SIMS at Home

[kmount]

I mean't that if you were running services on say ports 21, 22, 80, and 3306 on the VPN, you wouldn't need to open those ports to the world in addition to the VPN port.

I stand corrected nonetheless.

[matt40k]

Just install Terminal services, slap in the web based client.

The problem with VPN is that the TUNNEL is secure, but the end point might not be, with terminal you just secure your stuff and don't work about the endpoint (ie staff computer). Also you've got issue with the fact staff need MS Office at home for SIMS reports to work, terminal, you'll have it on the server.

As for reason 0; see Capita KB72254.

Fix 1
The machine may be pointing to a incorrect networked Connect.ini file and therefore cannot see any SQL Server or Database. Delete the Connect.ini from e.g. C:\Program files\SIMS\SIMS .net and then run SIMS .net and select the correct Connect.ini from e.g. S:\SIMS or alternatively create a local connect.ini and enter the correct SQL Server and Database name.
Fix 2
Stop and Restart SQL Server - The SQL Server may not be running
Fix 3
The error can also be an indication that the upgrade has been run, but has been unsuccessful.
Please check the version of SIMSSQLApplicationsetup.exe in the setups folder is 1.558.12 (for August 2007 release) or 1.0560 (for September 2007 release) then run this to upgrade to version of DBupgrade which should be 2.11.10.24603
Then run Dbupgrade.exe manually from e.g. D:\Program files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Binn
The list of upgrade files will be shown or there may be a message about a User already logged in. If Users are detected, a Force All will need to be run to exit the Users out of SIMS to allow the upgrade to commence (requiring the SA logon credentials). This Force All option will appear automatically if Users are detected as being logged in.
Fix 4
If fix 3 does not resolve the issue please run SIMSApplicationsetup.exe from the setups folder
Fix 5
If the error still occurs and you installed SQL 2005, but not via one of our installers then please follow KB71936
Fix 6
This error can also be caused by a corrupt user in the users table. If all other users can login to the system OK please re-create the user that is getting reason 0
Fix 7
Please reboot the server and try logging in to SIMS.net
Fix 8 THIS IS ONLY RELEVANT IF PASSWORDS HAVE BEEN RESET
This problem may be due to the Domain Control settings policy with the School.
The reason for this is because the school's policy does not allow the password to be reset more than a certain number of times within a specific time-frame.
This issue will be resolved in the June 08 release. (only if Reason 0 occurs after resetting passwords)
This problem will need to be resolved on the domain server prior to running the June 08 release
Fix 9
Check there is sufficient space on the partition where SQL is installed. Also check the system partition has sufficient space as temporary files can be created during the backup.

Check the size of the SQL Log file eg SIMS.LDF. If excessively large use SHRINKDBLOG.BAT to shrink the log file.

[Gatt]

Right checked the ISA server this morning - SQL Server wasn't configured to allow SQL servers through the VPN -opened that up now and gonna retry tonight.

Easiest way to run SIMS from home is with Windows 2008's Remote Apps as it uses the RDP protocol.. but dont have a server that can cope with that at present - trying to get one spare though

[dhicks]

Also you've got issue with the fact staff need MS Office at home for SIMS reports to work, terminal, you'll have it on the server.

But, if I understand the way licensing works for MS Office, it's the client machine needs to be licensed for Office - the TS server itself needn't be (although it would have MS Office installed). You'd think that, by now, Microsoft could just offer all-in-one CALs or something.

I'm just looking at how to let people access files / SIMS / etc from home, too. So far my favourite option is port-forwarding with SSH.

--
David Hicks

[moggy]

We haven't started yet, but our plan for home access is to use Citrix Secure Gateway into our Citrix/Server 2003 server.

The MS Office client licencing issue is a real pain in the nether regions. We are favouring the idea of getting the end user to sign a declaration stating that they posses a suitable MS Office licence for the client PC.

Any views on this?

[vikpaw]

Just had a similar issue, while trying to use SIMS over VPN:

Failed to login reason 0.

The way we fixed it was to find the sims.ini file in C:\Windows and change the path of the sims setups directory to use a mapped drive (S in our case). All other references were using the S drive including the connect.ini

It was a machine that unfortunately needed updating and so is now killing the PC while it updates. Damn, should have used the upgrade handler program to capture that eventuality!

I've used SIMS over VPN before and it is rather slow even with a good broadband connection. It's much quicker to remote desktop to a local terminal and run it remotely, it also alleviates the issue of upgrading from afar.

Nonetheless, hopefully the info might help someone.

[kmount]

It also saves personal data ever leaving the site as with TS it's kept afar.

Still, I've experienced what you're speaking of, and it's not pleasant with the size of the updates!

[vikpaw]

LOL - It's still going!
It's so much quicker to unplug the machine drive to work, update and then drive back again.

[kmount]

Or leave it til tomorrow

[joe90bass]

Interesting topic! I'm just starting the ball rolling with discussions on SIMS access from home. I'm not even entertaining VPN, too much hassle with issues on users home PCs, LEA, etc! As we already have three 2008 terminal servers in school I'll be looking at using one of them with SIMS client installed on, or possible using remote apps.