Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the “Five Server Topology”

While reading the “Deploying and administering Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and Dynamics CRM 2015 Dynamics”-Guide I was introduced to the concept of the “Five Server topology”; but what exactly is this and how is it configured?

The five-server topology is for small to midsize user bases, typically 25 or fewer users concurrently using Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The following example depicts a possible configuration running a supported version of Windows Server and the required and optional software technologies. It also includes a Full Server deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server that is configured for an Internet-facing deployment (IFD).

A five server topology can consist of the following configuration:

• Server 1: Running on Microsoft Windows Server as a functioning domain controller.
• Server 2: Running on Windows Server as a secondary domain controller and Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) server.
• Server 3: Running on Windows Server with IIS and an Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) proxy.
• Server 4: Running on Windows Server with an instance of Microsoft SQL Server the includes the database engine, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Reporting Extensions.
• Server 5: Running on Windows Server, IIS, and a Full Server deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server configured for Internet-facing deployment (IFD).
• CRMWebClient, CRMforOutlook, tablet, and phone devices: These computers and devices are running applications that are available, connecting from the Internet or the LAN-based network, such as CRM for Outlook, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for tablets, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM for phones.

Disclaimer: this text is part of the “Deploying and administering Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online and Dynamics CRM 2015 Dynamics”-Guide, I have not written this myself and do not claim any ownership of it. Moreover this document is provided “as-is”.: