Moving SIMS from p2p machine to a DC

[Seriun]

We have SIMS hosted on a P2P machine and need to move this onto something more robust. I have a physical server running ESXI and 2 VM's one as a DC and the other as an app machine.

What I would like to do is move SIMS onto this VM but am not sure how to go about this. I have hunted high and low for for some info on this but all I can find relates to SQL 2005 and is probably a bit old. Has anyone had any experience of moving SIMS? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[rpettit]

Have you looked at using vCenter Converter to convert the physical to virtual? - VMware vCenter Converter: P2V Virtual Machine Converter | VMware United Kingdom

 

Alternatively you could create a new virtual server and install SIMS - migrating the database to the new server.

[Seriun]

It's the migration I need advice on. Not sure of the steps

[rpettit]

https://www.egfl.org.uk/sites/default/files/Finance_data/Data_collection/SIMS/SQL2012Migration_21835.pdf

 

Page 17 goes through the process of migrating to a new server. The new server will need to have SQL installed. Using the SIMS migration tool will allow you to create a new instance in SQL on a new server and move the database

[Jehanzeb]

https://www.egfl.org.uk/sites/default/files/Finance_data/Data_collection/SIMS/SQL2012Migration_21835.pdf

 

Page 17 goes through the process of migrating to a new server. The new server will need to have SQL installed. Using the SIMS migration tool will allow you to create a new instance in SQL on a new server and move the database

 

Would you be able to share the pdf please as I am thinking along the same lines. We have a P2P machine and I'd like to migrate SIMS to new Win 2016 Server and SQL Server 2016. It is going to be a dedicated server so wouldn't require an VM setup, just need instructions how to move the database and setup instances.

 

The above link shows 'page cannot be found' error, hence my request.

 

Kindest regards

 

J.

[3s-gtech]

What do you mean by 'P2P machine'?

[Jehanzeb]

What do you mean by 'P2P machine'?

 

Peer 2 Peer environment.

[DJ-1701]

What do you mean by 'P2P machine'?

 

Peer 2 Peer environment.

 

Aka, computer in a Workgroup as oposed to Domain joined.

[3s-gtech]

Why have that but also be running a DC (unless it's a VM host that's off-domain for resiliency reasons)? Much confused.

[Banjo]

If this is for primary you can save some $$$ and use SQL express 2016. If you are using SQLExpress 2016 then if you extract you can run this batch/script to install.

 

"D:\SQL2016\setup.exe" /q /ACTION=INSTALL /INSTANCENAME=SIMS2016 /INSTANCEDIR="D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server" /FEATURES=SQLENGINE,REPLICATION,CONN,BC /SQLSVCACCOUNT="SYSTEM" /SQLSVCSTARTUPTYPE=AUTOMATIC /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS="BUILTIN\ADMINISTRATORS" /AGTSVCACCOUNT="NT AUTHORITY\Network Service" /SECURITYMODE="SQL" /SAPWD="YOUR-SA-PASSWORD-HERE" /ADDCURRENTUSERASSQLADMIN=True /TCPENABLED=1 /NPENABLED=1 /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS

 

After that you will need to copy the SIMS setup folder across to the new server and run the sims instance.exe. Follow it through & create a new blank db. Then unattach the blank (using dbattach) and also the live db on the old server and attach the 'live' db to the new server using dbattach. Login, check/amend Doc Server settings. Open up a students record, upload a dummy file. The copy the old doc server folder over to the correct location on the new server. Delete dummy upload.

 

SIMS is now working on your new server. If you use Discover you can install and bring across. If you use Solus3 you can install and then deploy.

[Jehanzeb]

Thanks Banjo, we have a standard version SQL 2016. Would I simply install the SQL server and move the SIMS installation folder and run the setup files. I heard there is a SIMS Migration tool but looking into SIMS MY Account, it only shows SQL 2014 Migration tool. Although we are on SQL 2012, 2016 is where ideally would like to migrate.

 

Many thanks once again

Kindest regards

J.

[Banjo]

Thanks Banjo, we have a standard version SQL 2016. Would I simply install the SQL server and move the SIMS installation folder and run the setup files. I heard there is a SIMS Migration tool but looking into SIMS MY Account, it only shows SQL 2014 Migration tool. Although we are on SQL 2012, 2016 is where ideally would like to migrate.

 

Many thanks once again

Kindest regards

J.

 

The migration tool is really designed for SQL upgrades rather than complete server moves. Yes, run the SIMSInst.exe file and select Workstation, Doc Server and SQL. You can then choose your new existing SQL instance in a later dropdown screen.