SSRS Error: Dynamic packer query not found

Once again I came across an SSRS error, telling me the dynamic packed query was not found.
\Classes\SRSQueryBuilder\initalize (21)

The environment has 3 AOS, all of them running on one windows server (2712/8101, 2713/8102, 2714/8103) and 3 SSRS instances all running on another windows server. Since default AX voodoo like restart and incremental IL did not resolve the problem, I check and corrected issues following this checklist

In Dynamics AX

  • All AX instances have the BC Proxy account configured as system service account under
    System Administration > Setup > System > System service account
  • Every AX instance has its own SSRS report server configured
    System Administration > Setup > Business Intelligence > Reporting Services > Report Server
  • There is only one default configuration
  • The name (of the windows server) is correct e.g. VM-SRV-SQL
  • The name of the SSRS instance (!) is correct and configured e.g. MSSQLSERER, SSRSLIVE, SSRSTEST,etc.
  • Check the URL (they are in reverse order in the SSRS configuration manager) *argh*
      The report manager url is correct. That’s where you can browse the folder and set permissions
      The report service url is corret. That’s the web service
  • The configuration is assigned to the correct AOS
    Check the online users form if you are not sure which AOS you are actually using

On the SSRS server

  • All SSRS instances are running and all SSRS instances run as BC Proxy account
  • The default configuration (that cannot be changed in the AX configuration utility) is valid
  • The SSRS instances have a valid Microsoft.Dynamics.AX.ReportConfiguration.axc.configuration file in the Report Server\bin directory. If you are not sure, create a new configuration using the configuration utility, test the configuration by starting AX, save the configuration as file and replace the old one in the Report Server\Bin directory
  • Make sure the Business Connector configuration has a default company name e.g. DAT
  • Restart the SSRS instances

Experience on Installing AX 2012 on Server 2012 RC

Right now Server 2012 has reached RTM but was not released yet. AX 2012 is not officially supported on Server 2012, however you may want to give it a try. Here is my experience installing AX 2012 FPP + CU3 on Server 2012 RC running SQL Server 2012 RTM.

Windows Server 2012

Install Windows Server 2012 with graphically UI. Use the new server manager to install .NET Framework 3.5 which is required for SQL Server 2012. Also install Windows Identity Foundation 3.5 which is required for SharePoint.

windows features

Install Domain Services, create a new domain an create user with password never expires. Create a new group policy and allow the sql users to logon as service.

  • sqlserver, sqlagent
  • aos, bcproxy, search
  • sharepoint, spservice
    sql gpo

SQL Server 2012

Install SQL Server 2012, you’ll require these features. When installing reporting services choose “install only” but don’t configure. During configuring installation provide the sqlagent account for the SQL Server Agent, bcproxy account for reporting services and sqlserver account for database services.

  • Database with Fulltext  (run as sqlserver)
  • Reporting Services (run as bcproxy)
  • Analysis Services
  • Management Tools
  • Data Tools (includes Visual Studio 2010 BI Studio) if don’t want to install VS 2012 full featured later

sql install

Dynamics Ax 2012

Download the latest Dynamics AX 2012 cumulative update (CU3) and patch your installation medium. This can be done by unzipping the ISO to a file share and copying the CU3 into the updates folder, see technet. The AX 2012 installer will recognize the updates in this folder and prompt you to accept the license terms. Also make sure to have the SQL Server 2012 hotfix for AX 2012 in the updates folder.

If you are using one of the demo data backups from Microsoft or if you use your own backup from another AX installation there are some things you have to take care of.

  • Update the Administrator users SID, Domain and Username in the UserInfo table
  • Delete old entries from the SysServerSessions table

SQL Server 2012 does no longer support the FIRSTFASTROW keyword which is used in the UtilElements and UtilIdElements view. You have modify the views SQL statement and delete any occurrence. The easiest way is to copy/paste the SQL Statement to notepad, replace “, FIRSTFASTROW” with “” and copy/paste the cleaned statement back to SQL Server.

ax FASTFIRSTROW

Install Dynamics AX 2012 AOS and client. Afterwards make sure to clean the BI Configurations and the Server configurations in AX (System Administration > Settings). Don’t forget to provide the bcproxy account as business connector account in system service accounts in AX.

Reporting Services

Installing Reporting Services is straight forward as you know from SQL Server 2008 R2. However, there are at least 2 prerequisites before the installation can succeed. You’ll need to install

  • Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2008 R2
  • SQL Server 2008 R2 Shared Memory Objects
    Start the SQL Server Reporting Services configuration manager. Make sure SSRS is running as bcproxy account. Follow the steps in the configuration tool, create databases, web services, report server manager and make sure there is no execution account provided in the Reporting Service configuration.

ax ssrs config

In Dynamics AX check if the SSRS configuration is valid and give it a try. Reporting should work properly

ax ssrs on w2k12

If you don’t have installed Visual Studio 2010 SP1 or SQL Server Data Tools yet, do this now. Install the development components, Debugger, Visual Studio Tools, Trace Parser and .NET Business Connector. Good news; these components should install and work without any additional steps. Try to create a simple report, deploy it to SSRS and call it from AX to verify your installation.

ax reporting

SharePoint Server 2010, Enterprise Portal and Enterprise Search

Here comes the tricky part, SharePoint out-of-the-box is not willing to install on server 2012. However, Mohamed Radwan has made a great video on youtube that guides you through the installation on server 2012. When you run the sharepoint installation configuration wizard, use the sharepoint account to access the database and the spservice account to run the services (like excel services).

As you know from other EP installation, you’ll need to register the bcproxy account as managed service account in sharepoint (central administration > Security > Managed Accounts). Create a new web application (application management > manage web applications > new). Use the bcproxy account to run this web application and make sure you don’t use any previous used TCP Ports by SSRS (e.g. 80). Don’t create a web site collection, the AX installer will do this for you. Start the Dynamics AX 2012 installer, and install EP. If you’ve done the SharePoint configuration correctly, AX will be able to install and configure EP for you. When you start AX and navigate to Home, you should the see the role center page.

ax ep

If you have installed SharePoint Server, all prerequisites for enterprise search should be fulfilled. Follow the Technet guide to install and configure enterprise search. Go to SharePoint Central Administration > Farm Services > SharePoint Server Search > Search Application > Content Source > Microsoft Dynamics AX and configure at least a daily full crawl.

search full crawl

Fazit

  • SQL Server 2012 RTM is working on Server 2012 RC and AX 2012 supports SQL 2012 RTM
  • Core Components are working on Server 2012 RC
  • Additional Components like SharePoint, Search Server etc. are tricky

Upgrading Windows 8 Release Preview to RTM

Windows 8 Release Preview was quite ok and therefore I’ve run it as quasi production system on my HP 8540w. Although upgrading from any of the preview versions is not supported, you may convince the installer to perform an upgrade by modifying the cversion.ini file, see Bing. Here are some key applications I’ve run on Release Preview:

Dynamics AX 4.0 SP2
Dynamics AX 2009 SP1 RU8
Dynamics AX 2012 CU3

HyperV Role
PPTP VPN connections (3)
Office 2010
Drivers for HP 8540w

Visual Studio 2008 SP1
Visual Studio 2010 SP1
Visual Studio 2012 Preview

Virtual PC SP1 Network driver
Device Emulator for Mobile 5/6
 
Windows Mobile Device Center
Zune for Windows Phone 7

Almost everything was ported successfully. Unfortunately the Virtual PC network driver for device emulator was not working, and the VMs could no longer connect to the network. However, after uninstalling and re-installing Virtual PC 2007 x64 the virtual network adapter was working. Some SQL Server components also reported compatibility problems. Manually cleaning the system drive will remove the old installation and some GB hard disk space.

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Update 28.8.2012
Windows refused to boot anymore and was stuck at the windows logo. However, after the fourth boot killing power-off windows recognized that it requires a repair. After 20 minutes black magic self healing its working again.

windows 8 self healing

MCTS: MB6-872 Dynamics AX 2012 Installation & Configuration

Now it’s official, I know how to install Dynamics AX 2012 Smiley

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On Vacation: Berlin

berlin

Greetings from Berlin!

Dynamics AX 2012 on Windows Server 8 Beta with SQL 2012 RC0

Microsoft recently released Windows Server 8 Beta and Windows 8 Consumer Preview. So my first though was about running Dynamics AX 2012 on Server 8 and Windows 8. However, installing AX 2012 on Server 8 failed due incompatibility with windows installer. But Windows Server 8 and Windows 8 Betas still come with an upgrade option. So I had the idea install AX 2012 on Server 2008 R2 and upgrade to Windows Server 8 Beta.

Prolog (the IBM x3400 thing)

We’ve bought an IBM x3400 M3 server for a customer. We’re still waiting for some hard disks to deliver, so the server is unused and becomes my testing platform for the moment. Installing Windows 8 Beta was straight forward, but as mentioned installing AX 2012 failed. So next I failed installing Windows Server 2008 R2 because no hard disk was found (missing driver). The solution:

servers   usb driver

IBM x3400 M3 and Raid driver on USB for Windows Server 2008 R2 installation

Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012 RC0

Next I’ve joined the new 2008 R2 server to our domain. Loving Betas, Previews and other unstable stuff I’ve installed SQL Server 2012 RC0 to serve as database server for AX.

  • Installed .NET Framework 3.5.1 Feature using Server Manager
  • Installed .NET Framework 4.0 Full package
  • Installed NDP40-KB2390372-v2-x64 patch for .NET 4.0
  • Installed C++ Runtime Environments from AX 2012 DVD
  • Installed SQL Server Native Client
  • Installed Report Viewer 2012 from AX 2012 DVD
  • Installed Identity Foundation from AX 2012 DVD
  • Installed Open XML SDK for Office from AX 2012 DVD
  • Installed SQL Server 2012 RC0 full featured

    sql sql2

    SQL Server 2012 RC0 Full Featured

    Pizza Break

    Ham, Eggs, Bacon, Onion and Corn, Coke and Tiramisu

    Pizza and Tiramisu

    Admin’s workplace Smiley

    Dynamics AX 2012

    AX on SQL 2012 RC0 is a little bit tricky, because even database creation failed. So I’ve set up an AOS using another SQL Server 2008 R2 with an existing AX 2012 database and baseline. Next I restored an AX 2012 database from a backup in SQL 2012 RC0 and configured the AOS to use it. Works as it should. However, the reporting extensions are not compatible with RC0 and installation failed.Dynamics AX 2012 with SQL Server 2012 RC0

    AX 2012 using SQL 2012 RC0

    Upgrade to Windows Server 8 Beta

  • Installed Windows Server Backup Feature from Server Manager and create a backup
  • Downloaded Server 8 ISO
  • Extracted it and copied it onto an USB stick using xcopy *.* /s/e/f u:\\
  • Started Upgrade from DVD or USB
  • The Upgrade took quite a lot of time until windows was ready

    Windows Server 8 Beta Upgrade

Windows Server 8 Beta Data Center Edition with GUI

Windows Server 8 Beta Upgrade

Upgrade an existing Installation

Windows Server 8 Beta Upgrade

Windows Server 8 Beta is starting up, …

Windows Server 8 Beta Start Screen

Finally! Windows Server was upgraded from 2008 R2 to 8 Beta

Repairing Dynamics AX

Well, Windows as upgraded successfully but Dynamics AX is not working any more Trauriges Smiley Starting the AOS results in an error. Reviewing the windows event error logs brings up the details:

image

Object Server 01:  Error accessing registry: Cannot open key SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dynamics Server\6.01. Error code: 0

Object Server 01:  The directory "C:\Windows\system32\\bin" does not exist or access to it has been denied by the operating system.

Object Server 01:  The home directory for Axapta (C:\Windows\system32\) does not match the required structure or can not be accessed. Please check installation, configuration and access rights.

Object Server 01:  Server terminated unexpectedly with 10 exitcode.

The reason is an missing registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DynamicsServer\601

image

I solved this issue by importing an AX configuration from another server’s registry

  • Opened an RDP session to an other 2008 R2 server running an AX 2012 AOS
  • Start > Run > regedit
  • Navigated to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\DynamicsServer\60
  • Exported the registry key as file (Context Menu > Export)
  • Copied the .reg file the Server 8 Beta desktop and imported it
    There are a lot of settings and paths in the registry, make sure these settings apply to your w8 server
  • Started the Server Configuration Utility and changed the database setting back to localhost
  • Started the AOS
  • Started the Client

Dynamics AX 2012 on Server 8 Beta

Dynamics AX 2012 running on Windows Server 8 Beta

Using a Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid HDD to boost performance on a Dynamics AX 2012 presentation laptop

Momentus XT is a hybrid HDD that combines a 7200rpm drive with a large SSD cache. I’ve bought one to run a  Dynamics AX 2012 presentation laptop. By design the performance is getting better for frequent tasks. Here are my results:

Testcases:

  1. Boot Windows Server 2008 R2 until STRG+ALT+DEL screen appears
  2. Start Dynamics AX client and wait until role center has finished loading and rendering reports
  3. Post a sales order confirmation with 20 lines

Laptop: HP 8540w Mobile Workstation, 8GB RAM, Core i7 2,8GHz
Software: Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Dynamics AX 2012 CU1, SQL Server 2008 R2, Enterprise Portal with SharePoint Server 2010

  HDD XT #1 XT #2 XT #3 XT #4 XT #5
Boot 03:05 03:13 02:36 01:48 01:54 01:46
Start AX 00:51 00:40 00:31 00:18 00:17 00:18
Confirmation 02:30 01:40 00:59 00:59 01:07 00:59

Evolution: Lenovo x100e to Lenovo x121e

I’ve recently purchased a Lenovo x121e with AMD Processor to replace my good old x100e Laptop. In general I’d prefer HP but there are some reasons why I’ve become a fan of Lenovos x100* series.

  • Thinkpad like style, keyboard and quality
  • Excellent driver support
  • Fair price, x121e with AMD processor ~ 370 €
    I’ve decided to buy the AMD version because the dual core CPU and 4 GB RAM are sufficient for working with Office and running Skype. Its much cheaper than the Intel i3 version. The design has been improved, it’s a bit larger than the x100e and got an HDMI port.

x110ex121e

However, the x121e AMD version does not have an integrated WWAN module. This may be one reason why its that cheaper compared to the Intel version. Fortunately the old x100e has one (Gobi 2000) that can be transferred to the x121e.

  1. Open the back of both laptops, the Qualcomm Gobi 2000 module is located on the lower left corner
    x100e_3G_module
  2. Remove the module from the x100e laptop
    Qualcom Gobi 2000
  3.   Put it in the free x121e slot, fix it and connect both cables
    gobi2000_in_x121e
  4. Close the back of the x121e and boot windows. Download the latest Qualcomm Gobi 2000 driver software from Lenovo. Search for x100e drivers, and use the ThinkPad Activation tool for the x121e.
    access3AT 

MB6-820 Dynamics AX 2009 Installation & Configuration

I’ve passed the MB6-820 Dynamics Ax 2009 Installation & Configuration exam. Questions are fair and with some experience installing AX in different environments you have a good chance to pass the exam with a high score.

Dynamics Certifications

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Windows and SQL Server Certifications

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HP MT 3300 in SBS 2008 Environment running Dynamics AX 2009

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I’ve recently added a HP MT 3300 Desktop PC to a Small Business Server 2008 domain running Dynamics AX 2009. Out of the box I was facing two issues:

1) SBS 2008 reported an error it could not communicate with the new client machine.

2) Opening the AOT was freezing the Dynamics AX client and crashed after a while because of insufficient memory. Very strange issue that could not to be fixed with any rollup or hotfix for Dynamics AX 2009.

 

 

Solution 1)
Per default the machine is running Norton Internet Security. Go to Settings > Network Settings > Firewall > Access Control. Set the SBS Server machine to Full Trust.

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Solution 2)
Thanks to Microsoft Support: HP Security Manager is causing this issue (not only on MT 3300). Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP ProtectTools Security Manager\Bin and find the DpFbView.dll file. Rename the file to DpFbView.old.