SIMS Deployment Server
Capita are working on a new SIMS Deployment Server which, it is hoped, will streamline the installation of the SIMS client and associated infrastructure to machines in schools.
Replacing the current system with SOLUS 3, the Deployment Server will employ a service that controls SIMS updates at school by communication with a SIMS Agent on the client workstation.
The SIMS Agents sit on each SIMS computer, understanding the role of the machine (e.g. SIMS SQL Server or FMS Client).
These “smart” agents can update SIMS without user intervention as well as install clients afresh. As infrastructure packages can also be deployed, it should remove the need for visits to PCs.
Updates can also be deployed when it is convenient for the school (overnight, middle of the day etc.).
We are attending a SIMS Technical Consultation Group in Doncaster on Tuesday 18th November 2008, so we’ll hopefully be able to provide more information after this event.
I know some schools have already seen a presentation on the subject so please fill any gaps in this post by commenting below!
Sam Prince:
Hi John,
That was pretty much how they sold it to us at the single site seminar. They were hopeful that there would be some sort of reporting function in a central console similar to how WSUS works for Windows Updates so that installation progress could be monitored. At the moment I can use a tool from Microsoft called GPInventory to get the version numbers of all the pulsar.exe’’s but the PCs have to be on at the time when I run it.
It will be a massive improvement to be able to install and update SIMS reliably without needing a user to log on. We have most computers in school configured for Wake On Lan already, so it would just be a case of starting them up overnight to take the update then shutting them down an hour later. Maybe they could even get their console to handle some of that.
I”m not sure about using it to install FMS. Karl and I have probably installed FMS 20 times between us and I don”t think any 2 have been the same. They certainly never go as per the documentation, which I think currently says: “run s:\sims\setups\fms\FMSApplicationSetup.exe” !
2 December 2008, 9:46 amJohn Howarth:
Hi Sam,
Thanks for taking the time to post.
Regarding FMSApplicationSetup.exe, there is a new installer available but only from the “installable CD” which is for new installations. There is also a new version of SIMSInst.exe.
I”m hoping to get the new SETUPS folder out to all our supported schools soon - it’’s on our ever-growing list of things to do - so you”d be welcome to a copy.
As I mentioned in my initial post, we”re keen to get involved with the development of the Deployment Server early doors. You can keep an eye on SupportNet for details, but I”ll give you a nudge if I hear anything.
2 December 2008, 11:00 am