I like to keep up to date on Siebel and other technology. To help me keep my skills in check, I have a full Siebel installation running on virtual machines on my home desktop:
I found this to be a very useful mini project that has taught me a lot about installation and configuration of Siebel applications, as well as it’s supporting technologies. Here’s a brief guide for anyone looking to do the same:
- If you’re a Microsoft shop, subscribe to Microsoft Technet. I’ve found this service invaluable. With a Technet subscription, you have access to a host of technologies that you can use free of charge, for evaluation and testing purposes. Windows 7, HyperV, Windows Server 2003/2008, Office 2010 are all available through a Technet subscription and will give you a great basis to start building your own infrastructure
- Download Siebel software from Oracle eDelivery. Again, this is free for evaluation purposes. SIA and SEA are now delivered together, so a single set of installation media for your platform choice will cover all options
- Download database software such as Oracle XE (free for personal use), Oracle 11gR2 (for evaluation purposes) or whichever database software you want to use, such as SQL Server or MySQL
- Download a virtualization solution. I use Windows Virtual PC with Windows 7 but you can use Virtual Server 2005, VMWare Server or any number of free products
- Create virtual machines for your database server, Siebel / Web Server, BIP Server and XP / Windows 7 clients
- Install your server OS on each of your VMs, taking care to apply Service Packs and patches up to the required level
- Initialise your database instance
- Install and patch the Siebel base software and set up the Gateway and Enterprise Servers (this will create an ODBC data source for the Database installation)
- Install the Database
- Configure the Siebel Gateway, Enterprise Server, Siebel Server and SWE components
- Install BIP and configure
- Install and patch Client and Tools on your client VMs – I like to keep an XP client available for testing as not everything works according to plan on Windows 7
You’ll find it a useful and satisfying learning experience to set up an entire enterprise. Feel free to post your experiences!
What your your desktop machine configuration (Memory, CPU etc.) ? Did you use Siebel VM template provided by oracle for your Siebel server config.
Hello GP!
I have the VMs running on an Intel i5 750 CPU (overclocked to 3GHz), 8GB RAM, 40GB SSD boot drive and a 1.5TB SATA HD. All running on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I didn’t use a VM template as I wanted to learn how to install from scratch. However, if you have info on a preconfigured template, I’d be really interested to hear it!
coooooooool post,thank you for sharing
Just a quick update on this. I’ve now switched from Virtual PC to Virtual Box. This is a free virtualization solution from Oracle and is much more powerful than Virtual PC.
Hi Oli,
I tried to installed tools in Windows 7 Ultimate 64bits, and it starts ok, but I am having problems with the odbc since are not detected. How did you fix that?
Thanks
Hi Diego,
As far as I recall, you need to use the 32-bit version of ODBC Administrator to configure the data source. I think you’ll find the correct version in %WINDIR%\SysWOW64\ODBCAD32.exe
Regards,
Oli
Hi Oli,
I am just new to siebel. I just want to learn Siebel installation,configration,integration etc. can you help me,where to start.
Hi!
Siebel is a huge, complex Enterprise software solution. Even learning the basics is difficult – it was made much harder with Siebel’s tight reign on third party books and publications. This is changing, though, now that Oracle own the software. You could do worse than to have a look at the new book by Alex Hansal:
http://www.packtpub.com/oracle-siebel-crm-8-developers-handbook/book
However, the best way to learn is to get yourself booked on a Siebel Consultant training course with Oracle University, then get some practical experience on a project.
Regards,
Oli
Hi Oli,
Thanks for your quick reply.I will go for training soon and If I will face some issues I will contact you.
Can I have your Email ID(Facebook or Gmail or Orkut)
Hope you don’t mind.
With Regards
Gaurav Taneja..
Hi Gaurav,
Good luck with the training. Feel free to post on the blog if you have any particular issues in the future.
Regards,
Oli
Hi Oli,
Thanks. I will start from Siebel Configration.
with regards
gaurav taneja
Hi Oli
I am a beginner in siebel. I using a windows 7 prof OS and trying to install siebel tools using the method suggested by you above. I have installed Oracle VM virtualbox. however when i select the media for booting (CD drive with the XP bootable) i get the following message:
Verificando a configuracao do hardware..
I was unable to carry forward the installation using iso image
please suggest how I can move forward.
Hi jjt!
If you’re having trouble booting an XP ISO with VirtualBox, I suggest you visit the VirtualBox forums. There’s not much I can do to help you with that. I built an XP VM for the Web Client and Tools and had no problems booting an XP Professional ISO that I downloaded with my Microsoft Technet subscription.
Regards,
Oli
Hi Oli,
I was able to install Siebel tools and client on my machine by setting up a virtual machine. Thanks.
I f you could also help me with the language set up. I tried changing the language to English using the Language and Region settings from control panel but failed. Actually I couldnt understand the laguage(Portuguese I think) can you help?
Thanks in advance.
Hi jjt,
Not sure what it is you’re trying to do. If you’ve installed Windows XP and selected a non-English language then you’ll probably need to start again, making sure you choose ‘English’. If you’re Siebel Client language is incorrect, you need to download the appropriate Language Pack and ensure you select that language when you do the install.
Regards,
Oli