Test environment

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Posted on by matt dev

Hi All,

hi have two different server A and B:

A: production server with SQL 2005 and CRM web application
B: testing server with SQL 2005 and CRM web application

then, both servers contain SQL and crm application with the same customizations (customizations are transferred from prod to testing using export/import customizations)

What's the best best practice for transferring data (accounts, contacts, ....) from A to B?

Thanks for your support!

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Alan Garcia 2,020 User Group Leader on at

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We've seen two approaches used before. The first is to use SQL to either Mirror the DB's or to use Transaction Log Shipping (from Production to Staging). This introduces a great deal more complexity and risk but once you get it right is the most reliable.

The other is to use a middleware integration application like Scribe to push the data from Production to Staging.

Keep in mind that customizations are stored in the db, so if using the first approach any test code in the Staging database will get overwritten/lost.

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Alex Obubo 115 on at

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Hi Guys,

I am running CRM 4.0 professional. I wonder if anyone can give me tips/ideas on how to go about setting up a test environment on an old server. Thanks in advance.

Al

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Alan Garcia 2,020 User Group Leader on at

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There are several whitepapers out there, but honestly, what I've found to be the most cost effective is to upgrade your licensing to Enterprise and take advantage of Multi-Tenancy. This will allow you to create a copy of production for Staging and another copy for Test and have them both up and running in about a half hour! We've even seen some people keep Staging/Test separate and create a totally separate environment for Training so users can play without putting their production system at risk or interfering with any ongoing change management....

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matt dev on at

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Hi Alan,
first of all, thanks a lot for your answers! Unfortunately, I have to keep two different environments, for different reasons, the first one is that I have some customizations on file system (for example external Javascript and custom ASPX pages) the I would need to manage different paths for each ORG. What about “Import Organization” from staging environment? Do you have any experience on that? Thanks again!
matt

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Alan Garcia 2,020 User Group Leader on at

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First, please note that the external Javascript on version 4.0 and prior is still unsupported (yes you can read in-between the lines a little here re: v.Next). It should be fine though. The custom .aspx files should also be fine as long as you make sure your project references are pointing to the staging environment/organization.

This means that when you use the Import Organization method from the CRM Deployment Manager MMC console, you must make sure that you maintain the same naming that the external files reference. I typically try to use the same value for the schema organization name as with the friendly organization name just to make things simpler in these types of situations, but if that's not the case, make sure you know where things are referencing the friendly name (most code level stuff will intuitively be by schema name though).

One final note is that the Import Organization method will need some logic on how to handle users, so any change in users from production (especially in AD - for example if an AD account gets inactivated) may throw you a few curve balls during the wizard....

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Baris KANLICA User Group Leader on at

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You can transfer datas with Data Migration Manager

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