[sims] Multiple Instances of SIMS

[Frut02]

Hi,

 

We have just joined up 2 of our schools within the trust. The idea behind it is that the two will merge in September to create a through school.

 

For the moment we still have 2 sims servers with 2 separate sims databases. Is there an easy way to set it up so that the clients on both sites can connect to both databases? I've had a go with the connect.ini, and even tried a script to chage it, but not had much luck with it

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Esteban_Child_of_the_Sun]

Alter your connect.ini to read (substituting your own server and database names)

 

[sIMSConnection]

ServerName=SchoolA-MIS\SIMS2016

DatabaseName=sims

ServerType=SIMSSQL

DatabaseMode=OnLine

commandtimeout=1000000

 

[sIMSDatabases]

FriendlyName0=School A

Server0=SchoolA-MIS\SIMS2016

DatabaseName0=SIMS

DatabaseMode0=OnLine

 

FriendlyName1=School B

Server1=SchoolB-MIS\SIMS2016

DatabaseName1=sims

DatabaseMode1=OnLine

 

FriendlyName2=School C

Server2=SchoolC-MIS\SIMS2016

DatabaseName2=SIMS

DatabaseMode2=OnLine

 

Edited October 15, 2018 by Esteban_Child_of_the_Sun

[Sonic007]

Briliant question as I'm exactly the same boat as you. Have been running accross two sites applying Sims updates - No fun what so ever.

Im trying to convince them to go for just one Sims for the whole 2 schools.

 

But in the meantime the connect.ini looks like the way to let them choose.

[tombruton]

Don't know if this is still an issue for you guys but the most reliable way to do this is to remap the s drive

 

I have a script which does this, it also checks sims is closed and opens Sims up telling them which school they are connected to.

 

If you are interested I can post a link to this script on my website

[ITGURU]

The multiple instances works well for majority of SIMS users being able to have sims open twice for 2 different schools, however how do you get around the problem with both schools having an S:\ drive for those that use Exams, NOVA modules etc, as they'll only have the local schools' S drive and not the other?

[Esteban_Child_of_the_Sun]

You can get around a lot of those issues by using UNC paths and shortcuts from the mapped S: drive

[ITGURU]

You can get around a lot of those issues by using UNC paths and shortcuts from the mapped S: drive

 

Hi, Just to clarify, do you mean say on the local S drive you create a shortcut to UNC path of second sims site's s drive, then say in NovaT when they import a dataset, they'd select the UNC path rather than S drive?

 

so just requires a bit of user training?

 

Thanks.

[Esteban_Child_of_the_Sun]

In general, any menu route in SIMS where you can set a path you should set a UNC path, e.g. census locations, CTF locations, Exams setup, etc. You'll only need to use shortcuts for things that don't have a menu route in SIMS

[ITGURU]

In general, any menu route in SIMS where you can set a path you should set a UNC path, e.g. census locations, CTF locations, Exams setup, etc. You'll only need to use shortcuts for things that don't have a menu route in SIMS

 

I have always typically left them set to the S:\ drive as it means when i do server migrations i don't have to amend UNC paths. As now working on multiple instances, this may have to change.