Day: July 28, 2011

CRM 2011 – Things to consider when building a Microsoft CRM 2011 VM

HoskLeave a comment

I created a virtual machine for CRM 2011 with the idea of making it self sufficient so I could put it onto a laptop and take it offline and use it to demo to customers.

I added the sql server and IIS server for the CRM web application but I was still using the company active directory.  I was discussing this with a friend and he was saying that it wasn’t going to work because as soon as I took this offline on the laptop, it would try and check the active directory, which it won’t be able to find and then I will have problems.

I have been mulling this over and basically thinking I would use the CRM 2011 virtual machine created by Microsoft and then today I read this great article with instructions to build a Microsoft CRM 2011 Virtual VM, it is a small succinct instructions

Install the Platform:

  • Create a new Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit VM (VirtualBox is good for this), enable a shared folder, grant at least 3GB RAM
  • Complete the Windows 2008 installation and initial configuration
  • Turn off “Internet Explorer Enhanced Security” (via Server Manager)
  • Assign a static IP address to the server
  • Add the Domain Services and DNS server roles
  • Promote the server to be a domain controller (dcpromo)
  • Install SQL Server 2008 R2 (including Full Text Search and SSRS, set SQL Agent to auto start)
  • Test SSRS (http://servername/reportmanager)
  • Create an Organizational Unit in the AD to house  the CRM AD Groups

Install CRM:

  • Install CRM Server
  • Test CRM (http://servername:portnumber)
  • Add sample data
  • Install CRM Reporting Extensions (SSRS Data  Connector)
  • Test CRM Reports
  • Install Email Router
  • Install the latest CRM Rollup Packs
  • Install Microsoft Office
  • Add a second (bridged) adaptor to the VM to add internet access
  • Configure Outlook to send/receive via Gmail pop3 and smtp
  • Configure the Email Router to send/receive via Gmail pop3 and smtp
  • Configure a user to use the router, test email send and receive
  • Install the CRM Outlook Client and associated Rollup Pack
  • Test the CRM Outlook Client
  • Optionally install Visual Studio, CRM SDK, 3rd party tools like the View Replicator, etc