Microsoft Dynamics CRM server roles

 

Applies To: Dynamics CRM 2015

With Microsoft Dynamics CRM 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.

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 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. For more information, see Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server XML configuration file.

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.

Important

If you have a Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment that includes one or more Front End Server and Back End Server roles, the Language Pack must be installed on the computer that has the Front End Server role. If you have deployed individual server roles, the Language Packs must be installed on the computers that are running the Web Application Server and the Help Server roles.

In This Topic

Available group server roles

Available individual server roles

Scope definition

Installation method definition

Install the Microsoft CRM Asynchronous Service to process only asynchronous events or email

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server role requirements

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 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 SDK.

Deployment

Group or Full

Back End Server

Includes the server roles that handle processing asynchronous events, such as workflows and custom plug-ins, database maintenance, and email routing. 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 SDK or the deployment tools. Also includes the interface for database disaster recovery support.

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 SDK.

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

Email Integration Service

Handles sending and receiving of email messages by connecting to an external email server.

Back End Server

Deployment

Individual, Group, or Full

Deployment Web Service

Publishes the web service that provides the deployment interface described in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM SDK, such as those used to create an organization or manage the list of Deployment Administrators for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment.

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 deployment 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 VSS Writer

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM VSS Writer service provides an interface to backup and restore Dynamics CRM data by using the Windows Server Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) infrastructure.

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

Deployment

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.

  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM Reporting Extensions. Install this role using srsDataConnectorSetup.exe on the computer where Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services is running.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics CRM server roles and multiple server deployment, see Install Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server on multiple computers.

Install the Microsoft CRM Asynchronous Service to process only asynchronous events or email

The Microsoft CRM Asynchronous Processing Service (NT style service) can be used to process asynchronous events and email, accounts, contacts, and tasks using server-side synchronization. Depending on what server roles you select during Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server Setup, you can configure the Asynchronous Service to have the following features.

  • Selecting both Asynchronous Service and Email Integration Service server roles installs the Asynchronous Processing Service that will be configured to process both asynchronous events and email, accounts, contacts, and tasks using server-side synchronization.

  • Selecting only the Asynchronous Service server role installs the Asynchronous Processing Service that will be configured to process only asynchronous events.

  • Selecting only the Email Integration Service server role, installs the Asynchronous Processing Service that will be configured to only process email, accounts, contacts, and tasks by using server-side synchronization.

Given these options, you can separate asynchronous events from server-side synchronization to help improve CRM system performance and simplify monitoring.

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 Role Prerequisites

Component

Back End Server

Front End Server

Deployment Administration 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 Web Server Role

X

X

Indexing Service

X

Microsoft .NET Framework 4

X

X

X

Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .NET Framework

X

Microsoft Azure platform 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

PrivUserGroup

SQLAccessGroup

PrivReportingGroup

ReportingGroup

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

Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services server account

X

X

Email Router service account

X

Installing User/Service account

X

Individual user accounts in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

X

Unzip Service service account

X

Microsoft Dynamics CRM VSS Writer service account

X

X

* The Web Application Service identity is applied to the CRMAppPool application pool. Subsequently, this identity is used by the Organization Service, Web Application, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform.

** The Sandbox Service does not need any Microsoft Dynamics CRM group membership.

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.

See Also

Microsoft Dynamics CRM multiple-server deployment
Support for Microsoft Dynamics CRM multiple-server topologies

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