Lesson 2: Directory Synchronization with Lotus DominoNotes

It is inconvenient to specify NOTES addresses manually, such as Carl Titmouse/First Administrative Group/Blue Sky Airlines@Exchange. The slightest typo in this lengthy address would render messages undeliverable. Consequently, it is desirable to configure directory synchronization with Lotus Domino/Notes to allow users in both systems to conveniently address their messages by selecting references from their respective address books. A properly functioning directory synchronization process can guarantee that messages are addressed correctly and are therefore deliverable.

This lesson explains in more detail how the components of the Connector for Lotus Notes interact to synchronize directory information between Exchange 2000 Server (Active Directory) and Lotus Domino/Notes. It also describes important configuration tasks.


At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Describe the process of directory synchronization with Lotus Notes.
  • Configure the Connector for Lotus Notes for directory synchronization.

Estimated time to complete this lesson: 30 minutes


Directory Synchronization Overview

Directory synchronization with Lotus Domino/Notes is the process of copying recipient information from Active Directory to Domino Directory and vice versa. Either full address information or address updates are processed. Sophisticated directory synchronization is based on address updates to avoid the transfer of redundant data and unnecessary resource consumption.

Directory Synchronization Processes

As mentioned in Lesson 1, the Connector for Lotus Notes uses two processes to synchronize address information between Exchange 2000 Server and Lotus Domino/Notes. The DXAMEX process extracts and imports the information on the Exchange 2000 Server side, and the DXANOTES process accomplishes the same task on the Lotus Domino side (see Figure 28.11).

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Figure 28.11 Directory synchronization with Lotus Domino/Notes

DXANOTES/DXAMEX Interprocess Communication

Directory synchronization with Lotus Domino/Notes relies on a \Temp subdirectory in the Connector directory \Program Files\Exchsrvr\Conndata to temporarily place address information in message interchange format (MIF) files. As shown in Figure 28.11, these files are called DXANOTES.TXT for address information to Domino Directory and DXAMEX.TXT for address information to Active Directory.

Via Active Directory Services Interface (ADSI), the DXAMEX process extracts address information from export containers in Active Directory, formats the address information in MIF, and then fills the DXANOTES.TXT file with the data. The DXANOTES process reads this file, processes the addresses, and places them in the target name and address books on the Domino server. Address synchronization from Domino/Notes to Exchange 2000 Server simply flows in the opposite direction using the DXAMEX.TXT file.

Configuring Directory Synchronization

It is easy to configure directory synchronization with Lotus Domino/Notes, provided that the Connector configuration was tested and found to be working beforehand. Most important, you need to specify an import container where Notes recipients will be placed. One or many export containers can be selected to transfer address information into the Domino Directory. Optionally, you may customize settings for source and target Notes address books and define the directory synchronization schedule.

Importing Address Information

Using Exchange System Manager, you can specify a container to maintain imported recipient objects when you click on the Import Container tab of the Connector object. To select the desired OU, click the Modify button. You should have created a dedicated OU in Active Directory Users and Computers for this purpose. Exchange System Manager will prompt you to grant your Exchange 2000 server account (such as BLUESKY-SRV1) Create and Modify permissions for the selected OU. Click Yes to update the permissions on the import container automatically. You also can determine the type of recipient objects to create in Active Directory if replicated mailboxes do not have accounts in the Windows 2000 domain (i.e., Create A Disabled Windows User Account, Create A New Windows User Account, and Create A Windows Contact).

NOTE


If you change the import container at a later time, do not forget to move affected recipient objects to the new OU to make sure they are updated properly.

Specifying Exported Addresses

To export recipient information to Domino/Notes, specify one or many export containers in the Export Container tab. Similar to import containers, export containers are OUs in Active Directory. It is important to keep in mind that the OU that was specified as an import container must not be included as an export container as well to avoid the creation of redundant recipient objects in the Domino Directory. The machine account of your Exchange 2000 server requires Read permissions on all OUs specified as export containers. Exchange System Manager can grant the required permissions to the server account for you.

You can synchronize Windows contacts for recipients in other messaging environments, such as Lotus cc:Mail, using the Connector of Lotus cc:Mail, when you enable the Export Contacts check box. To synchronize distribution group information, make sure the Export Groups check box is selected. Groups appear as user/contact objects in the target directories. Membership information is not synchronized.

NOTE


The OU, defined as the import container for Notes address information, must not be configured as an export container.

Source and Target Name and Address Books

If your Lotus Domino/Notes network consists of several servers and downstream domains, you should use the Name and Address Book (NAMES.NSF) of the Connector's Lotus Domino server as the source and target name and address book for directory synchronization. This can simplify the configuration because it supports automatic propagation of Exchange-related address information across your Domino/Notes network. However, if you decide to use a different target name and address book, you need to manually ensure that the address information is replicated to all servers and domains. For more information about address book configuration, see the Lotus Domino/Notes R5 product documentation.

To check or define source and target name and address books to be included in directory synchronization, click on the Connector's Dirsync Options tab. Click Address Books Settings to display the Notes Address Books dialog box. In addition to the Default Name And Address Book, you can configure domain-specific address books. In other words, you can split the Exchange address information across multiple Notes address books depending on the foreign domain to which the Exchange user belongs. Users with domain names that are not explicitly specified in the list are still placed in the Default Name And Address Book. Under Source Name And Address Books, you can determine the address books that will be read to retrieve Notes addresses.

NOTE


Splitting Exchange address information across several name and address books other than NAMES.NSF provides flexibility in determining who has access to foreign addresses in Lotus Domino/Notes.

Testing Directory Synchronization

Because directory synchronization processes operate separately from those that handle message transfer, you must test your configuration explicitly. The required controls are in the Connector's Dirsync Options tab. The most important ones are the Immediate Full Reload buttons under Exchange To Notes Directory Synchronization and Notes To Exchange Directory Synchronization. Click them to force the immediate synchronization of all available address information. If the Connector is working properly, you will find associated addresses in the import container and the target name and address books once the synchronization cycle completes.

NOTE


It is good practice to examine the processing phases of the directory synchronization agents in the Exchange Connectivity Administrator right after you click the Immediate Full Reload button.

Scheduling Directory Synchronization

When you are confident that everything works, configure the Connector for automatic directory synchronization. This is disabled by default, but you can enable it by clicking Customize to open the Schedule dialog box, where you can set your individual synchronization schedule or select a predefined schedule from the drop-down menu. It is usually sufficient to synchronize address information once every day, such as daily at midnight. Shorter intervals may be necessary during migration from Lotus Domino/Notes to Exchange 2000 Server.



MCSE Training Kit Exam 70-224(c) Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Implementation and Administration
MCSE Training Kit Exam 70-224(c) Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Implementation and Administration
ISBN: N/A
EAN: N/A
Year: 2001
Pages: 186

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