[sims] Blank Database

[Chrissy]

Hi,

 

As you may have seen from my previous posts; I'm quite new with SIMS. I'm now installing it on a test server (so I can get a better understanding of it) and I am wondering how I can make a blank database. This is probably a stupid question but SIMS hasn't actually installed a database into Microsoft SQL 2012. If you cannot make a database, would anyone be able to send me a blank database that I can just attach to the SQL Server?

 

 

 

 

Thanks

Edited April 23, 2018 by Chrissy

[dapaulio]

Why not use a sql database backup of your production server to spin up test server. Remap your s: drive and your connect.ini to your test server. Then you can play to your hearts content without risking the production server

[Chrissy]

Because I would like to have it completely fresh (without any of the current data)

[Marci]

Duplicate a backup onto your test server, then truncate all it's tables to empty them but retain structure. https://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/3218/truncate-all-tables-in-a-sql-server-database/

[matt40k]

Not sure that's be an viable option as you'll remove the defaults \ lookups \ whatever. Also not sure you'd want a blank database - cause it's blank, blank. You're talking about 100 hours worth of effort just to key in the data - and that's assuming you know what to key in! You could get the training databases if you have mega dosh, but again they'll be configured differently to you're school so... might not be that helpful. Ideally you want a "scramble" button so you could restore a backup of your production, but replace all the peoples names - which will never happen.

[Banjo]

When you copy the setups across to the new server and run simsinst.exe tick all three options, Workstation, DMS, and SQL. At the end of the install process SIMs DB config utility will fire up and ask you if you want to create a new DB and its name. Call it TEST and off you go.

 

If you already have done the complete install just run simsinst.exe - tick third option (SQL - but don't install a new instance) and then it will offer you the option via the SIMs DB config utility.

[dapaulio]

If what you need is just a blank dB then as banjo suggested. You may need to run sqlinfrastructuresetup first (can’t remember if the install option within simsinst calls this setup during its process) maybe worth running it first.

 

I’m struggling to understand why you would need a blank dB. Unless it is just to gain experience in the installation process of sims from scratch... Sims will not behave like a production server that would be helpful to anyone for testing purposes without any data to query.

 

Believe me sims is not sims without data.

 

You won’t be able to determine whether additional modules work eg nt6, exams etc as there is no data to import.

[Chrissy]

Yeah, but for this case only I want to have blank data (not for the main system of course)

[matt40k]

Yeah, but for this case only I want to have blank data (not for the main system of course)

I don't think you realise how blank, blank is.

[dapaulio]

Banjo response it probably closest to what you need.

Spin up a test server

Copy the setups folder from S:\Sims onto your test server

Install SQL database

Run SimsSQLinfrastructuresetup.exe (not to be confused with SimsInfrastructureSetup.exe)

run simsinst.exe

check all three options workstation/SQL/DMS

(you may need to run simsinfrastructuresetup.exe and simsapplicationsetup.exe also but the step before may call them. )

 

TBH there is no guarantee that this will work because there will be no data.

Sims is not like an Access Database that you create with no records in from scratch. These steps are normally performed as a prerequisite of performing a manual dbattach for example. Capita may use dbattach to diagnose a database fault that has been raised and they need your data to replicate the symptoms you discussed.

 

but even still I would probably

 

clone my production server vhd

disconnect my network card

spin it up

run dbattach to drop the database

run dbattach again to put a new database in its place

Edited April 24, 2018 by dapaulio

[Chrissy]

I don't think you realise how blank, blank is.

 

What I mean is that I want a blank system (no students, staff etc) but also have the tables on the database so sims works just as it would when it was first setup.

[matt40k]

What I mean is that I want a blank system (no students, staff etc) but also have the tables on the database so sims works just as it would when it was first setup.

You've got to setup the basic school structure once you've attached the blank database - school name, address, school year, blah blah blah - JUST to get logged in, then you've then got to apply patches to unlock bits of SIMS - lesson monitor\dinner money\assessments\etc. Then import all the default DfE codes, reports, blah blah blah.

 

Seriously, its unbelievably blank. Good luck.

[dapaulio]

You've got to setup the basic school structure once you've attached the blank database - school name, address, school year, blah blah blah - JUST to get logged in, then you've then got to apply patches to unlock bits of SIMS - lesson monitor\dinner money\assessments\etc. Then import all the default DfE codes, reports, blah blah blah.

 

Seriously, its unbelievably blank. Good luck.

 

Imagine a factory reset in SIMS. the chaos it would cause by accidental or malicious operation. if there were one I bet it would go next to the emergency alert button on staffs dashboard lol

[matt40k]

I would say wouldn't you add it as an option when restoring a DB, but yer it's Capita, they'll prob do that - be the only patch \ function they write that doesn't timeout

[Chrissy]

You've got to setup the basic school structure once you've attached the blank database - school name, address, school year, blah blah blah - JUST to get logged in, then you've then got to apply patches to unlock bits of SIMS - lesson monitor\dinner money\assessments\etc. Then import all the default DfE codes, reports, blah blah blah.

 

Seriously, its unbelievably blank. Good luck.

 

Right, stupid question (new to Sims), when you setup the database; where would you input the school details?

[vikpaw]

@Chrissy - please send me a private message with your school details and we’ll ensure you get the required help and files from official sources.

[Chrissy]

@Chrissy - please send me a private message with your school details and we’ll ensure you get the required help and files from official sources.

 

I have contacted Capita and they have sent me the blank database I had needed; it’s an ldf and an mdf file. How exactly would I import these? Would I do it via DBAttach?

[vikpaw]

I have contacted Capita and they have sent me the blank database I had needed; it’s an ldf and an mdf file. How exactly would I import these? Would I do it via DBAttach?

 

Capita really should have given you some instructions to go along with the files.

They shouldn’t just be handing out files, when there is a risk you might overwrite your live data.

As I said, get in touch and we can get you sorted in one go rather than through multiple threads.

[Banjo]

If you are not planning on using the blank DB with the SIMS applications - just looking at tables, then you can use SQL Studio to attach them. If you plan to use the SIMS applications and login and enter the school details and term dates then you will need to use dbattach.