SIMS + SQL 2005?

[Norphy]

Has anyone tried SIMs with SQL 2005? Does it work? I did ask Capita but they said it was unsupported

Reason I ask is, I've ordered a new SIMS server and a full version of SQL to go with it. I did ask for SQL 2000 media but they sent me 2005. When I set it up, shall I try it with 2005 or should I badger Ramesys to send me the SQL 2000 disk?

[eejit]

I haven't tried it - but no real surprise there. I have to rebuild an XP64 bit OS with 32 bit shortly as SIMS Finance won't work on 64bit :x

[Norphy]

One day, Capita will get rid of all the legacy 16 bit crap in SIMS. Probably won't happen any time soon though :\

[john]

I would badger them for the 2000 disk FOC as you did ask for a 2000 copy, I am sure they will give you it FOC.

[NetworkGeezer]

Yes you should demand the 2000 media because Capita have said on their website that they are unlikely to support 2005 for a while yet.

I also remember that reading somewhere that Capita don't belive the preformance throttling on MSDE is a problem for around 30 odd clients.

[Michael]

Also Capita still don't support SQL 2000 SP4, but only SP3a. I can't see why Sims shouldn't work with SQL 2005, as MS wants customers to migrate to the new product. As Capita don't currently support SQL 2005, I would definitely install SQL 2000

[Norphy]

I also remember that reading somewhere that Capita don't belive the preformance throttling on MSDE is a problem for around 30 odd clients.

Yes, I read the same thing. I'm not convinced however as whenever someone runs a report on Attendance or Assessment Manager or even does timetabling information, the server goes to 100% CPU usage with the SQL process taking it all. It prevents people from logging in and stops people who are in from working. I'm pretty sure its throttling so I thought since I'm building a new SIMS server, a proper version of SQL might as well go on there.

[steve]

We have the full version of SQL 2000 and running Attendance or Assessment Manager still grinds SIMS to a halt with 100% CPU usage.

[metalmonkey]

It's probably not related but worthy of note nonetheless.

If the Exams officer at your school is runnig Submissions, the whole of SIMS SQL will grind to a halt. It's a known 'querk'.

We also thought it was our SIMS server or MSSQL 2000.

Our Exams officer has now agreed to only do submissions after school.

[NetworkGeezer]

We have the full version of SQL 2000 and running Attendance or Assessment Manager still grinds SIMS to a halt with 100% CPU usage.

It all depends on server spec. Something as important as an MIS should go a dedicated server hardware. Lots of GHz, lots of memory, lots of disk space, RAID etc. etc.

[animalboy1968]

i think capita are saying that as of 1 August you will HAVE to be on sql2005. this update, and all future updates, will only support sql2005. so any practice that you can get on sql2005 will be invaluable come the summer. however, if your requirement is urgent then the current release, of sims, will work on sql2005 but it is NOT fully compatible and capita will not support this environment.

my understanding of licensing, which i admit is sadly lacking, is that if you've paid your money then you can install any version that you want. so you may have to pay again for the sql2000 media but i would definitely keep hold of the sql2005 media as you will need it very shortly. obviously, you will have to purchase additional sql licenses depending on what you have already purchased.

[animalboy1968]

i think capita are saying that as of 1 August you will HAVE to be on sql2005. this update, and all future updates, will only support sql2005. so any practice that you can get on sql2005 will be invaluable come the summer. however, if your requirement is urgent then the current release, of sims, will work on sql2005 but it is NOT fully compatible and capita will not support this environment.

my understanding of licensing, which i admit is sadly lacking, is that if you've paid your money then you can install any version that you want. so you may have to pay again for the sql2000 media but i would definitely keep hold of the sql2005 media as you will need it very shortly. obviously, you will have to purchase additional sql licenses depending on what you have already purchased.

[steve]

i think capita are saying that as of 1 August you will HAVE to be on sql2005. this update, and all future updates, will only support sql2005.

The August release will work on both SQL 2000 AND 2005 (and the free versions). This will be the only release supported on both. Releases after August will only work on SQL 2005 / Express.

So in theory you could work with the august release on sql 2000 for sometime after - but everyone needs to upgrade eventually, due to school census changes. These updates will only work on sql 2005 / express.

Migration tools are being created to move from MSDE to Express. Full SQL 2000 users need to assess whether to move to Express and save on licencing, or go to full SQL 2005. Advice and instructions will no doubt be available nearer to the august release.

[projector1]

the sql 2005 lite version of sql is far more powerful than 2000 msde. It is also free aswell and does not have the governor. I read all this an a technet mag a year or so back and was told by our sims support team that 2005 is not supported, looks like thats still the case!

[Heebeejeebee]

Same boat here. I have recently put SIMS on a new server and ordered "full" SQL 2005. I asked for 2000 but was told that the supplier (Ramesys) could not get the 2000 media any more.

I was unsure about putting Backup Exec 11d on this server since it uses 2005 express and I didn't know how SIMS/MSDE 2000 would react so used remote agent to back it up. WOrks fine.

HBJB