[sims] SIMS SQL

[Koldov]

I'm trying to get a VM up and running for a SIMS migration and want SQL installed on it first, unfortunately (as with most things) I haven't got a clue what I'm doing in enough detail and I've never really messed about with SQL & databases before...

 

Running the SQL setup and I've got to 'Instance Configuration' but it's asking me to 'Specify the name and instance ID for the instance of the SQL server'.

 

Do I change it from 'Default' to be a 'Named Instance' like 'SIMS2016' or something...?

 

"IMPORTANT NOTES: Unlike previous SQL Migration Utilities, the SIMS

SQL 2016 Migration Utility does not include Microsoft SQL Server 2016

Express edition. Before migrating your SIMS, FMS and Discover databases

to SQL Server 2016, you must first install Microsoft SQL Server 2016 or

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Express and create a SIMS Instance

(SQL Server 2019 | Microsoft).

The SQL 2012/2014 Database Server will remain available for all

non-SIMS/FMS/Discover purposes during the entire migration process."

 

So do I create an 'Instance' (SIMS2016) and then attach a database to it....?

 

Normally I'd research/muck around until I find a solution, but I don't really want to mess up SIMS...

 

The other option is waiting to see what (if anything) the SIMS migration tool installs, as there is some confusion even in their own documentation about whether it installs SQL Express or not... we are quite small (3 form entry) Junior School and so might be able to get away with 'Express' if performance isn't degraded. I don't want to be troubleshooting extra SIMS issues because of that after migration as I'm sure I'll have enough to worry about. Plus it means we can drop SQL licences and CALS (?).

 

"IMPORTANT NOTE: Unlike previous SQL Migration Utilities, the SIMS SQL

2016 Migration Utility does not include Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Express

edition. Before migrating your SIMS, FMS and Discover databases to SQL

Server 2016, you must first install Microsoft SQL Server"

 

But within the download of the 'Migration Utility' there is a file called... 'SQLServer2016-SSEI-Expr'... which ties in with the documentation further along which states:

 

"This process will optionally install and configure a SQL Server 2016 Express

Database Server Instance to act as a host for SIMS and to migrate the

existing SIMS, FMS and Discover databases from the SQL 2012/2014 host

to SQL 2016 Express (or full SQL 2016)."

Edited February 15, 2023 by Koldov

[Banjo]

Always use an instance. I used to use the code below to install SQL from a script . You can use this in a bat file. Change the variable ("%DRIVE%) to your drive letter and setup.exe and set the 'password' and your good to go. You will need to install the Mgr Studio after to manage the instance.

 

"%DRIVE%\SQL2016\SQL2016\setup.exe" /q /ACTION=INSTALL /INSTANCENAME=SIMS2016 /INSTANCEDIR="%DRIVE%\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="PASSWORD" /ADDCURRENTUSERASSQLADMIN=True /TCPENABLED=1 /NPENABLED=1 /UpdateEnabled /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS

[Koldov]

Thanks for that, I appreciate it.

 

More basic questions I'm afraid... I'm feeling more out of my depth with each one... and I'm not sure if I'm asking the 'right' ones...

 

Where it applies the "BUILTIN\ADMINISTRATORS" as the SQL System Administrator account, I presume is this an account for managing the instance/database and that it isn't the 'traditional' SA account that is for SIMS?

 

Only we have the SIMS SA one configured in the 'original' system and I don't want to overwrite or lock it out once it's all migrated.

 

So in the password section am I adding the 'BUILTIN' Windows/Domain administrator password or the SIMS 'SA' password...?

[Banjo]

Thanks for that, I appreciate it.

 

More basic questions I'm afraid... I'm feeling more out of my depth with each one... and I'm not sure if I'm asking the 'right' ones...

 

Where it applies the "BUILTIN\ADMINISTRATORS" as the SQL System Administrator account, I presume is this an account for managing the instance/database and that it isn't the 'traditional' SA account that is for SIMS?

 

Only we have the SIMS SA one configured in the 'original' system and I don't want to overwrite or lock it out once it's all migrated.

 

So in the password section am I adding the 'BUILTIN' Windows/Domain administrator password or the SIMS 'SA' password...?

 

You will still use the SA account and whatever password you put in here to logon and manage the instance /SAPWD="PASSWORD" This (/ADDCURRENTUSERASSQLADMIN=True) just adds the local admin account (the account you install under) as administrator as well.

[Koldov]

Thanks, had a bit of a nightmare with the whole thing...

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/mis-systems/231705-help-sims-fms-discover-migration-fail.html

 

...so the project is shelved for now, but I'll keep it in mind for the next time I attempt it!