In Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Server, you can install specific server functionality, components, and services on different computers. These components and services correspond to specific server roles. For example, customers who have larger user bases can install the Front End Server role on two or more servers that run Internet Information Services (IIS) to increase throughput performance for users. Or, a Full Server role can be installed on one computer and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Reporting Extensions on another. If a server role is missing, Deployment Manager displays a message in the Messages area.
Server roles
Use one of the following options to install server roles:
- Run the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Setup Wizard to select one or more server role groups or one or more individual server roles. If Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 2011 is already installed, you can use Programs and Features in Control Panel to add or remove server roles.
Configure an XML Setup configuration file and then run Setup at the command prompt to specify a server role group or one or more individual server roles.You cannot explicitly select the SQL Server "role" for installation during Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Setup. This is a logical role that SQL Server sets when you specify a particular instance of SQL Server, either local or on another computer (recommended) for use in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment.
Note
At any time after the initial installation of server roles, you can add or remove server roles in Control Panel. For more information, see Uninstall, change, or repair Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 2011.
Available group server roles
Although these server role groups are recommended for most deployments, any individual server role may be installed during Setup.
All server roles must be running in your organization’s network to provide a fully functioning system.
Server Role Group |
Description |
Scope |
Installation Method |
|---|---|---|---|
Full Server |
Contains all roles from Front End Server, Back End Server, and Deployment Administration Server. By default, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Setup deploys the system as Full Server. In a Full Server deployment, server roles are not listed separately in Control Panel. To view the installed roles or make changes, right-click Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Server, click Uninstall/Change, and then click Configure. |
Deployment |
Full
|
Front End Server |
Enables the server roles for running client applications and applications developed with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Software Development Kit. |
Deployment |
Group or Full |
Back End Server |
Includes the server roles that handle processing asynchronous events, such as workflows and custom plug-ins. These roles are usually not exposed to the Internet. For a list of server roles that are included in this group, see the following table. |
Deployment |
Group or Full |
Deployment Administration Server |
Enables the server roles for components that are used to manage the Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment either by using the methods described in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Deployment Software Development Kit or the deployment tools. For a list of server roles that are included in this group, see the following table. |
Deployment |
Group or Full |
Available individual server roles
Server Role | Description | Server Group | Scope | Installation Method | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discovery Web Service | Finds the organization that a user belongs to in a multi-tenant deployment. | Front End Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Organization Web Service | Supports running applications that use the methods described in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Software Development Kit. | Front End Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Web Application Server | Runs the Web Application Server that is used to connect users to Microsoft Dynamics CRM data. The Web Application Server role requires the Organization Web Service role. | Front End Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Help Server | Makes Microsoft Dynamics CRM Help available to users. | Front End Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Asynchronous Service | Processes queued asynchronous events, such as workflows, bulk e-mail, or data import. | Back End Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Sandbox Processing Service | Enables an isolated environment to allow for the execution of custom code, such as plug-ins. This isolated environment reduces the possibility of custom code affecting the operation of the organizations. | Back End Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Deployment Web Service | Manages the deployment by using the methods described in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Deployment Software Development Kit. | Deployment Administration Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Deployment Tools | Consists of the Deployment Manager and Windows PowerShell cmdlets. Microsoft Dynamics CRM administrators can use the Windows PowerShell cmdlets to automate Deployment Manager tasks. Deployment Manager is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that system administrators can use to manage organizations, servers, and licenses for deployments of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. | Deployment Administration Server | Deployment | Individual, Group, or Full | |||
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Reporting Extensions | Provides reporting functionality by interfacing with the Microsoft Dynamics CRM system and Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services. | N/A | Organization | Individual by using srsDataConnectorSetup.exe. | |||
SQL Server | Installs the MSCRM_CONFIG database on the SQL Server. | N/A | Deployment | Individual during Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Setup or from Deployment Manager Edit Organization Wizard. | |||
Scope definition
- Deployment. Each instance of the server role services the entire deployment.
- Organization. Each instance of the server role services an organization. Therefore, you can use a different server role instance for a given organization.
Installation method definition
- Individual, Group, or Full. During Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Setup, you can install a server role individually, install one of the three predefined groups of server roles, or perform a Full Server installation that includes all roles. Or, you can select multiple individual server roles.
- srsDataConnectorSetup.exe. Install this role on the computer where Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is running by using Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Setup.
For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM server roles and multiple server deployment, see the Install Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 2011 on multiple computers topic in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Planning Guide.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server role requirements
The following table describes the components necessary for each Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server role. An "X" indicates the component is required for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server role to install and function. Notice that, in most cases if a component is not already installed Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Setup will install it.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 2011 Server Role Prerequisites | |||
Component | Back-end Server | Front-end Server | Deployment Server |
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services ReportViewer control |
| X |
|
SQL Server Native Client | X | X | X |
Microsoft Application Error Reporting Tool | X | X | X |
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library | X | X | X |
Windows Identity Foundation (WIF) Framework | X | X | X |
Windows Server 2008 Web Server Role |
| X | X |
Indexing Service |
| X |
|
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 | X | X | X |
Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .NET Framework |
| X |
|
Windows Azure platform AppFabric SDK | X | X | X |
Windows PowerShell |
|
| X |
Microsoft URL Rewrite Module for IIS |
| X |
|
File Server Resource Manager |
| X |
|
The following table describes the group membership for the Active Directory that is used by Microsoft Dynamics CRM. An “X” indicates the group membership required for the service to function.
Group Membership Requirements | ||||
Service | PrivUser Group | SQLAccess Group | PrivReporting Group | Reporting Group |
Deployment Web Service service account | X | X |
|
|
Web Application Service* | X | X |
|
|
Asynchronous Service service account | X | X |
|
|
Sandbox Processing Service service account** |
|
|
|
|
SQL Server service account |
| X |
|
|
SQL Server Reporting Services server account | X |
| X |
|
E-mail Router service account | X |
|
|
|
Installing User/Service account |
|
|
| X |
Individual user accounts in Microsoft Dynamics CRM |
|
|
| X |
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Core/Platform service account*** | X | X |
|
|
Unzip Service service account*** | X |
|
|
|
* The Web Application Service identity is applied to the CRMAppPool application pool. Subsequently, this identity is used by the Web Service and Web Application.
** The Sandbox Service does not need any Microsoft Dynamics CRM group membership.
*** This service account uses the same identity as the Web Application Service account.
Note
Email Router runs as a local system.
Important
- The Installing user should be a separate service account, but it should not be used to run any services.
- If any of the service accounts are created as users in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, you may encounter various problems, some of which are potential security issues.