Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook failure recovery

 

Applies To: Dynamics CRM 2013

Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Microsoft Office Outlook with “Go offline” capability uses Microsoft SQL Server Express for local data storage on the user’s computer. This enables Microsoft Dynamics CRM users to work offline and later synchronize local data with SQL Server (on-premises) or Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online when CRM for Outlook is brought online again.

In some cases, Microsoft Dynamics CRM users may want to back up the local Microsoft SQL Server Express database. This is especially useful when Microsoft Dynamics CRM users are offline for prolonged periods. The following table indicates different methods that can be used for backing up the SQL database used with CRM for Outlook.

Backup method

What to back up

Comments

Offline backup

Contents of Microsoft Dynamics CRM data directory.

The default location of 64-bit Microsoft Office on 32-bit Windows: %programfiles%\Microsoft Dynamics CRM\LocaleCode\sql\ 6.0

The default location of 32-bit Microsoft Office on 64-bit Windows: %programfiles(x86)%\Microsoft Dynamics CRM\LocaleCode\sql\ 6.0

Before you start the backup, make sure that the SQL Server (CRM) service is stopped. Restart the service after the backup is complete.

LocaleCode is the 4-digit number representing the language locale.

Online backup using Microsoft tools

MSDE_MSCRM6.mdf

MSDE_MSCRM6_log.LDF

Use Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) or sqlcmd.exe (a command-line tool).

Online backup using non-Microsoft tools

MSDE_MSCRM6.mdf

MSDE_MSCRM6_log.LDF

Look for tools that are compatible with Microsoft SQL Server Express.

Backup and recovery tools

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) provides a graphical management tool for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Edition that includes backup and recovery features. You can download SSMSE and sqlcmd.exe at Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express. More information: SQL Server Management Studio Express.

Restoring from backup

If there is a problem with CRM for Outlook offline synchronization, the backup can be used to restore Microsoft Dynamics CRM functionality. CRM for Outlook should be in offline mode before you restore the backup. When restored, you can then connect to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Server 2013 (online mode). The data that isn’t already on the server will be transferred to the server from the client. Be careful when reconnecting to the server. If you restore from an outdated backup, the existing data on the server may have subsequently changed and you run the risk of overwriting current data on the server with older data from the offline client backup.

See Also

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 failure recovery

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