Re: Upgrades - test server

[Ron Gagnon <gagnon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

We highly recommend a separate test and training server.

We first download all new software to our training system, which has
parameters like our main system and a subset of our database.  The second
smaller system allows us to test and experiment without inconveniencing
the users in our 28 libraries.  It gives us the opportunity to resolve
questions and issues with Innovative prior to general introduction to our
members.

We were one of the early all-Millennium customers and have always found 
this to be very helpful.

We also use the system to try out different parameter settings to 
determine all the ramifications of a change.

The system is also used for training new libraries or new staff members 
and for training on new modules, since imaginary patron and item records 
can be created and used without harming real statistics or databases.

Ronald A. Gagnon, Executive Director
North of Boston Library Exchange
Danvers, Massachusetts
gagnon@xxxxxxxxxx
Ph: 978-777-8844   Fax: 978-750-8472


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Upgrades - test server
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 13:15:19 -0500
From: Richard Kerver <RKERVER@xxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: innopac@xxxxxxxxxx
To: <innopac@xxxxxxxxxx>

Holy Cross expects to be live with Millennium on January 5th 2004.  The 
ongoing work of upgrades is a current topic of interest for us.  We 
would welcome feedback from other institutions.

We ordinarily replicate systems for the purpose of having a test server, 
to which we first apply upgrades & patches, so as to insure the 
integrity of our production systems.  We have not, as yet, for 
Millennium and are weighing the pros & cons.  Do any of you have test 
servers for Millennium?  If so, have you found it to be an advantage? 
If not, have there be times you wished you had one, because of a faulty 
upgrade or patch or its application?  Other ruminations or advise with 
respect to having or not having a test server?  Many thanks, in the 
season of thanks!

Richard Kerver
Information and Technology Services
College of the Holy Cross
phone 508-793-3055

email rkerver@xxxxxxxxxx


>>> innopac-request@xxxxxxxxxx 11/19/03 09:41PM >>>
Re: INNOPAC digest, Vol 1 #1105 - 18 msgs
Today's Topics:

    3. when to upgrade (Shores Mark)
    6. RE: when to upgrade (Eric Rhee)

Message: 6
From: Eric Rhee <erhee@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'innopac@xxxxxxxxxx'" <innopac@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: when to upgrade
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 11:43:18 -0800
Reply-To: innopac@xxxxxxxxxx

You will need to do it sooner or later because Innovative slowly stops
supporting earlier releases. I believe they have test machines loaded with
the various releases so Helpdesk staff can recreate situations but they
don't retain this capability in perpetuity. [someone correct me if this has
changed] In my case, my predecessor did not want to upgrade to Phase 2 so we
were still on 2003 Phase 1.  One day I went to look for Phase 1
documentation and it had been removed from CSDirect.  Why wait?  The upgrade
instructions are very complete, with some careful advanced planning and
communication with your staff it will go smoothly.  Luckily I tested my FTP
server first because our MIS people had changed IP addresses, but once that
was set properly on III's end for incoming and outgoing communication with
Innovative's software server, it went well. More time was spent loading JRE
1.4.1 on the client PC's than on the actual system software and file
building process - and I had to go from Phase 1 to 2 to 3 all in the same
evening. I did it after we closed on a Sunday and set the first day up as a
circulation "closed day" so no items were due , allowing  circulation staff
to spend time with me doing a re-orientation, problem solving and
hand-holding. Tech services initially had fewer issues but they are now [4
weeks since the upgrade] coming to me.  I am still finding kinks to work out
and learning about the features.  I posted the enhancements list in advance
for staff to see, but some are so subtle that staff are still asking "why
did we do this".

-----Original Message-----
From: Shores Mark [mailto:shores@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 11:11 AM
To: INNOPAC@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: when to upgrade


How long is it advisable to wait before ugprading to Phase 3?

Thanks,
Mark Shores
Univ. of Arkansas-Monticello






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Elizabeth Thomsen, Member Services Manager
NOBLE: North of Boston Library Exchange
Danvers MA 01923
et@xxxxxxxxxx