[sims] Moving SIMS to new server

[jasonb007]

I want to move our SIMS to a new server as the old server is so old and slow. Also will be replacing my SIMS workstations, so basically, starting from scratch. I've done this before when SQL version was 2005 following excellent instruction from | SiX | Somerset Internet Exchange |. The existing server has recently been upgraded to SQL2008 so can't use these notes. I've tried in a test enviroment to setup but getting errors on the DBattach phase - Error ASSEMBLY dznet Does not exist, Please Run SIMSSQLApplicationSetup.exe.

 

I've started off by running the SIMS-FMS SQL2008.exe file, followed on screen prompts and changed the path to f:\program files\microsoft sql server etc.

 

Anyone done a move to new server using sql2008 and can point me in the right direction.

 

Thanks.

[jasonb007]

Jumped the gun a little, found the updated info !

 

Here for anyone else who needs to do it !

 

http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/sixv3/do_download.asp?did=24645

[jasonb007]

Just confirming the above instructions do work ! Done a succesful migration today. Excellent guide !

[mtillbrook]

Hi

I am just moving SIMS to a SQL 2012 server and am getting a similar error.

The link above doesnt work any more - does anyone have a clue?

 

Cheers!

[Rawns]

Hi

I am just moving SIMS to a SQL 2012 server and am getting a similar error.

The link above doesnt work any more - does anyone have a clue?

 

Cheers!

 

Nice to see that our documents were securely locked down back then!!!!

 

@mtillbrook - I guess your migrating juts SIMS .net and FMS?

[TheScarfedOne]

Not sure on the SQL version compat with current sims versions. I think there is a similar thread about this too... @vikpaw?

[Rawns]

SIMS and FMS are now supported on SQL 2012 since the SIMS Autumn release if migrated across manually. However, both SIMS AND FMS HAVEto be on the same SQL version.

 

SOLUS3 and Discover are not yet supported on SQL2012.

[matt40k]

SOLUS3 and Discover are not yet supported on SQL2012.

 

Been told it's because the SOLUS3 and Discover use VSDBCMD to deploy\upgrade the SQL database, which doesn't support SQL 2012 and it's replacement, SSDT, doesn't work with XP\2003 - which explains why they've holding off till they drop xp\2003 support for servers. Shame they didn't do what they did with SIMS and keep the application and database logic separate.

[whitejames]

We are just setting up a new SQL 2008 R2 Server I did a restore of the SIMS db but it does not show the security/roles within SQL how do I get this to be brought across as I want to test a workstation on the new test Server.

[Rawns]

Sounds like they were not transferred before the backup. When we do a backup, we run these commands first to make sure they are included in the backup:

 

osql –S127.0.0.1\sims2008 -E -n -Q"exec sims.sims.db_p_transfer_login"

 

osql –S127.0.0.1\sims2008 -E -n -Q"exec ccsfms.sims.db_p_transfer_login"

 

Also, when we migrate SIMS to a new server, we run these commands, detach the database and copy it across, then re-attach it. We don't restore from a backup.

[whitejames]

It comes up with osql does not support all features of SQL Server 2008 R2. Use sqlcmd instead.? Edited May 21, 2013 by whitejames

[vikpaw]

detaching and reattaching on the existing server, will copy the logins / credentials into the db (like those transfer logins scripts). you can then take a .bak file over elsewhere and restore it. restore then pushes them back and makes them usable. i hate detaching the live server though, just in case it doesn't reattach. Edited May 21, 2013 by vikpaw
add clarity on logins

[whitejames]

Thanks @vikpaw I will try this later today will have to kick users off to do this.

[vikpaw]

I did have a CR that asked for command line options to run those stored procedures from dbattach, but it got spring cleaned!

If you have sql management studio, you might be able to run it from there.

[LinkZ]

detaching and reattaching on the existing server, will copy the logins / credentials into the db (like those transfer logins scripts). you can then take a .bak file over elsewhere and restore it. restore then pushes them back and makes them usable. i hate detaching the live server though, just in case it doesn't reattach.

 

So you could just detach the database from the existing server, this will transfer the logins into the SIMS.mdf file, then attach the database on the new server and it will bring over all the SIMS logons? Does this work the same with the FMS database too?

[Rawns]

So you could just detach the database from the existing server, this will transfer the logins into the SIMS.mdf file, then attach the database on the new server and it will bring over all the SIMS logons? Does this work the same with the FMS database too?

 

It should do yes. However I always run the commands above manually before detaching a database just to be extra sure.

[LinkZ]

It should do yes. However I always run the commands above manually before detaching a database just to be extra sure.

 

From what i've read those commands copy the usernames and passwords which are stored in the master database into the sims database, then when you restore the database on the new server it moves them into the master database on the new server. Is that correct? Also does it leave the usernames in the original servers master database? I want to run the command but not affect the main server as I will be leaving it online for a while after running this.

[vikpaw]

Correct.

It won't affect your live server just update a table in the sims DB with a copy of your master DB logins.

If your destination server is not on the same domain any trusted logins may not transfer and you'll get an error on restore. But the rest will still work.

[MattGibson]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm also in the same situation of moving SIMS to a new 2008 server, I've tried the above links and they are no longer working. Does anyone have instructions or the order I need to perform the installation? - Some one mentioned just running the installs from the SIMSSHARE which ones though

 

Capita don't have any ISO available to download from SupportNet.... Any help would be much appreciated!

 

Regards

Matt

[Edu-IT]

Is there any truth to Capita not providing support if you do any migration yourself?

[matt40k]

Short answer, no, long answer yes, but...

 

Basically SIMS is a dotnet application, it uses a MS SQL database, it's pretty straight forward and standard but it does have a few elements that catch people out. So you need to do a bit of research before starting on stuff like DocStorage\DMS even if you are a Microsoft Pro. The other side is Capita don't support .net framework, MS-SQL, Windows, Office etc, they might give you installers and instructions but if the MSSQL server bit doesn't work, they'll confirm it isn't a application issue then fob you off to Microsoft.

 

The other aspect is if you have a managed service and could affect the support you've purchased, or other services that hang off it - one thing that comes to mind is Capita's crooked OpenVPN for InTouch and hosted SLG. They won't be giving you help installing that without a PO number!!

 

(Side note, I mean crooked as from what I've seen it's not always setup the same, it's pretty much depends who done it, the version aren't the same and they don't appear to update the client - this before we go into the whole if it goes wrong, do they have support like they keep tell us we need? Or is it even secure enough!!)

[vikpaw]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm also in the same situation of moving SIMS to a new 2008 server, I've tried the above links and they are no longer working. Does anyone have instructions or the order I need to perform the installation? - Some one mentioned just running the installs from the SIMSSHARE which ones though

 

Capita don't have any ISO available to download from SupportNet.... Any help would be much appreciated!

 

Regards

Matt

 

Which links are you trying? The one in the 2nd post didn't work but the 1st post has a link then on that page is another with a document. i haven't looked at the document to see how accurate it is though.

 

You can just run the files from the sims share, simsinst.exe should do it, but i think this only installs the SIMS components, whereas the installable iso will also install sql express if required. Someone may correct me though, i have done an install using simsinst, but prefer to use the installable as it gives you a clean setups folder which tends to get messy over time and also ensures you have the latest versions of the various executables and installer files, which sometimes aren't updated during the seasonal updates.

 

They used to make the download link available in a KB article : 110102 - but they changed that about a year ago so now you have to request it.

My most recent attempts and problems i encountered are here http://www.edugeek.net/forums/mis-systems/74019-setting-up-test-backup.html

but the summary is in a different thread here http://www.edugeek.net/forums/mis-systems/86523-sims-server-install-guide.html#post762047

 

I have done my own installs and mess with the test server all the time. I think it's just a get out clause to say you won't be supported, on the basis that if you screw something up, they won't waste time trying to fix it, at least not for free. It is very simple though and if you do it in a Virtual Machine you can always keep one snapshot of the working state to fall back to.

[Rawns]

@vikpaw is not quite right. Running SIMSInst.exe will give you the option to install a SQL Express instance as well if you choose the "This computer will be used as a SIMS Server". It also gives you the option to create a new database, attach an existing database, or do nothing (which will allow you to manually attach your database at a later time). Once SQL is installed, it also installs the SIMS SQL tools such as dbAttach and the Discover backup utility. Edited May 29, 2013 by Rawns

[vikpaw]

Right so what is the benefit of the installable? I was going by what the KB article said to a degree.

I always pre install full SQL anyway.

I guess it just makes sure all the .exe files are up to date.

[Rawns]

Right so what is the benefit of the installable? I was going by what the KB article said to a degree.

I always pre install full SQL anyway.

I guess it just makes sure all the .exe files are up to date.

 

Technically if your getting updates though SOLUS2, then it should check the signature files for all the applicable exe's and update all of them to the latest version. You should not really ever have an out of date setups folder as if SOLUS2 can;t update a specific file, it will throw out an error and roll back. You may find a few "old files" like the SQL2005 installer, migration tools etc, that are no longer used but the key installers for all SIMS components should be up to date, otherwise SOLUS2 would give you an error message when downloading/applying a upgrade and restore the previous files. And if you use SOLUS3 fully, than the setups folder is technically "obsolete" anyway.

 

Sometimes, I will download and install the Microsoft SQL 2008 R2 installer and install it ahead of a migration but in most instances, I jsut use the existing setuips folder and have never had an issue doing it this way. Just a shame that the Capita installer only Has SQL2008 and not SQL2008R2.

 

Funny, I'm doing a SIMS server move at the moment!

Edited May 29, 2013 by Rawns