Moving from SQL Server 2005 to 2008

[speckytecky]

My Admin staff tell me that over the Summer SIMS needs to be migrated from MS SQL Server 2005 to SQL 2008. when they migrated to SQL 2005 they had an expert in who charged £500 for the task and asked if this time it would be something I could do for my circa tenner an hour!

 

I have never been much involved with SIMS before nor SQL Server - is there much involved and a muppets guide of what to do?

[westleya]

Eeek ! Where did your admin people hear this ?

 

I had no idea...

[soapyfish]

I believe that SIMs needs to be migrated to SQL 2008 before October 2010

so this summer or next summer would be the ideal times to my mind.

 

"Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and SQL Express

From October 2009, Sims will be supported on SQL2008 and support for Sims on SQL2005 will be phased out by October 2010. During this time, all schools will need to complete a data migration process, using tools which will be provided by Capita.

 

There is no direct upgrade route from SQL2005 to SQL2008, so this process will take place using a side by side installation approach. SITSS will provide further information regarding this process nearer the time as well as guidelines for schools who wish to undertake this process themselves. SITSS will also be offering to complete the SQL installation and migration process at a charge of approximately £300"

Edited July 8, 2009 by soapyfish
extra text

[pmassingham]

Here we go again!! More costs dumped on schools - we only moved to SQL2005 18 months ago and what a pain that was. At least we get a few years out of MS before being forced to spend more on upgrades. How long before we have to move to next generation 64 bit server? Why do we just lay down and accept this? We already pay massive amounts to use this MIS!

[soapyfish]

I am in the same boat it must have been 2 years ago at most that I moved to 2005,

 

I don't know how long MS support a version of SQL but it must be more than a few years.

[Domino]

I remember the 2005 migration being pretty painless - took about 3 hours, with FMS being the pain.

 

As long as you've planned it properly.

 

Mind you it doesn't seem like they've allowed much time in between upgrades - Considering how long it took them to move from 2k to 2k5, maybe its because the difference isn't as huge this time round.

 

Does anyone know if the CAL's are transferrable? or upgradeable?

[soapyfish]

I use the per processor licence not the CAL's

[Jeremy69]

I think the admin staff who said 2008 is needed over the summer are planning for some pain. As SQL2008 is not supported until the October 2009 release and not compulsory until after October 2010 it seems a bit premature and there are likely to be osme aggravations to sort out so being an early adopter may not be best and being one before Oct 09 risks SIMs not working if it is done on a live system.

[Simcfc73]

Getting a shiny new server in october to all steam ahead for Server 2008 and SQL 2008

[soapyfish]

What kind of spec are you looking at ? Its nearly time for me to replace my server too and the migration time seems to be the right time to do it get everything out of the way at once and limit the disruption to the users.

[MattMitchell]

I'll check with our network admins if you want but I would expect you could just take a backup of the old database (using dbattach) and restore it into the new server, making sure you have the right user accounts and so-on created.

 

It might be worth taking an image to have a virtualised version of the old server available just in case as well. Or build a new machine if the option's available.

[Michael]

To be honest I would wait until at least early 2010 before upgrading Sims.NET from SQL 2005 to SQL 2008. Something which could easily be done February half-term or even Easter 2010.

 

SQL 2010 is scheduled for a mid 2010 release, so buying licenses for SQL 2008 next year will most likely cover you for SQL 2010 (including CALs).

[matt40k]

Here we go again!! More costs dumped on schools - we only moved to SQL2005 18 months ago and what a pain that was. At least we get a few years out of MS before being forced to spend more on upgrades. How long before we have to move to next generation 64 bit server? Why do we just lay down and accept this? We already pay massive amounts to use this MIS!

 

We do it so Capita support us, Capita do it so Microsoft supports them, Microsoft do it so they can support the new hardware. If you don't want to spend money on new software, don't spend money on new hardware!

[ArchersIT]

We do it so Capita support us, Capita do it so Microsoft supports them, Microsoft do it so they can support the new hardware. If you don't want to spend money on new software, don't spend money on new hardware!

 

While mainstream support for SQL 2005 will end in April 2011 (Please Verify your Location), Microsoft will continue to support it for security updates until April 2016.

 

Presumably if this is going to be Capita's policy then they will be dropping support for Server 2003 before then as this will end mainstream support in July 2010 (Please Verify your Location).

 

Jonathan

[matt40k]

@ArchersIT

You seem to be forgetting that Capita are using Visual Studio and good support is only 5 years.

 

I can't see why people moan, we're in the education sector, we get great discounts, guarantee money each year so we can have a rolling replacement cycle. If we can't keep up-to-date, who can!

[ArchersIT]

@ArchersIT

You seem to be forgetting that Capita are using Visual Studio and good support is only 5 years.

 

I can't see why people moan, we're in the education sector, we get great discounts, guarantee money each year so we can have a rolling replacement cycle. If we can't keep up-to-date, who can!

 

I dont think I am forgetting anything. SQL 2005 will not stop working in April 2011. Microsoft will still support it if you ring them - however they will not make any more changes to it. If Capita have found a problem in SQL 2005 that required Microsoft to make changes I would be very surprised. We are still running applications with the database hosted on SQL 2000 and when I ring Microsoft for support they are still happy that the database is hosted on SQL 2000 and will provide me with support - so I would not expect Capita to have any problems with an application hosted on SQL 2005.

 

If they are wanting us to migrate to SQL 2008 for other reasons (features etc) then that is fine - just dont blame Microsoft. I also think it is a bit of a cheek to wait for a year after SQL 2008 is release to start supporting it and yet insist that everyone else jumps at the same time.

 

However, my point was also that they are focussing on SQL 2005-2008 when they will have exactly the same support scenario with Server 2003-2008 and are not mentioning this.

 

On a separate note, while I agree with the "great discounts" part of your paragraph we do not all get guaranteed money each year and so we do not all have a rolling replacment cycle.

 

Jonathan

[matt40k]

But when you get the DCSF etc going, here is an new file, you're forced to use new technology, which the old Microsoft technology doesn't support your forced to upgrade. Windows 7 is fast coming, 32bit support will be dropped soon, a fair while later 64bit will drop off the face of the earth. It's best to keep up-to-date then have the troubles later on, I'm thinking FMS moving to .net... that's going to be fun. Total re-write.

 

I was under the impression that schools got funded per student etc and that a certain percentage was forced to be used on ICT. So I think this would leave independent and special schools with a unknown number of regular students that would have a problem, have I missed anyone?

[ArchersIT]

I agree with you (at least I agree with what I think you are saying) in that upgrades have to be done because technology is moving on and there are ofteb features that you wish to use. I also agree in that it is best to keep up to date if possible.

 

My point is that Capita are being inconsistent.

1. They want us to upgrade but will not support new platforms (i.e. SQL 2008) for a year after launch. ISTR that vista support also took a long time - does anyone have any information on the support for Windows 7?

2. They want to move us to SQL 2008 and are using Microsoft's support cycle as justification. However, they are not mentioning Server 2003 -2008 which has the same support cycle and justifications.

 

 

As to funding - you are correct in that the schools get money per student with a certain percentage earmarked for ICT - but it is not ringfenced which means it is down to the head/governing body how much is actually allocated to ICT.

 

Jonathan

[Butuz]

I would wait till 2010 Specky.

 

And tell your admin staff you'll do it for £200 per day.

 

Butuz

[matt40k]

I agree with you (at least I agree with what I think you are saying) in that upgrades have to be done because technology is moving on and there are ofteb features that you wish to use. I also agree in that it is best to keep up to date if possible.

 

My point is that Capita are being inconsistent.

1. They want us to upgrade but will not support new platforms (i.e. SQL 2008) for a year after launch. ISTR that vista support also took a long time - does anyone have any information on the support for Windows 7?

2. They want to move us to SQL 2008 and are using Microsoft's support cycle as justification. However, they are not mentioning Server 2003 -2008 which has the same support cycle and justifications.

 

 

As to funding - you are correct in that the schools get money per student with a certain percentage earmarked for ICT - but it is not ringfenced which means it is down to the head/governing body how much is actually allocated to ICT.

 

Jonathan

 

I was under the impression that there was a mark that not even the head\governing body could affect. Anyway, I digress...

 

Capita likes to wait to test. I believe Windows 7 is support 6 months after the inital release. Which isn't that bad, so you can roll out Windows 7 over the next summer holidays without any major issues.