CRM setup and configuration

[DKMr]

Hello, I am testing and deploying CRM for my organization and I am having trouble getting enough good technical information from MS, and I would appreciate any input from any of you that are knowledgeable in CRM.

MS recommends that CRM should not be installed on a domain controller, but is there any specific reason that it should not be? We are a small company and currently have 2 DC's. The main DC is on a newer Windows Server 2003 2.4Ghz system, but it also hosts all the primary DC duties, plus Exchange server 2003, and the Symantec Antivirus server. Can CRM be added to this server? MS states that Small Business Server can handle all of these, but can Server 2003 Enterprise handle it to? Our other DC is only a 400Mhz and so it can not run CRM.

Thanks in advance!

 

[richardy]

Hi,

Yes it can. If the application is on different servers from Exchange and MS SQL then you have the issue of having to make all network calls which slows it down slightly.

Make sure you server has plenty of memory, thats the main thing.

Regards,

Richard.
Prior Analytics UK

http://www.prior-analytics.com

 

[porterno]

I hope this doesn't find you too late but I would advise you against installing in on DC. I did and tanked my CRM installation - so far I haven't been able to resolve the issue. Microsoft recommends against it unless it is on a SBS installation. And unfortunately there seems to a dearth of technical support out there for CRM admins.

 

[DKMr]

Thanks for the responses. I did end up installing it on my primary DC and it so far has held up. I've had one crash and I did get some errors in the Crystal Reports component that I had to resolve (had to use the FQDN of the server for the WCS server name). But other than that it has worked, albeit a little slow, but that could be just the way MSCRM is.

 

[HarlequinAtWork]

DK

I'm in the process of speccing out a system for CRM and would love to keep in-touch with you on this through e-mail if possible.

I'm going to be deploying it on server premium as it comes with Exchange and SQL which CRM requires (I'm told). With regards the question of using a DC I am reliably informed that the two whould never meet, no-one tells me why, only that I shouldn't deploy CRM on a DC...!

Anyway, you can reach me through the web address below. I'll certainly be placing more posts and maybe even some FAQs.

-----------------------
Michael Mason
Arras People

http://www.arraspeople.co.uk

-----------------------

 

[forumgeek]

I would also advise against installing to a DC. Most likely you will run into authentication errors across the platform. Most likely in reports. The problem is because in certain server configurations, the authentication methods fails. The errors are sporadic by changes in AD. Bottom line, if you require MS support to assist you with a fix when you recieve and error with CRM on a DC you will most likely be turned away until you have a supported installation.