Install the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases

Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

This topic describes how to install the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases and model files.

There are three database components: the Microsoft Dynamics AX transaction database, the model store, and the baseline model store. The Application Object Server (AOS) connects to the Microsoft Dynamics AX database to process transactions. The AOS connects to the model store to display forms and reports. The baseline model store is used to upgrade X++ code to Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, and to analyze application updates before they are applied.

In Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, the model store and the transaction data are stored in separate databases. In earlier versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, the model store and transaction data are stored in a single database.

Model files contain metadata information about application objects and are stored in the model store. For more information about model files, see Models, Layers, and the Model Store.

Before you install the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases

Verify that the following steps are completed before you install the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases.

• Configure SQL Server. For more information, see Configure SQL Server and storage settings.

• On the computer where you plan to install the databases, run the prerequisite validation utility to verify that system requirements have been met. For information about how to run the prerequisite validation utility, see Check prerequisites.

  For more information about the hardware and software requirements for Microsoft Dynamics AX, see the system requirements.

• Make sure that you have the required permissions to install the database. For more information, see Verify that you have the required permissions for installation.

• Make sure that the appropriate firewall ports are open. For more information, see Firewall settings for Microsoft Dynamics AX components.

Default models

The default models that are available in Setup vary based on the release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 that you are installing.

Default models in AX 2012 R3 and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2

If you are installing AX 2012 R3 or AX 2012 R2, the following models are available in Setup by default.

Default models in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack

If you are installing AX 2012 Feature Pack, the following models are available in Setup by default.

Default models in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

If you are installing the original release of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, the following models are available in Setup by default.

Include additional model files in the installation (optional)

When you install the databases, you must identify any additional model files that are required for your environment.

During installation, Setup displays models from the CD\Models\ folder and all its subfolders. To import additional layers or customizations, you can add other model files to this folder.

Follow these steps to include additional models in the installation:

1. Browse to the directory where the files from the Microsoft Dynamics AX DVD are shared. For more information, see Create a shared directory for installation.

2. Create a subfolder in the CD\Models\ folder. We recommend that you create different folders to store the models that are received from different sources. For example, create a folder for each independent software vendor (ISV) or each value-added reseller (VAR).

3. Copy the additional .axmodel files to the folders that you created.

   Warning

   Do not copy your model files to the Standard folder. The Standard folder must be used only for models that are mandatory, such as the Foundation model (Foundation.axmodel).

Install the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases

Use this procedure to install the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases and model files. If you install other Microsoft Dynamics AX components at the same time, the installation pages vary, depending on the components that you are installing.

1. Start Microsoft Dynamics AX Setup. Under Install, select Microsoft Dynamics AX components.

2. Advance through the first wizard pages.

3. If the Setup Support files have not yet been installed on the computer, the Select a file location page is displayed. The Setup Support files are required for installation. Enter a file location or accept the default location, and then click Next. On the Ready to install page, click Install.

4. If you’re installing AX 2012 R3, on the Select an installation option page, click Microsoft Dynamics AX, and then click Next.

5. On the Select installation type page, click Custom installation, and then click Next.

6. On the Select components page, select Databases, and then click Next.

7. On the Prerequisite validation results page, resolve any errors. For more information about how to resolve prerequisite errors, see Check prerequisites. When no errors remain, click Next.

8. On the Select databases page, select whether you want to create new databases by using Setup, or whether you want to configure existing databases. If you are upgrading, you should select to configure existing databases.

9. If you want Setup to create the databases, on the Create new databases page, in the Server name list, select the name of the computer that runs SQL Server. Provide database names or accept the default database names. By default, the transaction database is named MicrosoftDynamicsAX. The baseline database is optional. By default, the baseline database is named MicrosoftDynamicsAX_baseline.

   If you created the databases manually, or if you are upgrading a database, on the Configure existing databases page, select the name of the computer that runs SQL Server, and then select the names of the existing databases that you want to configure.

   Important

   The database name must not include any spaces or any of the following characters: backslashes (\), slashes (/), periods (.), commas (,), colons (:), brackets ([ ]), parentheses (( )), or hyphens (-). For more information about characters that are allowed by SQL Server, see the Identifiers topic on MSDN.

   Click Next.

10. On the Select additional models page, select models in the Available Models list. Setup lists all the models that are contained in the Models folder and its subfolders. Required models are selected by default, and you cannot clear the selection.

    Security Note

    You may have models, or .axmodel files, that are not electronically signed. The Setup program cannot verify the publisher of an unsigned model file. If you import an unsigned model file into the model store, you create a security risk. Setup displays an error message if a selected model file does not have a digital signature. Before you decide whether you want to continue or cancel the installation, carefully review the models that you have selected.

    If you install models other than the Foundation models, you must complete the Compile application task when you run the initialization checklist. If you do not complete the Compile application task, you encounter errors when you run the Synchronize database task in the initialization checklist. For more information about the initialization checklist, see Initialize Microsoft Dynamics AX.

    Click Next to continue.

11. On the Prerequisite validation results page, resolve any errors. When no errors remain, click Next.

12. On the Ready to install page, click Install.

13. After the installation is completed, click Finish to close the wizard.

Create a Microsoft Dynamics AX database manually

If you want to create databases manually for Microsoft Dynamics AX, you must first create databases using Setup as a template.

1. Follow the procedure above to create business and model store databases using Setup.

2. Manually create a second business database using SQL Server Management Studio.

3. Copy all objects, users, and user permissions from the template database to the new database.

4. Manually create a second model database using SQL Server Management Studio. It must have the same name as the new business database that you created in step 2, with _model at the end of the name.

5. Copy all objects, users, and user permissions from the template database to the new database.

6. Configure an AOS instance to connect to the new business database. Installing an AOS instance sets the appropriate rights for the AOS service account on the selected database server and creates stored procedures used for session management.

7. If you want an existing AOS instance to connect to the manually created database, you must set the appropriate rights for the AOS account. Set the following permissions in the database:

   1. Make the account a login on the database server. (This login already exists if you are installing on the same SQL Server computer as the first database.)

   2. Assign the user to the db_ddladmin, db_datareader, and db_datawriter database roles.

   3. Grant the user execute rights on the createserversessions and createusersessions stored procedures.