How to make a copy of Notes DB directly from the Domino console

Sometimes you need to make a copy of the database (not a replica) to another server or an existing server.

Most of the Notes client uses an option in the File – Application – New Copy. You select the location of the DB name and start creating a copy.

However, when creating a copy from a server to a server, all of the data first goes to your local Notes client and then back to the server. The whole operation will take a lot of time, and your computer and local network will be busy.

You can use the command on the Domino console.

First, add a parameter to the server notes.ini: CLUSTER_ADMIN_ON=1
Servers do not need to be a part of a Domino Cluster

You can now use these commands:
CL copy server1!!dbA.nsf server2!!dbB.nsf
This would create a regular non-replica copy of dbA.nsf on server1 as dbB.nsf on Server2

CL copy dbA.nsf dbB.nsf
This would create a regular non-replica copy of dbA.nsf as dbB.nsf on the same local server

CL copy server1!!dbA.nsf server2!!dbB.nsf REPLICA
This would create a replica copy of dbA.nsf on server1 as dbB.nsf on Server2

CL copy server1!!dbA.nsf server2!!dbB.nsf TEMPLATE
This would create a template copy (only design, no data) of dbA.nsf on server1 as dbB.nsf on Server2

Leave a comment