[sims] Sims requirements

[caffrey]

Just learnt that our school has signed up for sims, ready to be installed in a few months time (Thanks to E1 closing down)

I've asked this question before but what are the minimum workstation specs ? From the hardware specs I've been emailed it looks like the network has to be on windows 7 - is this correct ?

If so I've got my work cut out for me, majority of the machines are windows XP and most are 4 years old or older with 2gig of ram.

 

Also server spec, is there any recommended off the shelf server that people are using ?

[ICTDirect_Dave]

We just helped out a fellow Edugeeker with a HP DL380 G5 for their new SIMS Server. 2 x Xeon X5450, 16GB RAM, 4 x 73GB SAS Discs etc. Let me know if you want me to spec you something nice and chap of a similar spec?

[vikpaw]

XP works, so don't worry, but it's more to do with it being old and not supported.

If you do go to Win7, we found even 4GB RAM was low and the machines struggled and died after a year, so this summer we upgraded to 64bit and 8GB and it works much better.

+1 for dave on the server side and i'd recommend making it a virtual server.

[vikpaw]

Also, if you've signed up to SIMS, make sure you get an account on SupportNet a lot of the info you need will be there. SupportNet

[PhilNeal]

XP is a problem as MS are not providing any security fixes. An article I read explained just how risky this can be. When vulnerabilities are patched in supported versions, hackers start to probe unsupported versions to see if they have the same weaknesses.

[caffrey]

Thanks vikpaw, I've not had any experience with virtual servers though.

 

 

It's not that XP is a problem (I know it is) it's my budget and time!

Edited October 2, 2013 by caffrey

[vikpaw]

Thanks vikpaw, I've not had any experience with virtual servers though.

 

 

It's not that XP is a problem (I know it is) it's my budget and time!

You don't need any, it's simple enough to learn. Similar to controlling a machine via terminal services or remote desktop, once it's setup, it will behave as any other box, but you'll get advantages like taking a snapshot prior to running upgrades and easily altering data drives, RAM etc. Plus you could run another clone as a SIMS test for a) testing updates b) hacking the nether regions of sims and c) for testing your backups work!

[matt40k]

XP is a problem as MS are not providing any security fixes. An article I read explained just how risky this can be. When vulnerabilities are patched in supported versions, hackers start to probe unsupported versions to see if they have the same weaknesses.

 

The Risk of Running Windows XP After Support Ends April 2014 - Microsoft Security Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs - This is one I tweeted

[localzuk]

We have machines with 2GB RAM still knocking about the place and they're running SIMS.net fine with Win 7 64bit on them.

 

However, we'll soon have nearly all machines with 4GB RAM installed and they run flawlessly.

[FN-GM]

I thought SIMS had finished support for XP now? I thought all the newer versions are not supported?

[localzuk]

Indeed. XP support ends with the Autumn 2013 release.

[FN-GM]

Thought so, not kept up with it as XP disappeared years ago here. So to sum up, you are likely to have issues with Windows XP and Capita wont help you fix them.

[caffrey]

Great well that's made my day!

[skunk]

All you need is patience, a whole lot of patience.......

[PhilNeal]

@caffrey we do offer SIMS as a hosted solution which will avoid many of the issues you are concerned about.

[CAM]

Does this mean XP will be supported on hosted systems? Would you be able to run it on OSX/Linux too if you go hosted?

[PhilNeal]

@CAM I will check. As the application is completely hosted it's possible. However I feel that it would be irresponsible of us to support XP use after it is out of support.

[caffrey]

Pretty much my thought too, I presented this at a meeting in May, explaining the infrastructure wasn't ready - Then the E1 news, next thing I get is an email saying we've signed up to SIMS oh well guess I'll have to sort it somehow.

[vikpaw]

Terminal services, host it yourself or get Capita to while you migrate workstations.

[FN-GM]

Pretty much my thought too, I presented this at a meeting in May, explaining the infrastructure wasn't ready - Then the E1 news, next thing I get is an email saying we've signed up to SIMS oh well guess I'll have to sort it somehow.

 

Did you keep the minutes? Perfect chance to get some real money for the system.

[PhilNeal]

@CAM - yes XP can continue to work in our hosted environment. We could support Macs too but haven't had the demand as yet.

[caffrey]

We're an independent so you can see my bigger problem