sims and server 2012

[itgeek]

Hi We are moving our sims from physical to virtual. Should I go for server 2008 R2 or server 2012. We are also installing SQL 2012 what version do I need?

 

 

Thanks in advance

[vikpaw]

In another thread, somebody suggested not going for server 2012, but sql 2012 should be fine. In my view it's best to do a physical to virtual conversion and keep it all the same for continuity. Then look at migrating and changing. There's not really a lot to do a migration once you're virtual. You just set up a new server and restore your database backup to it.

I wouldn't want to make too many changes at the same time. At least with a VM you can test it all out and quickly start again if you don't like it.

[synaesthesia]

I would recommend going to 2012 R2; with some luck it means you have another year or so's life out of SIMS before you're posting this again, asking if you should stick with 2008R2 or move up to Server 2015.

[Boredguy]

We moved to a Virtual Windows 2012 server with SQL2008 back in September (got Capita to do the migration) and it's been fine. If we were doing it now, I'd install 2012 R2.

[synaesthesia]

Capita installed SQL 2008 for you? As they were fully aware of their own timeline in September, I hope they are coming back to do the SQL 2012 migration free of charge for you, @Boredguy

[IrritableTech]

I recently migrated from windows 2003 - SQL2008 to windows 2012 - SQL2012. It was a fairly painless process.

 

Using the sql2012 migration tool I upgraded the database to a file on the old server (which leaves everything intact in case of issues) then copied the file to the new server and ran the sql2012 migration tool again as per capitas instructions. Copied over the DMS and changed the sims drive mapping and that was pretty much it.

[Timetable]

Hi,

 

Last April we converted our physical server to a virtual one, but didn't change any of the software. We thought, lets just see if it works and if it does then setup a new virtual server and copy the database. As the person said earlier.... less changes at a time means easier to diagnose any errors if they occur.

 

Our virtual has been working fine and was just copied with Microsoft's free physical to virtual software...

 

Now this summer its new server 2012 r2 and SQL 2012.......

[Boredguy]

Capita installed SQL 2008 for you? As they were fully aware of their own timeline in September, I hope they are coming back to do the SQL 2012 migration free of charge for you, @Boredguy

 

Why would they choose to do it FOC? We only requested the migration to the new server platform and reinstalled the same SQL level that we are licensed for. Can't install SQL2012 if you haven't got a license yet and I didn't have funds for a new Windows 2012 Server and 2012 SQL, especially when I can delay the SQL til this coming financial year.

[synaesthesia]

Ah, fair enough then. Must admit I'm very jumpy when it comes to planning ahead and avoiding doing work twice!