SOLUS3 install using existing SQL 2012 instance

[smarties11]

Hi All,

 

So I'm finally biting the bullet and installing SOLUS 3 to meet Capita's deadline of Summer 2016. I've dragged my feet up to now, as when I tried it a couple of years back it was terrible - so we've continued to use SOLUS2 up to now.

 

We already have a full version SQL 2012 instance on our SIMS server and I had intended to also use this for our SOLUS DB. The installation manual for SOLUS doesn't appear to cover this as a scenario.

 

When I run 'SOLUS3DeploymentServerDatabase.exe', the first part of the installation process, I am told that SQL Server Compact Edition is required before the DB itself can be installed. I can't 'uncheck' this option. It appears that the installation isn't detecting the existing full SQL 2012 instance.

 

Has anyone else come across this? I have logged a case for Capita but thought I might get a faster response here.

 

Seems crazy if the only supported config is for SOLUS3 to use a completely separate instance?

 

Thanks

Smarties

[Knil92]

I normally just keep it ticked and go through the installer, I'm pretty sure that it lets you chose what instance of SQL you want to use and it also lets you set up a database login for SOLUS 3.

[smarties11]

Thanks! I suspect this will still install the compact edition but I could always uninstall that afterwards. As long as it gives me the option to choose the instance, I guess that's the main thing! Cheers - will give it a shot.

[Knil92]

Im not 100% certain but there might be something in the compact edition that SOLUS uses, I would just leave it on, or see what capita says about uninstalling it?

[matt40k]

SQL Compact has some SQL migration thing in it that Capita uses to perform SOLUS3 db deployments (new and upgrades). They could move over to using the full DAC now Microsoft have started releasing it as a separate installer, but if it works

[smarties11]

Thanks both! You were spot on - the 'compact' installer has only installed some dependencies and not an entire instance. Was able to point it at the existing full SQL 2012 instance no problems at all.

 

They ought to update their installation instructions to explain this!

 

Cheers

Smarties

[Knil92]

no problem, remember that you can set solus 3 to automatically download and deploy updates once you have authorised them, so it does help quite a lot if you support a fair few schools