Exporting Single Entities using CRMSvcUtil tool

In the last days while working on a CRM customization project that interacts with SharePoint web parts, while refactoring the code, I thought of trying to minimize the size of the file generated originally by the CRMSvcUtil by only choosing the needed entities in my solution. The generated file was almost 5MB in size which is a very big load to the system, but apparently in CRM SDK 2011 microsoft removed the parameter called Entity to specify specific entities. Then I searched the web and found this great post that give a perfect, simple, and working solution for this issue 

http://erikpool.blogspot.com/2011/03/filtering-generated-entities-with.html

CRM Error - Invalid Action: Solved

While working on an MSCRM project I encountered the following error all over the site and I could do nothing 

I checked MSCRM services in Services.msc and found the Asynchronus Processing Service stopped

I started it and all is fine again !

Installation of CRM 2011 on windows 2008 R2 AND SQL 2012

Installation of CRM 2011 on windows 2008 R2 AND SQL 2012:

Hardware:

·         Virtual Machine >> 6 GB

·         Virtual Machine >> 4 GB

Software:

·         First VM: SQL + DC

o   Windows Server 2012

o   SQL Server 2012

o   SSRS Reporting Service

·         Second VM: CRM

o   Windows Server 2008 R2

I started by Installing SP1 for server 2008 R2, then I installed CRM2011, No issues showed up, also the users for services were added as per the book, the Installation was completed successfully. Then I installed Roll-Ups 6 and 12 since both are needed for compatibility with SQL 2012.

Issue 1:

·         The site was working normally, I was trying to install the SSRS connector, and during installation the installer couldn’t locate the Report Server Instance.

·         So I installed the SSRS as a feature on the same CRM Server connecting to the already installed SSRS report server on the SQL machine, without creating a new instance.

·         Then I tried to start a new Installation for the connector, It could locate the report server instance normally and the installation was successful.

      NA: You should install SSRS connector on the server where SQL is installed, and make sure that your CRM installation files are the latest, and downloading latest updates.

Best practices in MS-CRM Installation: Service Accounts

MSCRM Service Accounts:

I am installing MS-CRM on a server running windows server 2008 R2, and another server hosting the SQL2012 running on windows server 2012 

during the installation of CRM2011, this screen will appear 

Now I will show how to succeed in adding valid accounts : 

NA: you dont have to stick to the naming below, but Always  give clear names

1. CRM Application Service Account
• Name: CRMAppSvcAcc
• Add to Performance Log Users group
• Add to  local Administrators group
2. CRM Deployment Web Service Account
• Name: CRMDeploySvcAcc
• Add to Performance Log Users group
• Add to  local Administrators group
3. CRM Sandbox Processing Service Account
• Name: CRMSandboxSvcAcc
• Add to Performance Log Users group
4. CRM Asynchronous Processing Service Account
• Name: CRMAsyncSvcAcc
• Add to Performance Log Users group

If you are using a Server for MS-CRM and a Server for MS-SQL then make sure to add the users to groups on both servers, else you will see this error

Good Luck :)

I am ready for any questions