Start/notes.ini Parameters/Create_R10_Databases

Create_R10_Databases

Parameter: Create_R10_Databases
Short description: Forces newly created or compact -c-converted Notes databases to be created with on-disk structure 53 (R10 ODS). Default: not set. Predecessor of Create_R12_Databases and on a par with the standard method NSF_UpdateODS=1.

Profile

Parameter
Create_R10_Databases
Category
General (database format / on-disk structure)
Component
Server and client
Available since
10.0
Supported versions
10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 14.0, 14.5, 14.5.1
GUI equivalent
notes.ini only (no GUI)
Possible values
0 or missing = default behavior of the respective version (default)
1 = raise new/compacted DBs to ODS 53 (R10)

Description

With Domino 10, ODS 53 was introduced and brought two essential improvements:
  • Folders can contain more than 300,000 documents (previously a hard limit).
  • Databases can grow beyond 64 GB, provided the file system supports it.
Create_R10_Databases=1 activates the R10 behavior:
  • New creations: New NSFs are directly given ODS 53.
  • Compact: load compact -c <db> raises an existing database to ODS 53.
  • Local & server: On the server for server DBs, in the Notes client for local replicas, mail archives, and other local NSFs.
Alternatively, a database can be created explicitly with the extension .ns10 — it is then created in ODS 53 regardless of the notes.ini setting.
When to set to 1?
  • On Domino versions 10.0 / 10.0.1 / 11.0.x, when new DBs should specifically be created in ODS 53.
  • On Notes 10/11 clients, to automatically raise local replicas at the next compact -c.
  • When the R10 improvements (large folders, large DBs) are needed but the server should not yet be raised to 12+.
Note from Domino 12+ onwards: On newer versions, Create_R12_Databases=1 (ODS 55, even more features) or NSF_UpdateODS=1 (always the maximum of the running version) is more sensible. Create_R10_Databases remains functional, however.

Example configuration

Set on the server side and trigger Compact:
Create_R10_Databases=1
Dynamically via console:
set config Create_R10_Databases=1
Then raise existing DBs:
load compact -c
Create a single database explicitly in ODS 53 (alternative method):
Dateiname.ns10

Notes & pitfalls

  • Order matters: First set Create_R10_Databases=1 / execute set config, then run load compact -c. Otherwise Compact runs against the old logic.
  • Prerequisite transaction logging: Without active transaction logging, the Compact upgrade fails in many cases. Enable it, or take DBs out of the logging pool beforehand.
  • No downgrade: ODS 53 cannot be reverted to an older ODS. A backup before the upgrade is mandatory.
  • Mixed cluster: If a cluster partner is still on Domino 9 / 8.5, it cannot open ODS 53 databases. Upgrade the cluster together first.
  • Combination: Do not set in parallel with Create_R85_Databases — that would be contradictory. It also conflicts with Create_R12_Databases (the higher one wins in case of doubt).
  • Best practice from 12+: Instead of Create_RXX_Databases, prefer NSF_UpdateODS=1 — it automatically raises to the current ODS level of the running version, without having to swap the parameter at every major upgrade.
  • Change takes effect immediately after set config — no server restart required. Effect only visible at the next Compact / next database creation.
  • Works on all supported platforms (Windows, Linux, AIX, IBM i, macOS client).

Sources (HCL Product Documentation)