[sims] Help please with FMS SQL2008 Migration

[drdos256]

Hope someone can help me with an FMS SQL 2005/08migration.

 

Server 1 = Currently hosting FMS 6.132 (only FMS module as we use Facility as our MIS) server 2003 / Sql 2005 (full version)

 

Server 2 = New server running Server 2008R2 & full version of SQL 2008

 

 

Firstly Solus has never worked properly for us so we get our updates via the Capita helpdesk - we did not have the migration tool, so had to contact Capita to get these - they are not happy we have left it so late as the official migration support has ended ...

 

If I run the migration tool on Server 1, it does not "see" server 2. the destination server is blank - Capita says

that I need to run the migration tool on server 2. So I copy the FMS database onto server 2, run the migration tool, I can select my file,

"see" the SQL 2008 server (I am able to connect either with windows or sql authentication) but when I click "next" to start the conversion I get

the following error :-

 

FMS SQL2008 Migration - Unable to get the registry keys for SQLBinnRoot or SQLData from the registry - please seek advice.

 

Any ideas as to how I can proceed ? In order to get the FMS databases trasferred should any

settings / software be loaded onto the SQL2008 server ?

 

Any help much appreciated (before I go tinkering with the registry...)

 

Thanks.

[GREED]

Suggested route for migration, this is how I did it before:

 

Migrate the database in place (ie on top of the existing server)

Install FMS to the new Server (with blank db)

copy over the db to the new server.

Ditch the messy old server.

 

Obviously this is me, not Capita experts!

[drdos256]

Thanks for your quick reply - would this mean installing sql 2008 express on the sql 2005 box ? (2005 is still running Facility) ... not a route i want to go down but will do if required. i like your idea of installing a fresh copy of FMS and copying over the DB (once it's "converted") - thanks

[GREED]

I mis-read the original post, but you could do the same with an extra stage:

 

Install 2005 on a new box, copy over FMS, upgrade, then copy onto a 3rd (you new server). This will leave your Facility intact, upgrade FMS and have it on a fresh installed box with no old rubbish on there.

[drdos256]

understood - it's a way forward ... I'm just hoping that I don't get this error with future upgrades .....

[GREED]

I happily found that if you install the software new, the server new, the db new, the just transfer the db (which should be fine internally!) you quite often loose all errors!

 

Are you using 32 or 64 bit Server? If so there used to be an additional patch needed to install the FMS software on 64bit.

[drdos256]

It's 64 bit .... do you have details of the patch please ?

[GREED]

I'm affraid not I stopped working with FMS 10 months ago. But contact the helpdesk or your LEA (whichever you use) and mention that you need a patch (which I believe is a patch for the software, not the database, so runs from an exe file), for FMS to work on 64bit.

 

Like I say I been out of the game unfortunately for 10 months now, so might be old knowledge and Capita may have integrated the fix into the main software.

[drdos256]

thanks ... I'll get hold of capita

[matt40k]

What I would do is deattach the database, install fms onto the new, run the sql2008 migration tool on the new server, select the advance option, select the fms mdf file. You won't need any patches for x64. Just the latest installable media\setups directory.

 

(PS: You might lose your user\pass at this stage - sysman will revert to the default password if it does).

[GREED]

I suggested doing the migration before the move so that a) you dont get any mess with the migration left over, and b) to ensure the migration is fine through the upgrade method in SQL, rather than moving to the new server prior to the upgrade...

 

Matt I have been out of SIMS for nearly a year so I am probably out of date!

[Banjo]

Given that you can't move Facility to the 64bit box, install SQL2008 on box 1 and move the FMS databases to that instance (deattach/reattach), and update the .ini files with 08 rather than 05. You can move the facility databases across to SQL08 and turn off SQL2005.

 

This way you keep 1 MIS server, rather than having MS server 08 x64 + Full SQL08 running FMS.

 

Just a thought

[GREED]

Without knowing the specs of both servers, couldn't comment (although the plan is a good one!).

 

Also, is Facility ok with SQL 2008 and Server 2008?

 

Thats a good point, Capita don't support Server 2008R2 at the moment I don't believe, so that might be another thing to watch, and perhaps test before moving the live database?

[Banjo]

Without knowing the specs of both servers, couldn't comment (although the plan is a good one!).

 

Also, is Facility ok with SQL 2008 and Server 2008?

 

Thats a good point, Capita don't support Server 2008R2 at the moment I don't believe, so that might be another thing to watch, and perhaps test before moving the live database?

 

Facility with server 2008 and SQL2008 is fine, x64, big no no

[superfletch]

GREED is right about Server 2008 R2 - that won't be supported until the Autumn upgrade is applied.

 

I had a similar error message to this in a primary but I think it was down to the Server having multiple editions of SQL installed on it some with several instances (they went way back to the old MSDE for SQL 2000).

 

I had to uninstall a load of the old and unused SQL Editions and instances and then it went through OK. Your problem sounds different though because it is a new box so it shouldn't have those kinds of legacy issues.

 

Some ideas:

 

Are you using a Windows account or a SQL (eg SA) account to perform the migration? Basically whichever you're doing try the other one.

Is UAC turned on?

How did you copy the database from Server 1 to Server 2 (did you remember to switch the SQL service off first).

If you look at the properties for the SQL Server Service - what account is it running under (Local system is usually best - although not necessarily the most secure).

Can you run the repair routine on SQL 08? (find it from the start menu and head to the installation / maintenance centre thingy).

 

 

Hope you get through it.

[GREED]

Thanks Banjo

 

@DRDOS: Just think worth re-mentioning, as might be critical: Capita do not support server 2008R2 at the moment, I don't believe.

[vikpaw]

Thanks Banjo

 

@DRDOS: Just think worth re-mentioning, as might be critical: Capita do not support server 2008R2 at the moment, I don't believe.

 

GREED is right about Server 2008 R2 - that won't be supported until the Autumn upgrade is applied.

 

This is from the updated Autumn Pre-release notes :

 

Support for the SIMS and FMS Client software on Windows 7 64 bit.

o Note that this does not include support for Nova-T4

Support for the SIMS and FMS SQL Server on Windows Server 2008 R2

 

As it's released November 19th, I'd say it's not worth worrying about it too much because even if the update is delayed for whatever reason they can't say they don't support the OS anymore. I'm sure they'd support the system now if you did end up in any trouble.

 

Interested to hear how you get on, as i haven't migrated my FMS yet, only the SIMS. I'm doing it in situ for now, then when both are running fine together will move both to a new server.

[drdos256]

Thanks for the suggestion (I have tried windows & SA, but the fundemental problem it appears that R2 is not supported by the migration tools) - from Capita "64-Bit R2 will be supported from the 19th November." - which confirms your post.

 

I'm going to take this as an opportunity and install from fresh on the 2008 box. I'm building a test 2003 server which I'll put sql05 and do the upgrade on that machine, then (hopefully) the 2008 express database can transfer onto the 2008r2 server (Is this ok ???)... that's the plan - I hope it works ! Finance are up and running with 6.132 shame I initially hit a brick wall with capita, but MANY THANKS to everyone that has contributed to this thread !

[vikpaw]

I don't think there should be an issue moving from SQL 2008 express to the Windows R2 server. Why don't you just put full SQL 2008 onto the windows 2003 box. That is how i'm running my SIMS at the moment. I'm upgrading my FMS this weekend on to the same server, so i can at least turn off the old SQL 2005.

 

Once things are quiet after our Eid break, I'm setting up a new box on Windows R2, and then will transfer both DBs so they are on a clean install, and perhaps even change the server name too.

[vikpaw]

If it's of use or interest:

 

I did the FMS migration today. It took around 20-30 mins going over the manual whilst having breakfast, then 10 mins to do the migration including it failing twice due to not being able to detach the database. It helped that SQL was already installed and working.

 

What took a few hours was getting everyone off the system (the ones that didn't log out as asked to yesterday!). Removing remote login ability, rebooting server, taking a snapshot, trying to shrink the db files prior to upgrade as i didn't think they would shrink well after, backing up both sims and fms dbs, setting up maintenance plans for backups afterwards and setting up email notification, lastly setting the growth rates on the files. Then getting it tested by the accountant. SIMSPLES.

 

Redirect service worked, but i just manually accessed the main users' machines and changed the FMSConnect.ini files as it was easier than getting to the machine physically or via rdp.

 

All SQL 2005 services disabled, and rebooted again. Is there a difference in speed? Not a great one, though an hour later things seemed to be a tad better, though not much.

 

Next step is to, after vacation, setup a new Server 2008 R2 box, with SQL, then moving the files across onto the clean and hopefully much quicker server... I guess i'll do the Autumn update then too, but not really wanting to do it so soon after launch.

[sturgeo]

I've just spoke to Capita .ict and they said that i can remotely host the database on a Server 2008 R2 box running SQL 2008 R2 Edited November 15, 2010 by sturgeo

[matt40k]

I've just spoke to Capita .ict and they said that i can remotely host the database on a Server 2008 R2 box running SQL 2008 R2

 

ROFL!! Is that just the database or the whole SIMS suite?

[sturgeo]

Just the database, i've installed SQL 2008 R2 so will let you know if it works when we migrate, i'll be honest though, i have my doubts!