SIMS Timetable Module for Moodle

[Hightower]

As an institution we are possibly being railroaded into buying Fronter, so I thought we'd take peek moodle to see what it can/can't do and to try and setup something as close to an MLE as we would end up buying.

We're currently taking a look at Moodle also, and I've found it to do so much compared to our current setup (SharePoint). Everything we've wanted we've found in the downloads area.

I'm playing with this SIMS.net thing also, will report back on any breakthroughs.

[Gatt]

@barney

Are there any parts in particular you are stuck at?
The Moodle Docs should be fairly up to date now after my input

[barney]

@barney

Are there any parts in particular you are stuck at?
The Moodle Docs should be fairly up to date now after my input

Yes!

In the documentation Configuring SQL Server 2005
[edit] Add a new view to MS SQL Server is mentioned twice, is this an oversight? I have it in my head moodle doesn't talk directly to the SIMS.Net database and that you create an intermediary or have I dreamt this??? Told you, I've been out the loop on the tech side of things for years now.
Secondly, is FreeTDS 0.64 only required when using Linux??
And thirdly, is the link between moodle and the sims.net databde (or the intermediary database dynamic or does it need to be scheduled?

Many thanks

[CyberNerd]

You do need to add a view to the SQL - the connection from moodle is direct to the SQL database, it is read only so the SQL is safe.
FreeTDS is Linux only - I'm not sure what you need to do a windows connection
The link is live so nothing needs to be schedules unless you want to do autocreation of user accounts.

[Hightower]

How do you test FreeTDS is doing its job? I have followed the steps in the docs and have a table for the timetable with the periods I set, but it is blank.

Also, does the account for Enrolements have to be the 'sa' account or can it be a system managers account?

[CyberNerd]

How do you test FreeTDS is doing its job? I have followed the steps in the docs and have a table for the timetable with the periods I set, but it is blank.

use the tsql command. I know that works on centos/rhel. but I think I read a thread that there was a problem with ubuntu
FreeTDS User Guide

[Hightower]

Have tried that - doesn't work with Ubuntu

[barney]

You do need to add a view to the SQL - the connection from moodle is direct to the SQL database, it is read only so the SQL is safe.
FreeTDS is Linux only - I'm not sure what you need to do a windows connection
The link is live so nothing needs to be schedules unless you want to do autocreation of user accounts.

Thanks, that's quite interesting.
I've followed the instructions and created the templates and setup the external database for the enrolments but alas I can't see any courses. What I can't figure out is where the view created by pasting in the query is referenced. I've actually "run" the view in SQL studio manager and it works but it looks to me like it uses UPN number to indentify students. Therefore would I be right in thinking that we need UPN's in AD too?

[CyberNerd]

Thanks, that's quite interesting.
I've followed the instructions and created the templates and setup the external database for the enrolments but alas I can't see any courses. What I can't figure out is where the view created by pasting in the query is referenced. I've actually "run" the view in SQL studio manager and it works but it looks to me like it uses UPN number to indentify students. Therefore would I be right in thinking that we need UPN's in AD too?

yes, you need to have the UPN data in active directory.
It is the UPN data that is used as a reference point to tie SIMS/AD and moodle together.

Have tried that - doesn't work with Ubuntu

you may need to compile it manually.

[Hightower]

Just to ask again... Does anyone know if it has to be the 'sa' account or can it be an account of a system manager in SIMS?

[barney]

Just to ask again... Does anyone know if it has to be the 'sa' account or can it be an account of a system manager in SIMS?

I would imagine it has to be SA account. SA is root account for the database and it's context within the SQL server. SIMS System admin account if for use with the sims.net application which accesses the SIMS database.

[rpwillis]

You shouldn't really be using UPNs to identify pupils to other systems. You should really be using the admission number. The UPN's purpose is purely tracking of pupils’ movement and progress within the maintained school system in England, not as a general purpose identifier.

From the guidance notes on UPNs at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/11...ate%202007.rtf

• the UPN to be as far as possible a ‘blind number’, held by schools on the pupil's electronic record, and only output when required to provide information to the LA, to the Department or other central agencies (e.g. QCA/NAA), or to another school to which the pupil is transferring. The UPN should not be regarded as an automatic adjunct to the pupil's name, routinely appearing on any record or document relating to them;

• schools should not enter UPNs on pupils' paper files or on any other physical documents, including admission and attendance registers, and should continue to use the admission number, not the UPN, as a general pupil reference number within the school.

Richard

[Hightower]

Ok, now I gotsa find out the 'sa' password - hmmmm

[barney]

Ok, now I gotsa find out the 'sa' password - hmmmm

was SIMS installed by your Local Authority? If so, ring them and say you need it. Alternatively, it may actually be blank

[Hightower]

Found the password, set it - and still get a blank timetable.

Any ideas?