Domino Hosting: What to Demand
Domino hosting means that your HCL Domino servers run at a provider and not in your own server room. The provider takes care of operations, backup, updates and monitoring. But hosting is not just hosting. You must make demands on where data lives, how it is secured, and what happens if you want to switch. Here is the list of what you should demand.
Three ways to run Domino
| Model | What does it mean? | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Own server room | You own and run servers and network yourself. | Companies with their own IT department and strong demands for control. |
| Hosting | A provider runs Domino for you on its servers. | Companies that want to avoid operations but keep Notes. |
| Public cloud | Domino runs in for example Azure or AWS. Someone still has to look after it. | Companies that already use a large cloud. |
Whatever the model, someone must look after Domino. That is where a Notes administrator makes the difference.
What to demand of your Domino hosting
1. Data in the EU
Your data should live in the EU. Then you are on safe ground with GDPR. Also ask where the backup lives, and who can access it.
2. Backup that is tested
A backup is only worth something if it can be used. Demand that the provider takes a backup every day. Also demand that it is tested by restoring data. Ask how far back you can go, and how fast you can get a database back.
3. Monitoring around the clock
Faults also happen at night. With server monitoring they are noticed at once. Ask who reacts, and how fast.
4. Fixes on time
HCL ships fixes as a fix pack. They close security holes. Demand that they are installed quickly and as planned. Also demand a plan for moving to new releases such as Notes 2026 and Domino 2027.
5. Certificates that renew themselves
Web and mail in Domino use TLS with certificates. From 15 March 2026 a public certificate may be valid for at most 200 days. In 2027 it becomes 100 days, and in 2029 only 47 days. Then renewing by hand no longer works. Demand that the certificates are renewed fully automatically. Domino has the tool for it built in.
6. Security
Demand a firewall, logging and login in two steps for those who look after the server. Ask how the ACL and users are managed. Also ask how the provider is preparing for quantum safe encryption.
7. Data processing agreement
When a provider looks after your data, it is your data processor. Then you must have a written data processing agreement. Among other things, it must say what the provider may do with the data, how it is secured, and who else helps. It must also say what happens to the data when the agreement ends.
8. SLA and response times
An SLA is an agreement on how well and how fast the provider must deliver. It must say how quickly they react when something goes wrong. It must also say what happens if they do not keep the agreement.
9. A plan for getting out again
You must be able to switch provider or take operations back in house. Demand that you can take all databases, ID files and settings with you. Also demand that the contract says how long it takes and what it costs.
10. Who owns the licences?
Domino licences can be owned by you or by the provider. This is important to know if you want to switch. Read more about HCL Domino licensing.
Checklist for Domino hosting
| Demand | Ask about |
|---|---|
| Data in the EU | Where do the servers and the backup live? |
| Backup | How often, for how long, and when was it last tested? |
| Monitoring | Around the clock? Who reacts? |
| Fixes | How fast is a new fix pack installed? |
| Certificates | Are they renewed automatically? |
| Security | Firewall, logging and login in two steps? |
| GDPR | Can we get a data processing agreement? |
| SLA | How fast do you react, and what happens if you do not? |
| Exit | How do we take everything with us if we switch? |
| Licences | Who owns them? |
What does Domino hosting cost?
The price is usually made up of four parts:
- Servers and storage.
- Backup and monitoring.
- Time for operations, fixes and upgrades.
- Licences, if they are not your own.
Always compare like with like. A cheap price without monitoring and tested backup is not cheap when something goes wrong.
Domino hosting with us
We host Domino for companies. We take care of operations, backup, monitoring and upgrades. You get a fixed contact who knows Notes. We also help with development and with moving mail to Microsoft 365 if you want to. Read also how to choose an HCL Notes partner.
Contact us, and let us talk about your Domino hosting.