www.redbooks.ibm.com - you'll find a rebook on installing Domino on linux.
it will include a sample startup script you can use to auto-start the server.
btw, you need to switch to /local/notesdata, then execute /opt/lotus/bin/server - it must start from the data directory.
jon johnston
creative business solutions
ibm, microsoft partner
http://www.cbsol.com