics • The Notes.ini Influence • The Qpconfig.xml Customizations • Connectors Configurations • Wrap-up 19

21. Connectors 101 20

22. Quickr Connectors 8.5.0.6 Is the Latest and Includes … • The Lotus Symphony connector, standalone and embedded • Installing connectors on Windows Vista/Windows 7 when User Account Control (UAC) is on • Installing connectors on Windows 7 • Migrating connector preferences during an upgrade • Simple and Protected GSS-API Negotiation Mechanism (SPNEGO) From Fix Central latest version, April 28, 2011: Lotus Quickr Connectors 8.5 HF6, Quickr 8.5.1 FP4 21

23. Quickr Connectors 8.5.0.2 Included Support For ... • Lotus Quickr for Domino 8.5 • Lotus Notes 8.5.2 • Lotus Sametime Standard 8.5 • Backwards compatibility with Lotus Quickr for WebSphere Portal 8.1.1.1 • Backwards compatibility with Lotus Quickr for Lotus Domino 8.2 • Extensive additional testing and fixes against all server back ends 22

24. Connector Options for Installation • There are two ways to install the connectors to the desktops • Manual: Users can download the connector installer from the Quickr server • Silent: Administrators can “push” the install package to client desktops using desktop management software to silently install the connectors • BMC (Marimba) • Tivoli Configuration Manager • MS System Configuration 23

25. Configuring Silent Installation: Step 1 • Click Download from the IBM Lotus Quickr connectors section of the footer • Save the install file qkrconn.exe to your computer • Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory where you saved the qkrconn.exe file • Make sure all applications such as Lotus Notes, Lotus Sametime, Microsoft Office/Outlook, and Lotus Symphony are closed before performing the following silent commands 24

26. Configuring Silent Installation: Step 2 • Type qkrconn.exe /Options(s) [Property settings] • The optional parameters are listed below: 25

27. Configuring Silent Installation: Step 3, Parameter Options • The optional parameters are listed below: • Public property [PROPERTY=PropertyValue] Description • INSTALLDIR Directory that connectors will be installed in • For example, INSTALLDIR=C:\\Progra~1\\IBM\\QuickrConnectors • ADDLOCAL Specify which connector to install • By default, if you do not specify the ADDLOCAL property, all connectors are installed except for the Notes Embedded Symphony • ADDLOCAL=ALL installs all • WindowsExplorer (required) • MicrosoftOffice (for Microsoft Office) • MicrosoftOutlook (for Microsoft Outlook) 26

28. Configuring Silent Installation: Step 3, Parameter Options (cont.) • The optional parameters are listed below: (cont.) • LotusSametime (for Lotus Sametime Standalone Edition) • LotusNotes (for Lotus Notes and Sametime Embedded) • LotusSymphonyStandalone (for Lotus Symphony Standalone Edition) • LotusSymphonyEmbedded (for Lotus Symphony embedded in Lotus Notes) 27

29. Configuring Silent Installation Step 3, More Parameter Options • QC_NOTES_TARGET_FOLDER When installing the place connector for Lotus Notes, specifies where Lotus Notes is installed • This property is optional • For example:QC_NOTES_TARGET_FOLDER=C:\\Notes • QC_NOTES_NOTES_INI_PATH When installing the place connector for Lotus Notes Single User Install (SUI), specifies where notes.ini is placed • This property is optional • For example, QC_NOTES_NOTES_INI_PATH=C:\Notes\notes.ini 28

30. Configuring Silent Installation Step 3, More Parameter Options (cont.) • QC_SAMETIME_TARGET_FOLDER When installing connector for Lotus Sametime, specifies where Lotus Sametime is installed • This property is optional • For example: QC_SAMETIME_TARGET_FOLDER=C:\\progra~1\\IBM\\Sametime • QC_SYMPHONY_TARGET_FOLDER When installing connector for Lotus Symphony Standalone Edition, specifies where it is installed • This property is optional • For example: QC_SYMPHONY_TARGET_FOLDER=C:\\progra~1\\IBM\\Lotus\\Symphony 29

31. Silent Install Syntax Examples • Silent uninstall with no restart • qkrconn.exe /uninstall /quiet /norestart • Silent install with no restart and settings for Lotus Notes and Lotus Sametime • qkrconn.exe /install /quiet /norestart • QC_NOTES_TARGET_FOLDER=C:\\notes • QC_SAMETIME_TARGET_FOLDER=C:\\progra~1\\IBM\\Sametime • The QC_ properties are required due to the user interface providing the option for changing any registry-discovered values first 30

32. Troubleshooting Silent Installations • The installation will fail if you have installed one of the newer versions of the Quickr connectors, are unable to update the connectors via an unattended installation, and you are using the ADDLOCAL command, such as: • qkrconn.exe /install /quiet ADDLOCAL=WindowsExplorer,MicrosoftOffice • Use the following line instead: • qkrconn.exe /install /quiet REINSTALL=WindowsExplorer,MicrosoftOffice • For a new installation, you still need to use ADDLOCAL instead of REINSTALL • Your software distribution package should check if a connector is already installed and use the correct parameter 31

33. Pre-Configuring Users’ Desktops with Connector Content • Administrators can use the QuickrConfig tool to export and import a place list from one system to another • The tool can be run by • An end user • Deployment script • The tool can be used optionally to export and import user preferences as well as global defaults and policies so that users can run the tool to backup their configuration in the event that they need to run a clean install of the connectors 32

34. Pre-Configuring Users’ Desktops with Connector Content (cont.) • The QuickrConfig tool is installed as part of the core code with the Lotus Quickr Connectors installation • It consists of two files: QuickrCfg.exe and QKRCOM.dll • The QKRCOM.dll is a self-registering .dll file registered by the installer • If the .dll file is not registered, the tool will not work • An administrator can deploy these files to a machine with an older version of the connectors, or without the connectors installed, and then just register QKRCOM.dll (regsvr32 QKRCOM.dll) 33

35. Configuring Connector Content Options 34

36. Configuring Connector Content via Exporting • Access the default location of the Lotus Quickr Connectors, typically: • C:\Program Files\IBM\Places Connectors • To export all servers, places, policies, preferences, and global defaults to a specified file, enter a command similar to the following: • QuickrCfg -export myQuickr.xml • To perform a full export to myQuickr.xml and overwrite the file (if it exists), enter: • QuickrCfg -export -overwrite myQuickr.xml If no file is specified, the default file name QuickrCfg.xml is used. If the file specified already exists, the operation will abort. You can overwrite the file with the -overwrite option. 35

37. Configuring Connector Content via Importing • Access the default location of the Lotus Quickr Connectors, typically: • C:\Program Files\IBM\Places Connectors. • To import everything in the specified file, enter a command similar to the following example: • QuickrCfg -import myQuickr.xml • To import servers and places from a pre-existing configuration file and merge the information into the existing configuration, as well as to have the tool provide full output, enter: • QuickrCfg -import -noprefs -nopolicies -nodefaults -merge -verbose myQuickr.xml The default imports everything in the specified file. Server and place list entries will be added into the existing configuration. If duplicate servers/places exists, they will not be merged. 36

38. Demo 37

39. What We’ll Cover … • Quickr Administration Basics • The Notes.ini Influence • The Qpconfig.xml Customizations • Connectors Configurations • Wrap-up 38

40. Resources • RPR Wyatt’s Essential Quickr Tools • www.rprwyatt.com/EssentialQuickrTools.html • Opus Neo Neo.Dashboard for Quickr • www.opusneo.com/neodashboard • SNAPP-On Modules for Lotus Quickr from SNAPPS • www.snapps.com/snaweb.nsf/0/8a8d710514c46a9b86256e8c007993c4 • How to install and Configure Quickr from Michael Urspringer • http://wiki.urspringer.de/doku.php/qfaq/tutorials_howtos_etc/installing_quickr85 • Moving places and other items in IBM Lotus Quickr services for Domino • www.lotus.com/ldd/lqwiki.nsf/dx/moving-places-and-other-items-in-lotus-quickr-services-for-domino • Performance Tuning Quickr 8.5 from Quickr Wiki • www.lotus.com/ldd/lqwiki.nsf/dx/Performance_Tuning_Guide_Lotus_Quickr_8.5_for_Domino 39

41. Resources (cont.) • Quickr Clustering Wiki Page • www.lotus.com/ldd/lqwiki.nsf/dx/Best_Practices_for_setting_up_Quickr_Clustering • Fergal McKenna, “Connectors, Deployment & Troubleshooting Document” (IBM). • www.lotus.com/ldd/lqwiki.nsf/xsp/.ibmmodres/domino/OpenAttachment/ldd/lqwiki.nsf/140F5540A196597485257654006BFB43/attach/Connectors-Deployment%2520and%2520Troubleshooting.odp • Pre-configuring User Desktops with Connector Content • www.lotus.com/ldd/lqwiki.nsf/dx/Preconfiguring_users_desktops_with_connector_content_qc85 40

42. Resources (cont.) • Notes.ini Settings • www.lotus.com/ldd/lqwiki.nsf/dx/notes.ini_settings_qd851 • Keith Brooks, David Byrd, Mark Harper, Olusola Omosaiye, IBM Lotus Quickr 8.5 for Domino Administration (Packt Publishing, 2011). • http://amzn.to/lU5WSs 41

43. 7 Key Points to Take Home • Quickr can be the greatest tool, but first learn what to do • Notes.ini controls the Domino-related functions • Qpconfgig.xml controls the core Quickr functions • Connectors can be controlled and automated, with a little effort • You control your environment, use the tools, buy some tools, have developers write some tools • Quickr for Domino has a good few years ahead of it • Invest in it now to get the greatest benefits over time • RTFM, really, ok, the IBM Wiki sites

44. Your Turn! How to contact me: Keith Brooks keith@vanessabrooks.com 43