REFERENCE

Running server tasks
Server tasks perform complex administration procedures -- for example, compacting databases and updating indexes. You can run a server task manually, by loading the task at the server console or by using the IBM® Lotus® Domino® Administrator Task - Start tool, Server menu, or the Administrator console. Or you can run the task automatically when the server starts by adding the name of the task to the ServerTasks or ServerTasksAt settings in the NOTES.INI file. In addition, you can create a Program document in the Domino Directory to run a task at scheduled intervals.

In addition to the server tasks that Domino supplies, you can write and run custom tasks that are stored as Microsoft® Windows® batch files, UNIX® shell scripts or programs, and API programs.

From the local server console


From the Domino Administrator server console

1. From the Domino Administrator, open the console for the server on which the program runs by clicking Console on the Server - Status tab.

2. In the Server console command field, type:


From the Domino Administrator Start - Task tool

1. From the Domino Administrator click the Server - Status tab.

2. Click Server Tasks.

3. Open the set of Task tools.

4. Click Start.

5. In the Start New Task box, select a server task from the list. Select advanced options to specify additional parameters.

6. Click Start Task.

In the NOTES.INI file

Many tasks run, by default, at specific times. You can schedule additional tasks to run by editing one of these settings in the NOTES.INI file:


In a Program document

To run a task on a server at a regularly scheduled time or at server startup, create a Program document in the Domino Directory. You can also use a Program document to run a UNIX® shell script or program, or an API program.

If you create a UNIX shell script or API program, you can use any of these characters for the name: A - Z, 0 - 9, & - . _ ' / (ampersand, dash, period, space, underscore, apostrophe, forward slash). Do not use \ (backslash) or any other characters because this can cause unexpected results.

1. From the Domino Administrator, open the Domino Directory. Go to the Servers view, and open the Server document.

2. Choose Create - Server - Program.

3. On the Basics tab, complete these fields:
FieldEnter
Program nameThe name of the server task you want to run.
Command lineThe command that starts the task, including any arguments to the command.
Server to run onThe full hierarchical name of the server on which to run the task.
CommentsA program description or additional information.
4. Click the Schedule tab, and then complete these fields:
FieldEnter
Enabled/disabledChoose one:
  • Startup to run the program only when the server starts.
  • Enabled to schedule the task to run at specific times.
Run at timesThe first time of day you want the task to run.
Repeat interval ofThe number of minutes before the task should run again.
Days of weekThe days of the week when the task will run.
5. (Optional) Click Administration, and then enter the names of additional owners/administrators.

6. Close and save the document.

Tip To view all tasks scheduled to run on a server, use the Show Schedule command.

Related topics