[SIMS] Setting up a test from backup

[itgeek]

Hi I would like to setup a vm to test my sims.net backups. Please could you tell me if I could use the free version on sql and how I would do this please?


Thansk

[matt40k]

Yes, you can use SQL2008 Express, assuming your SIMS database isn't huge. Pretty much copy your setups directory onto a VM - make sure Windows is installed and fully updated. Then run SIMSInfrastructureSetup.exe then CCSSQLExpressInst and finally SIMSINST. Assuming your setups are up-to-date, that's pretty much it. Then you just backup a copy of your SIMS database etc and restore it onto the vm.

[NorthernSands]

Just running SIMSInst.exe on it's own will install everything that's needed. It calls the other files as and when. This will also install SQL 2008 Express during the process. Incidentally, I've had an 8GB SIMS DB running fine in SQL Express (just for me, though).

If you're using a copy of your existing DB, then, as Matt40K says, produce an on the fly backup, then restore it once your new server is set up (i.e. don't attach the DB during the install process, nor set up a new one). If using your DB, I would run SIMS and import the latest reports so that the Doc Storage file structure is set up for you. Then paste in the copy of all your Doc Storage files and overwrite the reports that were just imported.

It is often beneficial to use the latest install CD. As Matt40K alluded, SIMSInst can be a few years out of date on some servers.

[woodham]

Has anyone got the download link for the full version of sims.net spring 2011? please I've had a search on support net but cant find it

thanks

Andy

[vikpaw]

I have it, it's in the release notification that was emailed to me. It's not supposed to be public so best kept to pm, or find it on SupportNet. The release is open to download, but is password protected. Try KB108477

Do you need the latest update CD or are you looking for an installable? I recently downloaded the latest installable that will give a blank sims setup, it was the spring 2010. Contact your support team for that link.

@itgeek - that installable, might be the easiest bet for you, then you just need to copy over around 12 setup files that upgrade the db from spring 10 up to the present version of your db.

[woodham]

thats the info i was looking thank you,
so i need to do spring 2010(clean install) then summer/autumn2010 then the spring2011 updates, why cant they just repackage each release into installer and upgrade it cant be that hard...

[vikpaw]

You don't have to do it that way, and you don't need the inbetween steps.

The reason for clean installer, is that you clear out all old setup files and it's nice and neat, plus it puts in a blank database for you as though you're starting from scratch, though it does give options to attach your own or do more complex stuff. I don't think you get those options in a basic upgrade ISO.

To bypass the updates, you just plonk the inbetween setup files into the setups folder and it will run them when you next try to load sims (that's the simsload bit doing its thing). If you don't do this, then you can't restore your backup file and run it, as they'll be on different versions.

Once you're up to speed on a test system with your data, on the current release you're on, then you can use the spring update and update your install.

At least that's how i did it, and was in comms with a capita tech through the process. You could just do as suggested by the other guys, and rely on your old setups folder, but mine is messy and goes back to 2003!

I can mail you a list of files on saturday when i get back to work if you like.

[woodham]

hi Vikpaw

that would be very helpful

we have the spring update on our live server i just need to get it running on a test/play vm as part of a migration to hyper-v

Thanks

Andy

[vikpaw]

I've got the list, so i'll put it below, but in actual fact it's is easier the way you described. Then you don't have to worry about copying files and stuff. I was mistaken, just running that inbetween update is the same as copying the files in the list and plonking them there, so you may as well use the update iso for summer/autumn 10 as it's easier.

Basically, you just need the upgrades that go between spring 10 and the present version. I think this list is up to November 11, whatever version that was, i missed out a few. The Spring 11 CD takes you up to 3.61.721 to 3.61.722 as the final upgrade file, so your files should go this high if you're already on SIMS.

The files at the bottom are just the latest versions of the installers.

·         3.61.610 to 3.61.615 Upgrade
·         3.61.610 to 3.61.615 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.615 to 3.61.628 Upgrade
·         3.61.615 to 3.61.628 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.628 to 3.61.642 Upgrade
·         3.61.628 to 3.61.642 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.642 to 3.61.643 upgrade
·         3.61.642 to 3.61.643 upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.643 to 3.61.664 Upgrade
·         3.61.643 to 3.61.664 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.664 to 3.61.665 Upgrade
·         3.61.664 to 3.61.665 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.665 to 3.61.668 Upgrade
·         3.61.665 to 3.61.668 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.668 to 3.61.669 Upgrade
·         3.61.668 to 3.61.669 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.669 to 3.61.670 Upgrade
·         3.61.669 to 3.61.670 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.670 to 3.61.698 Upgrade
·         3.61.670 to 3.61.698 Upgrade.zip.signature
·         3.61.698 to 3.61.700 Upgrade
·         3.61.698 to 3.61.700 Upgrade.zip.signature
 
·         NovaSatelliteSetup.exe
·         NovaSatelliteSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSAMPARKSetup.exe
·         SIMSAmparkSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSApplicationSetup.exe
·         SIMSApplicationSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSCentralServerSetup.exe
·         SIMSCentralServerSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSInfrastructureSetup.exe
·         SIMSInfrastructureSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSManualSetup.exe
·         SIMSManualSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSSQLApplicationSetup.exe
·         SIMSSQLApplicationSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSSQLInfrastructureSetup.exe.signature
·         SIMSSQLInfrastructureSetup.exe

EDIT: Actually, looking at my test install, reverted back to spring 10 clean, has files from 3.61.610 through to 3.61.664, and exploring spring 11 iso, it goes back that far, so you could just run the latest spring direct and it should work. have a play.

[woodham]

thanks for the list

Andy

[vikpaw]

Andy,
I just did another test, and as i thought, you don't actually need the list.

Spring Clean () Install 2010 = 7.128
Restored my db .bak file Summer 10 = 7.132 - but can't login in yet as database is incompatible.
Run Spring Update 2011 = 7.138 - All working perfectly, on latest version.

No need for any messing around.

[woodham]

that sound even better

will give it a try next week when they are all off and i have some time to play arround with it.

[NorthernSands]

I'm having to migrate our DB to a new server this week or next, too. We have some strange problems that aren't the DB (SIMS crashes entering brand new addresses), and the current Setups folder won't accept the Spring 2011 update from SOLUS. I was hoping to use the Spring 2011 install CD, but it hasn't been released yet. Hopefully this week or next!

[vikpaw]

@NorthernSands - spring 11 iso is out, i used it yesterday and most of last week. The link is on Capita SupportNet, KB108477

I'm currently having hassles with a new server install. Everything works fine on the standalone test server including FMS. It's not domained or anything.
When i try to connect a client it has issues. The client was a domained machine, but i remapped the S drive and gave it the right password etc. Install of SIMS and FMS is fine, but it just gives the reason 0 ( argh!! ) error.

I tried domaining the server, but i think that could cause problems now, as it should have been domained before all installs happened. Either way, still getting the same problem, yet it works on the server itself.

Just trying to go through the various troubleshoots ..

[NorthernSands]

@vikpaw That's the update CD, not the install CD (which is what I'm waiting for). Janet A isn't around until tomorrow, so I'll hopefully found out the planned release date. I'll then be able to decide whether to wait, or start from Spring 2010.

Regarding your, er, interesting problem, the only thing I can think off is the dns suffix search order; is the Domain's domain name in the list on the server? I've just had so many weird problems caused by that. You could also try ignoring the shared drive and used IP address based UNC paths instead.