CRM 2016 Architecture on Azure

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by Yara

ello,

I would need assistance in figuring out the architecture to deploy CRM 2016 multi-tenant solution on Azure. can someone help em confirm that the below are needed and nothing further will be required ?

Components

The following components are needed:

Dynamics CRM application servers (front-end servers)
Dynamics CRM application server (back-end servers)
Microsoft SQL Server (including SQL Reporting Services) configured with SQL Server AlwaysOn Availability groups.
Email Router (optional) - is this required?

For AlwaysOn Availability Group:

Two Domain Controllers configured in an availability set
- 2 x DS2 V2 virtual machine: 2 vCPU, 7GB RAM
- SSD disk to be used
Two SQL Servers – SQL Enterprise 2016 or 2014 ? SQL Server 2017 not supported right?
- In an Azure availability set
- With Failover Clustering feature installed
Windows Server (witness server) for the SQL AlwaysOn Availability Group
- A2 virtual machine: 2vCPU, 3.5GB RAM to be used

Role	Instance Type	Cores	Memory	Storage
2 x Domain Controllers	DS2 V2	2	7GB	OS: 127 GB (Standard)
2 x ADFS server	B4MS	4	16GB	OS: 127 GB (Standard)
2 x Dynamics CRM (Front-End Server) Windows Server 2012 R2	B8MS	8	32GB	OS: 127 GB (Standard)
2 x Dynamics CRM (Back-End Server) Windows Server 2012 R2	B8MS	8	32GB	OS: 127 GB (Standard)
2 x SQL Server (the requirements are mentioned above) Windows Server 2012 R2 SQL server 2014 or 2016?	DS14 V2	16	112GB	OS: 127 GB (Standard) SQL Data: 1 TB (P30 Premium SQL Logs: 1 TB (P30 Premium)
1 x Deployment server	B8MS	8	32GB	OS: 127 GB (Standard)
1 x Email Router (optional) NOT NEEDED ANYMORE Server-side synchronization will be used and no need for additional server for email router right?	A2	2	3.5GB	OS: 127 GB (Standard)

Thanks for confirming the above and advising on my questions.

*This post is locked for comments

I have the same question (0)

All responses (9)

Answers (1)

Suggested answer

Seren S 402 on at

Like (0)

Report
Hi Yara,

You have already prepared a good structure with the necessary steps.

Confirmations

E-Mail Router: You will no longer need this server. You can use Server-Side synchronization. It puts some load on your application servers but you have already double of them with quite powerful specs.

SQL: I prefer you to use SQL 2016. It is all compatible with the new features included. v9.0 version will work SQL 2017 but no official announcement yet. Known issues still remain in these days e.g. problem during installing the Reporting Extensions.

Questions

Deployment Server: You can re-consider on this server because you have already had doubled application servers. If you don't have specific requirements, you can use front-end for publishments, back-end for developments, schedulers then you can save this server to reduce your costs.

Reporting Server?: I didn't see any server for reporting purpose. If you plan to use your current SQL servers for reports, I strongly recommend you to separate your disks for SQL e.g. O.S, data, log, reporting.

ADFS Server: Please remind to have a wild-card or SSL certificates for each end-points (5 in total). I would suggest you have a wild-card instead of individual SSLs.

I wish you success in your new infrastructure.

Cheers, Seren.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Yara on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi Seren,

Thank you for the reply.

I will eliminate the deployment server in this case.

For the reporting server, I am thinking of using the SQL server (SQL server 2016) with AlwaysOn Availability Group. Is the setup for this AG fine?

For the ADFS part, I will advise the customer to use a wild card certificate as you mentioned. Do you think this is good to share with the customer to start building his CRM multi-tenant environment on Azure?

ThANKS AGAIN

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
HML 25 on at

Like (0)

Report

How many CRM users do you have? From the top of my head I would say that you need one application server per 300 active users.

Looking at your table, here is a few things that came to my mind..

4x vCPU and 16GB of RAM is enough for the application servers and Instead of using front- and backend server roles I would just install both as full server.

You also need to implement Azure load balancing for the servers.

I also think it's too costly to use SQL Server Enterprise, why not Standard 2016 that also supports Always On Basic Availability Groups. What more does Enterprise offer that you actually need?

Note that you will also need to install CRM reporting extension to SSRS and that SSRS doesn't support clustering so you can only install it to one node.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Seren S 402 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi Yara,

Designing infrastructure has a lot of dependencies. User count, tenant count, interfaces, integrations etc.

It is hard to say by relying on very limited demand but for overall, it is good looking to use.

AG design is also capable to handle your needs.

Good luck, Seren.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Yara on at

Like (0)

Report

Hello Seren,

One last thing, how will the users access CRM 2016 on Azure?

Do we need to offer a site to site VPN between local environment and Azure or we just publish CRM via ADFS and use certificates?

Thanks

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

Seren S 402 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi Yara,

It is really difficult to manage your clients by VPNs especially for the users who are actively in the field. The best way is to establish an AD FS and thanks to the certifications, security will be in cover with no doubt.

If you also plan to use mobile/tablet applications, AD FS is necessary for on-prem infrastructures.

Good luck, Seren.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Suggested answer

Kokulan 18,054 on at

Like (0)

Report

Just out of curiosity, is there any particular reason as to why you have not gone for Dynamics CRM Online? I think in terms of cost, you might end up paying more if you how CRM in your own VMs on Azure.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Yara on at

Like (0)

Report

Hello Seren,

I haven't deployed such multi-tenant solution before so I am afraid I miss any requirement. For example, are we supposed to use Web application proxy in Azure in this case or we just need 1 ADFS server in Azure and each tenant will have its own Active Directory at their site and no ADFS is needed.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Yara on at

Like (0)

Report

the partner is insisting on CRM 2016 :) that's why

Was this reply helpful? Yes No