Applying a SIMS patch

[cookie_monster]

I've been asked to apply a SIMS patch (I've just taken over this box) and I can't seem to find it on supportnet the patch is apparently decribed in KB78205 but I can't find it even when I search the site. Can anyone point me to it and any docs on applying patches to SIMS to save me queueing on the helpline

 

Thanks.

[rh91uk]

cookie_monster - you need to request this from your SIMS LA Team or Capita.

 

To apply the patch, this is done through DB upgrade. You need to unzip this. I would post our LA documentation, but don't want to get myself into trouble so here is the capita one ... http://www.capitaess.co.uk/home/Applying%20a%20Patch%20Using%20DB%20Upgrade.pdf

[Mcshammer_dj]

you need to get this released by your authority to download via solus and then add the url if you are using the capita server to validate your addresses

[vikpaw]

for patches, it's probably different for you, but i usually get them emailed to me direct from the capita helpdesk, but that's because we are supported direct by the independent team. then just apply using dbupgrade.

 

did you find the kb article? it has a link, but like most links recently, since capita changed their website, the links no longer work, and search is pretty poor. otherwise i reckon you should have been able to just download the zip file from the address given.

[cookie_monster]

I guess I'll just ring the desk in a bit as we are supported by them not the LA.

 

Thanks.

[matt40k]

for patches, it's probably different for you, but i usually get them emailed to me direct from the capita helpdesk, but that's because we are supported direct by the independent team. then just apply using dbupgrade.

 

Patches should come down via SOLUS. If they get emailed they should get blocked by your email provider. Plus if it's over SOLUS they have a record of when you've applied it, you don't want them closing the call before you've tried the patch! Anyway, enough of my ranting.

[Edu-IT]

Patches should come down via SOLUS. If they get emailed they should get blocked by your email provider

Why should they get blocked? We often get small fixes via email.

[matt40k]

Email is insecure for one. I'm sure someone could spoof and email from Capita with an attached SQL script.

[Ian_ICTDS]

Site specific patches don’t come through SOLUS. This is an ongoing problem with the system. If the patch is to fix a problem with your data then Capita will need to email you the patch directly or through your LA.

 

When Capita send you a patch it contains a signature file. When you run a patch through DBUpgrade it checks the signature file to make sure it is valid. This ensures that the SQL script is from Capita and has not been edited somewhere along the way.

 

Of course if the signature was invalid you could still run the script directly into SQL without using DBUpgrade but that wouldn’t be a good idea.

[Hecate]

Email is insecure for one. I'm sure someone could spoof and email from Capita with an attached SQL script.

 

I'm sure they could but would anyone apply a patch sent in an unsolicited email from Capita (or anyone for that matter) without checking. I have had patches mailed several times and as long as they are from the named person I am expecting them from with I see no problem.

[matt40k]

Any Patch can go on SOLUS. Patches can get authorised for just one site.

Emails are still insecure, you have no way of guarantee that the email came from Capita. I don't think you should be remove extra security just because they can't be bothered to get it on SOLUS. Mean what's the point of Capita having SOLUS if they aren't going to use it! Rar!

Also don't like relying on the fact it's signed, I mean what happens when someone finds away around it?

[Mcshammer_dj]

I do agree with Matt40k in principle but would point out that whilst any patch should be able to go onto SOlus there are often times that Capita will not use solus if the patch is a site specific patch. I have raised this with Capita on several occasions.

[Ian_ICTDS]

Hopefully SOLUS3 will resolve the problem with site specific patches so all can be sent though that process and then they wouldn’t need to be emailed.

[matt40k]

SOLUS can do it currently, it's more they don't bother