MCTS: MB6-872 Dynamics AX 2012 Installation & Configuration

Now it’s official, I know how to install Dynamics AX 2012

Dynamics AX 2012 on Windows Server 8 Beta with SQL 2012 RC0

Microsoft recently released Windows Server 8 Beta and Windows 8 Consumer Preview. So my first though was about running Dynamics AX 2012 on Server 8 and Windows 8. However, installing AX 2012 on Server 8 failed due incompatibility with windows installer. But Windows Server 8 and Windows 8 Betas still come with an upgrade option. So I had the idea install AX 2012 on Server 2008 R2 and upgrade to Windows Server 8 Beta.

Prolog (the IBM x3400 thing)

We’ve bought an IBM x3400 M3 server for a customer. We’re still waiting for some hard disks to deliver, so the server is unused and becomes my testing platform for the moment. Installing Windows 8 Beta was straight forward, but as mentioned installing AX 2012 failed. So next I failed installing Windows Server 2008 R2 because no hard disk was found (missing driver). The solution:

• Download drivers from IBM IBM ServeRAID M Series and MR10 SAS Controller Driver for Windows
• Extracting them, copy the win2k8r2-64 directory on USB stick (2nd Image, Yellow USB stick)
• Start Windows Server 2008 R2 installation from DVD and provide drivers from USB

  

IBM x3400 M3 and Raid driver on USB for Windows Server 2008 R2 installation

Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012 RC0

Next I’ve joined the new 2008 R2 server to our domain. Loving Betas, Previews and other unstable stuff I’ve installed SQL Server 2012 RC0 to serve as database server for AX.

• Installed .NET Framework 3.5.1 Feature using Server Manager
• Installed .NET Framework 4.0 Full package
• Installed NDP40-KB2390372-v2-x64 patch for .NET 4.0
• Installed C++ Runtime Environments from AX 2012 DVD
• Installed SQL Server Native Client
• Installed Report Viewer 2012 from AX 2012 DVD
• Installed Identity Foundation from AX 2012 DVD
• Installed Open XML SDK for Office from AX 2012 DVD
• Installed SQL Server 2012 RC0 full featured

  

  SQL Server 2012 RC0 Full Featured

  Pizza Break

  Ham, Eggs, Bacon, Onion and Corn, Coke and Tiramisu

  

  Admin’s workplace

  Dynamics AX 2012

  AX on SQL 2012 RC0 is a little bit tricky, because even database creation failed. So I’ve set up an AOS using another SQL Server 2008 R2 with an existing AX 2012 database and baseline. Next I restored an AX 2012 database from a backup in SQL 2012 RC0 and configured the AOS to use it. Works as it should. However, the reporting extensions are not compatible with RC0 and installation failed.

  AX 2012 using SQL 2012 RC0

  Upgrade to Windows Server 8 Beta

• Installed Windows Server Backup Feature from Server Manager and create a backup
• Downloaded Server 8 ISO
• Extracted it and copied it onto an USB stick using xcopy *.* /s/e/f u:\\
• Started Upgrade from DVD or USB
• The Upgrade took quite a lot of time until windows was ready

  

Windows Server 8 Beta Data Center Edition with GUI

Upgrade an existing Installation

Windows Server 8 Beta is starting up, …

Finally! Windows Server was upgraded from 2008 R2 to 8 Beta

Repairing Dynamics AX

Well, Windows as upgraded successfully but Dynamics AX is not working any more Starting the AOS results in an error. Reviewing the windows event error logs brings up the details:

Object Server 01:  Error accessing registry: Cannot open key SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dynamics Server\6.01. Error code: 0

Object Server 01:  The directory "C:\Windows\system32\\bin" does not exist or access to it has been denied by the operating system.

Object Server 01:  The home directory for Axapta (C:\Windows\system32\) does not match the required structure or can not be accessed. Please check installation, configuration and access rights.

Object Server 01:  Server terminated unexpectedly with 10 exitcode.

The reason is an missing registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DynamicsServer\601

I solved this issue by importing an AX configuration from another server’s registry

• Opened an RDP session to an other 2008 R2 server running an AX 2012 AOS
• Start > Run > regedit
• Navigated to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DynamicsServer\60
• Exported the registry key as file (Context Menu > Export)
• Copied the .reg file the Server 8 Beta desktop and imported it
  There are a lot of settings and paths in the registry, make sure these settings apply to your w8 server
• Started the Server Configuration Utility and changed the database setting back to localhost
• Started the AOS
• Started the Client

Dynamics AX 2012 running on Windows Server 8 Beta

Using a Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid HDD to boost performance on a Dynamics AX 2012 presentation laptop

Momentus XT is a hybrid HDD that combines a 7200rpm drive with a large SSD cache. I’ve bought one to run a  Dynamics AX 2012 presentation laptop. By design the performance is getting better for frequent tasks. Here are my results:

Testcases:

1. Boot Windows Server 2008 R2 until STRG+ALT+DEL screen appears
2. Start Dynamics AX client and wait until role center has finished loading and rendering reports
3. Post a sales order confirmation with 20 lines

Laptop: HP 8540w Mobile Workstation, 8GB RAM, Core i7 2,8GHz
Software: Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Dynamics AX 2012 CU1, SQL Server 2008 R2, Enterprise Portal with SharePoint Server 2010

	HDD	XT #1	XT #2	XT #3	XT #4	XT #5
Boot	03:05	03:13	02:36	01:48	01:54	01:46
Start AX	00:51	00:40	00:31	00:18	00:17	00:18
Confirmation	02:30	01:40	00:59	00:59	01:07	00:59

Evolution: Lenovo x100e to Lenovo x121e

I’ve recently purchased a Lenovo x121e with AMD Processor to replace my good old x100e Laptop. In general I’d prefer HP but there are some reasons why I’ve become a fan of Lenovos x100* series.

• Thinkpad like style, keyboard and quality
• Excellent driver support
• Fair price, x121e with AMD processor ~ 370 €

I’ve decided to buy the AMD version because the dual core CPU and 4 GB RAM are sufficient for working with Office and running Skype. Its much cheaper than the Intel i3 version. The design has been improved, it’s a bit larger than the x100e and got an HDMI port.

However, the x121e AMD version does not have an integrated WWAN module. This may be one reason why its that cheaper compared to the Intel version. Fortunately the old x100e has one (Gobi 2000) that can be transferred to the x121e.

1. Open the back of both laptops, the Qualcomm Gobi 2000 module is located on the lower left corner
   
2. Remove the module from the x100e laptop
   
3.   Put it in the free x121e slot, fix it and connect both cables
   
4. Close the back of the x121e and boot windows. Download the latest Qualcomm Gobi 2000 driver software from Lenovo. Search for x100e drivers, and use the ThinkPad Activation tool for the x121e.
    

MB6-820 Dynamics AX 2009 Installation & Configuration

I’ve passed the MB6-820 Dynamics Ax 2009 Installation & Configuration exam. Questions are fair and with some experience installing AX in different environments you have a good chance to pass the exam with a high score.

Dynamics Certifications

Windows and SQL Server Certifications

HP MT 3300 in SBS 2008 Environment running Dynamics AX 2009

I’ve recently added a HP MT 3300 Desktop PC to a Small Business Server 2008 domain running Dynamics AX 2009. Out of the box I was facing two issues:

1) SBS 2008 reported an error it could not communicate with the new client machine.

2) Opening the AOT was freezing the Dynamics AX client and crashed after a while because of insufficient memory. Very strange issue that could not to be fixed with any rollup or hotfix for Dynamics AX 2009.

 

 

Solution 1)
Per default the machine is running Norton Internet Security. Go to Settings > Network Settings > Firewall > Access Control. Set the SBS Server machine to Full Trust.

Solution 2)
Thanks to Microsoft Support: HP Security Manager is causing this issue (not only on MT 3300). Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP ProtectTools Security Manager\Bin and find the DpFbView.dll file. Rename the file to DpFbView.old.

Beautiful Terminal Server

Working on Terminal Server is often seen as ugly and unpleasant. Connection from outside with low bandwith it is indeed not a pleasure. However, working on Terminal Server inside the lcoal area network can be a great experience. With Server 2008 R2 you may use windows themes, styles, audio and video. Here is an example of my Terminal Server session at work.

Book Review: DAX 2009 Administration

I’ve bought and read the book Dynamics AX 2009 Administration by Marco Carvallo. It’s a book for Dynamics AX admins working with AX 2009. However, I’ve found some positive and negative points.

• The book puts administration in the context of Dynamics Sure Step
• It contains backup and performance optimization
• It covers the basic real life topics and is therefor usefull for daily work
• It spares the more rare topics like project server integration
• It leaves the gap between EP installation and development / security configuration

MCTS: Small Business Server 2008, Configuration

Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration (70-640) passed

I passed the 70-640 Active Directory exam   To summarize it’s a good idea to have some practice and it’s extremely useful to attend a course or at least watch some training videos e.g. Trainsignal.