[sims] SIMS on Server 2008 R2 (SQL 2008 R2) migration to SIMS on Server 2012 R2.

[kennysarmy]

As title, in the summer I will be migrating our SIMS database from Server 2008 R2 (SQL 2008 R2) to SIMS on Server 2012 R2.

 

What is the current thoughts on which version of SQL I should install on the new server?

 

Also, are there any notes/guidance documents anywhere for the procedure to move the SIMS database, our LA are not prepared to help.

 

Both the old and new servers are running as virtual.

 

I'd like to get as much prep. work done in advance of the move date as possible, such as installing SQL and the new server.

It's been a while since I installed SQL so any help in which options etc need selecting for the new install would be appreciated.

 

Many thanks.

[kennysarmy]

Should I put the same version of SQL on my new server (ie SQL 2008 R2), then migrate the database, test everything is working AND THEN upgrade SQL from 2008 to 2012?

 

Or should I upgrade my current Server to SQL 2012 first?

Edited April 21, 2015 by kennysarmy

[3s-gtech]

Just so long as you don't try to do both SQL and Windows versions at once! I'd probably upgrade to SQL 2012 on the existing server first, but it's such an easy upgrade that it's not too important.

[kennysarmy]

Just so long as you don't try to do both SQL and Windows versions at once! I'd probably upgrade to SQL 2012 on the existing server first, but it's such an easy upgrade that it's not too important.

 

That sounds like a plan - easy though?

 

Any guidance or notes knocking around anywhere?

[BFCIT]

I would try to avoid the express versions of SQL Server. The express versions are limited and cannot utilise your full CPU or RAM power.

[Joanne]

There is an upgrade tool on the Capita website. Sign up (it's free) and it's on there...

 

http://www.capita-independent.co.uk/files/independent/downloads/faq_sql2012migration.pdf

[steveg]

You can go strait from the old server to the new one with no problems, no need to install any new versions of sql on the old one.

 

If you are using sql express on the new one, just install the server os and patch it etc, then let the sims installer install sql for you.

 

When you run the migration on the old one, it will detach the databases and you can copy the files over to the new one, it will then attach them onto that server for you.

 

There is a guide on doing the migration, as you will need to do things like moving the document management server as well. If its virtual to virtual just make sure you backup both before you start and you cant really go wrong!

 

Steve

[kennysarmy]

Our LEA has just sent out the Spring Update and their notes to install it, from the roadmap document I don't think we can install, as it looks as though SQL 2008 R2 is not supported once the Spring 2015 update goes on

 

So that forces my hand to upgrade the current Server to SQL 2012.

 

I'll see if I can find the migration tool on the Capita site....

 

Thanks.

[3s-gtech]

As @steveg mentioned (though it's a little while since we did it) I believe there's very little involved with upgrading SIMS across other than detaching from 2008 R2 and attaching to 2012 (we changed the database name to SIMS2012), then changing some of the installation parameters etc in SOLUS.

[Boredguy]

The SIMS migration tool does most of the hard work once you have installed SQL 2012 onto the server, and Capita had a guide for installing SQL 2012 under KB404497.

[kennysarmy]

The SIMS migration tool does most of the hard work once you have installed SQL 2012 onto the server, and Capita had a guide for installing SQL 2012 under KB404497.

 

Cheers - just reading that now....

[vikpaw]

I'd want to go to SQL 2012, avoid 14 for now. Defo do the upgrade in situ, so the new server can have a clean install of SQL.

With snapshots it should all be pretty risk free. Not much prep to do really apart from installing windows, and sql then getting it all patched to the brim.

[kennysarmy]

I'm proceeding with the SQL 2012 installation and have got as far as the INSTANCE CONFIGURATION...

 

I've entered SIMS2012 as the INSTANCE NAME & INSTANCE ID.

 

The default location is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server"

 

Under what circumstances would I need to change this?

 

Our SIMS Server has a D:\ drive and a folder called SimsShare (which becomes the clients S:\ drive)

 

in that is:

 

S:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.SIMS2008\MSSQL

 

So do I put the new SIMS2012 instance in :

 

D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\

[kennysarmy]

The SIMS2008 instance ID is also showing as "MSSQL10_50.SIMS2008"

[Boredguy]

Our SQL server is installed to the servers D:, so our instance location is D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.SIMS2014

 

If your current SQL server is installed to D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server, then use the same location.

Ideally you wouldn't want it on your C: in case it filled up all the space.

[kennysarmy]

Our SQL server is installed to the servers D:, so our instance location is D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.SIMS2014

 

If your current SQL server is installed to D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server, then use the same location.

Ideally you wouldn't want it on your C: in case it filled up all the space.

 

Thanks....

[kennysarmy]

SQL now installed.

 

I've asked the LEA who support our SIMS how we get hold of the migration utility and this is there response:

 

The migration tool that the link refers to is the express version. The express version is free and is only suitable for small Primary sized databases up to 10Gb.

 

I have attached the documentation from Schoolsnet regarding the SQL migration and would point you to page 39 FAQ’s and in particular page 40 “Are there any costs involved?” which gives a link to Microsoft licensing agreements.

 

Hope this will help.

 

 

I'm now confused as I thought the migration utility to help me get my SIMS database from SQL 2008 to SQL 2012 existed!

[Boredguy]

The migration tool will install Express if you select New instance, but you should be able to pick your 2012 SIMS instance from the drop down list

[matt40k]

Nothing wrong with installing Express. Once you've installed it, just drop the disc in and select upgrade edition, takes less then 5 mins to "upgrade" and remove those pesky limits. Worth using express as Capita do a good job answering some of the pesky options - like enabling TCP\IP.

[kennysarmy]

BUGGER!!!

 

I've just realised the new SIMS2012 instance has gone in to :

 

D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server

 

instead of

 

D:\SimsShare\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server

 

Can it be moved or will I have to un-install everything related to SQL 2012 and start again?

 

Cheers

[Boredguy]

It shouldn't be in the SIMSShare

That should just be the actual SIMS program files.

The database files should not be accessible via S:

[kennysarmy]

It shouldn't be in the SIMSShare

That should just be the actual SIMS program files.

The database files should not be accessible via S:

 

HAHA - I must have subconsciously somehow known that

[Boredguy]

Or you'd read the capita notes which takes you through the migration process

 

Last thing you want is staff being able to see the database and accidently try and delete the mdf file

[kennysarmy]

In the migration guide it states under the heading "SQL 2012 Host Configuration Requirements" that I need to carry out the following task:

 

SQL Server must be configured for local and remote connections

(TCP/IP or TCP/IP and Named Pipes)

 

But it does not explain what this is:

 

In SQL Server Configuration Manager I've got

 

Shared Memory = Enabled

Named Pipes = Disabled

TCP/IP = Enabled

 

(all as my SIMS2008 protocols)

[Smed]

Nothing wrong with installing Express. Once you've installed it, just drop the disc in and select upgrade edition, takes less then 5 mins to "upgrade" and remove those pesky limits. Worth using express as Capita do a good job answering some of the pesky options - like enabling TCP\IP.

this is exactly what i did! we are only a primary, with around 5 sisms users and small databases so sql express is fine for us, i thought at the time IF we ever need to upgrade to the full edition this would be the easiest option....

when you install sql express from the capita upgrade all the tcp\ip settings are sorted for you...