SIMS + SQL 2005?

[Norphy]

Has anyone tried SIMs with SQL 2005? Does it work? I did ask Capita but they said it was unsupported

 

Reason I ask is, I've ordered a new SIMS server and a full version of SQL to go with it. I did ask for SQL 2000 media but they sent me 2005. When I set it up, shall I try it with 2005 or should I badger Ramesys to send me the SQL 2000 disk?

[eejit]

I haven't tried it - but no real surprise there. I have to rebuild an XP64 bit OS with 32 bit shortly as SIMS Finance won't work on 64bit :x

[Norphy]

One day, Capita will get rid of all the legacy 16 bit crap in SIMS. Probably won't happen any time soon though :\

[john]

I would badger them for the 2000 disk FOC as you did ask for a 2000 copy, I am sure they will give you it FOC.

[NetworkGeezer]

Yes you should demand the 2000 media because Capita have said on their website that they are unlikely to support 2005 for a while yet.

 

I also remember that reading somewhere that Capita don't belive the preformance throttling on MSDE is a problem for around 30 odd clients.

[Michael]

Also Capita still don't support SQL 2000 SP4, but only SP3a. I can't see why Sims shouldn't work with SQL 2005, as MS wants customers to migrate to the new product. As Capita don't currently support SQL 2005, I would definitely install SQL 2000

[Norphy]

I also remember that reading somewhere that Capita don't belive the preformance throttling on MSDE is a problem for around 30 odd clients.

 

Yes, I read the same thing. I'm not convinced however as whenever someone runs a report on Attendance or Assessment Manager or even does timetabling information, the server goes to 100% CPU usage with the SQL process taking it all. It prevents people from logging in and stops people who are in from working. I'm pretty sure its throttling so I thought since I'm building a new SIMS server, a proper version of SQL might as well go on there.

[steve]

We have the full version of SQL 2000 and running Attendance or Assessment Manager still grinds SIMS to a halt with 100% CPU usage.

[Guest metalmonkey]

It's probably not related but worthy of note nonetheless.

 

If the Exams officer at your school is runnig Submissions, the whole of SIMS SQL will grind to a halt. It's a known 'querk'.

 

We also thought it was our SIMS server or MSSQL 2000.

 

Our Exams officer has now agreed to only do submissions after school.

[NetworkGeezer]

We have the full version of SQL 2000 and running Attendance or Assessment Manager still grinds SIMS to a halt with 100% CPU usage.

 

It all depends on server spec. Something as important as an MIS should go a dedicated server hardware. Lots of GHz, lots of memory, lots of disk space, RAID etc. etc.

[animalboy1968]

i think capita are saying that as of 1 August you will HAVE to be on sql2005. this update, and all future updates, will only support sql2005. so any practice that you can get on sql2005 will be invaluable come the summer. however, if your requirement is urgent then the current release, of sims, will work on sql2005 but it is NOT fully compatible and capita will not support this environment.

 

my understanding of licensing, which i admit is sadly lacking, is that if you've paid your money then you can install any version that you want. so you may have to pay again for the sql2000 media but i would definitely keep hold of the sql2005 media as you will need it very shortly. obviously, you will have to purchase additional sql licenses depending on what you have already purchased.

[animalboy1968]

i think capita are saying that as of 1 August you will HAVE to be on sql2005. this update, and all future updates, will only support sql2005. so any practice that you can get on sql2005 will be invaluable come the summer. however, if your requirement is urgent then the current release, of sims, will work on sql2005 but it is NOT fully compatible and capita will not support this environment.

 

my understanding of licensing, which i admit is sadly lacking, is that if you've paid your money then you can install any version that you want. so you may have to pay again for the sql2000 media but i would definitely keep hold of the sql2005 media as you will need it very shortly. obviously, you will have to purchase additional sql licenses depending on what you have already purchased.

[steve]

i think capita are saying that as of 1 August you will HAVE to be on sql2005. this update, and all future updates, will only support sql2005.

 

The August release will work on both SQL 2000 AND 2005 (and the free versions). This will be the only release supported on both. Releases after August will only work on SQL 2005 / Express.

 

So in theory you could work with the august release on sql 2000 for sometime after - but everyone needs to upgrade eventually, due to school census changes. These updates will only work on sql 2005 / express.

 

Migration tools are being created to move from MSDE to Express. Full SQL 2000 users need to assess whether to move to Express and save on licencing, or go to full SQL 2005. Advice and instructions will no doubt be available nearer to the august release.

[projector1]

the sql 2005 lite version of sql is far more powerful than 2000 msde. It is also free aswell and does not have the governor. I read all this an a technet mag a year or so back and was told by our sims support team that 2005 is not supported, looks like thats still the case!

[Heebeejeebee]

Same boat here. I have recently put SIMS on a new server and ordered "full" SQL 2005. I asked for 2000 but was told that the supplier (Ramesys) could not get the 2000 media any more.

 

I was unsure about putting Backup Exec 11d on this server since it uses 2005 express and I didn't know how SIMS/MSDE 2000 would react so used remote agent to back it up. WOrks fine.

 

HBJB

[Norphy]

Considering that Ramesys don't supply pressed Microsoft media any more, that has to be complete crap. For at least the past year they've just been supplying burnt CDs with Microsoft software on. I'd get back onto them and get the SQL 2000 media if I were you.

[Toby.Belfield]

The Capita position is that we will ensure that the SIMS 2007 August Main Release will work on both SQL 2000 and SQL 2005 (and correspondingly MSDE & SQL Express)

 

We will also ensure that any fixes that are related to the September School Census (or DENI in Northern Ireland) are coded to work on both platforms.

 

Subsequent releases (from the SIMS 2007 September Update - planned for 15th September 2007), will be tested and developed on SQL 2005 only.

 

For all installations before August 2007, we will support SQL 2000 - and therefore, in the case above, I suggest that you request the SQL 2000 media.

 

Regards,

 

Toby Belfield

Capita

[Heebeejeebee]

Considering that Ramesys don't supply pressed Microsoft media any more, that has to be complete crap. For at least the past year they've just been supplying burnt CDs with Microsoft software on. I'd get back onto them and get the SQL 2000 media if I were you.

 

They did send me the genuine SQL 2005 media. Don't know if it's because I added it to our MS Agreement though.

 

HBJB

[Kyle]

I've read the paper work today from our local LEA support team which states the same as above. September onwards needs to be on 2005 SQL. I also read that we need to make sure that all work stations have Net Framework 2.0 as a minimum but 3.0 is recommended.

 

Also something about installing the workstation software but did not read this far down the info. I'll guess I'll worry about it in early September.

[jumpinjamez]

I've read the paper work today from our local LEA support team which states the same as above. September onwards needs to be on 2005 SQL. I also read that we need to make sure that all work stations have Net Framework 2.0 as a minimum but 3.0 is recommended.

 

Also something about installing the workstation software but did not read this far down the info. I'll guess I'll worry about it in early September.

 

I ask out LEA about this a few weeks ago and as of yet have had no reply.

 

Its SMBC if anyone else knows what they are doing.

[jumpinjamez]

I've read the paper work today from our local LEA support team which states the same as above. September onwards needs to be on 2005 SQL. I also read that we need to make sure that all work stations have Net Framework 2.0 as a minimum but 3.0 is recommended.

 

Also something about installing the workstation software but did not read this far down the info. I'll guess I'll worry about it in early September.

 

I ask out LEA about this a few weeks ago and as of yet have had no reply.

 

Its SMBC if anyone else knows what they are doing.

[the.damon]

.Net framework 3 is not recommended yet. I heard on the grapevine that a few schools have reported issues which were supposedly caused by FW3. The official blurb is to stick to FW2 for the time being. That may be a different story come september but we shall have to wait and see.

 

As toby said, you're much better off with SQL 2000 or msde at the present time otherwise you will not be supported by Capita should anything catastrophic happen. I have been running my test server on 2005 Express and had no problems as yet but capita are not approving this as 'no testing has been performed on SQL 2005 prior to the august release'.

 

There is also a mention that a workstation 'clean' is required which, as far as i understand, is wiping the old connection protocols etc from each machine. The initial plan is that a script will be produced closer to the time. Whether this will be launched by SIMSLOAD is another question.

[Jeremy69]

A file has been produced by SIMS this week that installs .net 2 and .net 3 and also does the cleaning up of old sims installations. Have run it on a couple of workstations with no discernible ill effects (so far!)