[sims] SIMS backups

[Hedghog]

Hi All,

 

I need to know the steps involved in backing up our SIMS/FMS database. I would ask capita but the LEA hold the licence so they won't talk to me.

The reason I am asking is our SIMS server is hanging by a thread and I need the confidence that we can rebuild SIMS if it fails (I know the LEA are supposed to do this but a school close by has just lost everything)

We are running server 2008 R2.

Any help/instructions would be very much appreciated

[zag]

We use a program called SQLBackupandFTP

 

Works great and automatically uploads the entire DB to a folder, separate server or Google drive account. It runs as a service so you can schedule it nightly or however you want.

 

Best £40 I've ever spent

 

We backup the DocStorage folder seperately. Thats all you need to get it up and running again assuming you know your 'sa' admin credentials.

Edited March 14, 2013 by zag

[Ghostgame]

If your looking at just creating the backup files for the SIMS and FMS you can use dbAttach that comes with SIMS.

 

Once a backup is done it will appear in your backup folder. MSSQL10.(whatever your sims instance is)\mssql\backup

[laserblazer]

Our LEA wrote a nice little script for us. Backs it up to encrypted Zip files.

[Linfit]

You ideally need to back up:

The sims folder (the one with the Setups, SNova,Star etc folders in it). (The SNOVA folder is important as it may have all your timetable files in it !).

The document server store, (usually called DOCSTORAGE)

The SIMS and FMS database files, usually sims.mdf and fms.mdf

The associated log files, sims.ldf and fms.ldf

The ldf and mdf for Discover if you use it.

You can get software that will back up the running SQL databases (we have used the Backup Exec client for doing this in the past) but now we have a script which makes a copy of the database files three time a day and the latest one (done around 4.30pm) is moved to a backup store overnight. The other stuff we just backup using the standard Backup Exec remote client overnight.

Capita provide a utility, dbattach, to allow you to restore a database onto a clean server fairly painlessly. It is documented on SupportNet: I think its default location is in the MSSQL/Binn in the same file tree as your database files can be found.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Linfit

[edutech4schools]

Depending on the version of SQL you have it might have everything you need built in that can backup the databases for you. Look in the start menu on the sql server for sql management, or something like that. If you have this you can get it to do all kind of wizzy things like backing up the databases. If you have this, post back and I will give you step by step help.

[Hedghog]

Hi

Thanks to everyone who replied. Unfortunatly it appears that The LEA have barred any but themselves from doing SIMS backups so I have left it with them to ensure we have an uptodate backup.