SIMS - beginner advice

[dwhyte85]

Hi There,

 

First of all hello, i'm new here! I am starting as an ICT network manager at a 11-19 year old school and have been thrown in at the deep end with SIMS. I've not yet started and i'm trying to get as much background as possible and understanding, i've just signed up for the support part of the SIMS site but i'm not certain they'll activate as I don't yet have a school e-mail address.

 

I am looking for a technical guide to SIMS or a WIKI for SIMS, anything to get me up to speed - i'm adept with computing, databases, reporting and can program, not too phased but it'd be great to do some evening reading before I start.

 

I saw this post:

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/mis-systems/12629-sims-training-reading-advice-please.html

 

Nothing was posted, like information - I'd love to do training but this will not be something I can do until I actually start at the start of April :-)

 

 

Great forum, will be hopefully contributing some useful content for you all too

[mb2k01]

Not really what you asked, but the first thing I did when I became a Network Manager in charge of SIMS was...... To delegate it to the Assistant Network Manager! Nice little project for him to sink his teeth in to!

[Sylv3r]

Which LA are you from? They will probably run regularly training sessions if SIMS is the preferred flavour of MIS system in the county.

[dwhyte85]

I've been told my LA do, but i've not started yet so it's not an option :-)

 

I have no assistant, but a technician - I honestly don't think he could manage it, he has other tasks to look forward like replacing toner, executing my daily checks and adding users on AD when the new intake comes, well i might script it but I don't yet know how new users are received.

 

Cheers for input, i'll keep googling.

Edited March 12, 2009 by dwhyte85
i can't spell

[superfletch]

Hello there,

 

I work for an LA and we support SIMS for all schools throughout our county - we also get involved with more general ICT (Network and Technical support) for schools (mostly primaries) that choose to buy into our service.

 

I'm sure from your OP that you probably know most of this but here goes and I'll try to help - I expect a couple of people will post where I've gone wrong.

 

Firstly - Most Secondary schools have a dedicated SIMS Server (it might run a couple of other non intensive tasks such as the nearby printers or image server).

 

Second - In secondary schools most of the SIMS work is divvied up around the school, and as a rule each person knows how to use the bits of SIMS they need to very well. However they don't go any further than that - which is usually fine.

 

Third - If you can, then follow mbrahams advice. Get someone else to manage SIMS outright (ie they are the SIMS manager)- if you want it work properly it needs to be something the headteacher leads on - getting everyone involved, and requires commitment particularly from its biggest users (eg Office and SEN).

 

 

 

---------TECH----------------------------

 

 

SIMS is composed of these main parts:

 

• The Database Server (Currently an SQL 2005 DB).
  
• The Document Server (Written totally in .net as I understand it) by default runs on port 8080 and in 99% of cases runs on the same server as the Database.
  
• The Shared folder (Mapped Drive) - usually on the same server.
  
• The Client Application.
  

 

 

--------1--------

 

 

To install SIMS on a workstation - you need

 

• .net framework 2 + sp1 (minimum) installed.
  
• The user needs to be able to see the sims mapped drive (usually this is S:\)
  
• Then the following app' needs running with the correct options chosen from a settings menu (S:\SIMS\Setups\SIMSINST.exe).
  

 

On connecting a new workstation you need to point it at the location of the simserver\instance and the databasename.

 

OR

you can point at a master ini file containing this information (Usually S:\Sims\connect.ini).

 

 

--------2-------

 

 

The SIMS Database has its own extensive security within the system manager module.

 

(Log in and check out system manager investigating the Focus | User area)

 

This area means that even if people can access the shared drive - unless they have a username and password for SIMS they can't access it. If they have a username and password - they can only access the bits they have been allowed to access.

 

Permissions to the sims shared folder can also be controlled.

 

****V IMPORTANT - If people exist within the Personnel part of SIMS then they can be made users of the SIMS System easily - if they don't then a user can be added but it is better that people are on personnel wherever possible.****

 

--------3-------

 

 

Subscribing to Capita's Supportnet was a good move - there is so much information on there about using SIMS and FMS. It helps me solve roughly half of the problems I am asked to help with.

 

Click on | Web Support | Solution Search.

 

--------4-------

 

 

FMS is installed in a very similar way to SIMS (Instead of SIMSInst.exe you use a file called FMSApplicationSetup.exe - soon to change to FMSInst.exe I believe)

 

All FMS Workstations need:

 

• SQL 2005 Native Client,
   
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d09c1d60-a13c-4479-9b91-9e8b9d835cdc&DisplayLang=en
   
  
• .net framework 2 + sp 1
  
• and to have to have a default printer.
  

 

--------5-------

 

The document Server is important because it deals with reports and any documents attached to students. Knowing where it is is equally important.

 

By Default it gets installed at the SIMS Servers C:\ drive under "DocStorage" but most schools have modified this - to find exactly where your document server library is do the following:

 

On your SIMS Server open a command prompt and go to the directory the document server lives in:

 

Ususally - "correctdriveletter:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net Document Server"

 

From here run the command DMCONFIG

 

This will tell you the protocol used to connect, the port the service runs on and the directory it resides in (the port must be available past your servers firewall).

 

 

 

Your LA will usually do training but in our LA it is mostly for users rather that techs. Get someone from the LA to come out and do some one on one stuff with you so it meets your needs.

 

SF

Edited March 13, 2009 by superfletch
Spelling

[dwhyte85]

Top man, good info!

[siuko]

Also even if you aren't supported by Capita directly (as we aren't) do still register on Here as it has a very useful Solution Search and forum.

[pete]

You lot are slacking, why has no-one said "Run for the treeline and hope you make it"?

 

There's also a simsperm.bat batch file which should sit in \\server\simssharename\setups\ which calls subinacl.exe to set the correct permissions on the workstation sims directories to ensure upgrades work smoothly.

 

You can automate this by entering the same in a gpo - whichever is easier for you.

[superfletch]

Most of this was written for Server 08 but is equally applicable to Server 03...

 

 

Enabling workstations to run SIMS and FMS in a network environment...

 

 

1. TCP/IP and Named Pipes

2. Firewall access for SQL Server

3. Firewall access for Document Server

 

 

 

How to enable TCP/IP and Named Pipes for SQL2005

Before amending please ensure that all users are out of SIMS .net

 

On the Server

1. Click Start | All Programs | Microsoft SQL Server 2005 | Configuration Tools | SQL Server Surface Area Configuration

2. Click Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections

3. Under the Database Engine for the correct instance click Remote Connections

4. Click Local and remote connections

5. Click Using both TCP/IP and named pipes

6. Click Apply

7. Click OK to the message

8. Click OK again

9. Click the X in red box to close the window

 

 

 

 

To apply the changes made above Stop and start the SQL service:

1. Click on Start | Run

2. In the browse box type services.msc

3. Click on OK

4. When the Services screen starts

5. Click the Service relating to SQL server for SIMS “SQL Server (SIMS2005)”

6. Click Stop – this will stop the service

7. Click Start – this will start the service

 

 

 

 

Firewall access for SQL Server:

The firewall on Server needs opening to allow access to the SQL server

Add the program:

1. Open the Windows Firewall dialog box

2. Click on the Exceptions tab

3. Click Add Program.

4. Click Browse and navigate to:-

5. D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1 \MSSQL\Binn\Sqlservr.exe

6. Click OK

 

 

 

 

Add the Port:

 

1. Click Add Port.

2. Add a TCP port

3. Name is SIMS SQL Server

4. Port number is 1433 (Unless it is set to a non default port).

5. Click OK

6. Click OK to close the Windows firewall program

 

 

 

 

 

Firewall access for Document Server:

To open a port for the DocStorage Server Windows firewall for TCP access

1. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Exceptions tab, and then click Add Port.

2. In the Add a Port dialog box, in the Name text box, type DocStorage Server.

3. In the Port number text box, type the port number 8080. (Default for DocServer)

4. Verify that TCP is selected, and then click OK.

 

 

 

 

Not required but useful info just in case.

5. To open the port to expose the SQL Server Browser service, click Add Port, type SQL Server Browser in the Name text box, type 1434 in the Port Number text box, select UDP, and then click OK.

Edited March 13, 2009 by superfletch

[dhicks]

have been thrown in at the deep end with SIMS. I've not yet started and i'm trying to get as much background as possible and understanding

 

Probably worth noting that there's been several discussion on here regarding running SIMS via Terminal Services. If you're starting off somewhere new anyway you could maybe look at moving SIMS to TS, might make management easier (means you don't have to install the software on clients and means you data doesn't wander off on to laptops).

 

--

David Hicks

[Butuz]

Would agree with David - running SIMS on a terminal server means you only have to apply the SIMS update to that server alone, not a load of workstations!

 

I've tested SIMS on terminal server here - and it works. Just have not had the budget to actually implement it.

 

Butuz

[dwhyte85]

Love the avatar Butuz.

 

Alot to digest but all good stuff, still awaiting account activations however, I think they're apprehensive because of my e-mail address used.

 

Even so, good information to get me going!

 

With the suggestion of TS - they don't want to spend much money, i've got a chunky budget... however, I haven't done an inventory yet!

[vikpaw]

Firstly, to EduGeek.

 

The above info is great.

 

Is it not possible for you to ask the school to set up your email account early? Also, maybe go in and do a changeover with the current encumbent? You could use their access to Capita SupportNet it is a fantastic resource.

 

Even if you can't access it now, there are lots of free to access resources. www.sims.co.uk will give you an overview aside from the very good technical account already provided here.

 

Also, presumably as you'll be supporting it, it would be worth checking out the different modules available and how they work. Most everyday users (i mean the teachers not new techies!) still fall over at the basic hurdles because they are in a hurry to get stuff done so have a look at these quick guides from Capita:

 

Quick reference sheets - Capita Children's Services

 

I have produced a few basic videos that i use internally to show people the system but they don't really easily apply to other schools. Capita is soon to launch their own generic ones.

 

Good luck and if you need anything just holler.

[Jobos]

When I've seen our LEA setup a SIMS server they always change the config.nt file and add the command 'files=254'. Is this a legacy command from the old SIMS and not needed now?

[dwhyte85]

Cheers for the information, useful guides! Not sure what the last post means but i'm sure i will soon enough!

[The_Windy_Miller]

I don't think the files =254 is needed where a machine is solely going to access SIMS .net. It was for old DBF-based SIMS modules.

[Jobos]

Their using Sims .net and FMS 6.112

[Jeremy69]

There were a number of commands for the dbf version of sIMS which used Launcher as its front end including the FILES= statement and also giving every workstation a LANID number( SET LANID=01)

None of them are needed now unless you still have some data in old style SIMS that did not come across and you need to access it. for example when sims.net started the information in the old STAR archive was made inaccessible (incomprhensible to do this) so we keep it going on one workstation for as long as we can in case we need it. Typically it gets used twice a year and one day..................................

[drewp]

I'm new to the Sims package as well and could do with some questions answering or advise!

 

My first thing to achieve with Sims is to remove the Admin Domain where Sims is installed and then join the server into Academic Domain as a member server where we have the Teacher user accounts so that everyone can use Sims. Has anyone gone through this process? Have read a few posts on edugeek about people having this done but have not found any posts about the same sort of migration, rather moving Sims to new server hardware.

 

Planning on keeping the Server name the same as I think changing it will cause even more problems!

The advice from Sims was that once the server had AD removed and was a member server in the new Domain that SQL would have to be reinstalled and then the databases mounted. We will also need to change the Mapped Network Drive that Sims runs on as we already have that Drive letter in use on the Academic network. - I know that if Capita are coming into do the job I should not be thinking about how it’s done, but I am nevertheless!

 

The other questions I have are -

 

1) Are all the user account details for Sims held in the Sims database? I’m almost sure they are not the same as the AD account details.

 

2) Does FMS work in the same way for the user accounts and groups as there are some AD groups on the Admin Domain with accountancy terms for the group name.

 

thanks in advance for any answers or advise with this

[Jeremy69]

You can choose whether to have your sims ids in the simes database (traditional method) or tie them up with AD.

FMS has a separate set of user ids and passwords. Don't think these can yet be same as AD but someone will correct if I've got it wrong.

[vikpaw]

Hi drewp

 

I've never done the migration, but it was done at my last school before i arrived.

 

It shouldn't be a problem, but definitely get Capita to come in and do it as there are always little complexities that crop up and it's best if they are there to resolve them.

 

Reinstalling SQL and then adding your database also is fairly trivial. Just make sure you have good backups.

 

Changing the mapped drive shouldn't be a problem at all. Just need to give access to the existing users to the new drive and also change their local connect.ini file to point to it.

 

All user account details are held in the SIMS database (well i think it's between sims and master database actually) but if properly backed up and reattached they should all stay the same. It's unlikely that you have single sign-on setup which would mean that the sims accounts are silently linked to the domain accounts. If that is the case you'll need to reset those passwords with system manager.

 

FMS should be the same, as it should also now be an SQL database, however as Jeremy69 said, they are completely separate to the sims accounts.

[drewp]

Thanks for help so far,

 

The users we have already using SIMS all say that it is slow, not used SIMS as I don’t have a logon (and it’s on the other network ) but is this a normal user comment?

 

We are using Sophos AV and I have configured it not to scan remote files, and excluded the c:\program files\SIMS\ directory to see if it is the AV that is causing the slowness but not had any feedback just yet. Users can’t really give me a specific time of day when it is slow, but some days are worse than others.

 

 

Is there anything else I could look at, or is this something that I should talk to Capita about?

[Jeremy69]

Sophos definitely has an impact on SIMS when upgrades are done so it is worth excluding the setups directory on the server from being scanned. Excluding the directories that you have is also likely to have a positive impact. I think you need to get users to define when it is slow because there are some fixes, for example an addition you can make to the connect.ini file if sims times out doing certain jobs.