Install the VSS writer for Microsoft Dynamics AX
Important
This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2
The Volume Shadow Copy Service writer for Microsoft Dynamics AX (AX VSS writer) can be used together with Microsoft System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager (DPM) to help protect Microsoft Dynamics AX data and servers.
The AX VSS writer coordinates backup and restore operations. For more information, see Protecting Microsoft Dynamics AX environments with System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager (DPM).
Note
The AX VSS writer is available through the Microsoft Dynamics AX Setup wizard in AX 2012 R3 and cumulative update 7 for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 (CU 7). For information about how to install the AX VSS writer with CU 7, see the Installation Guide for cumulative update 7.
Before you install the AX VSS writer
Ensure that a System Center 2012 Data Protection Manager server is installed and configured.
Important
Agents cannot be installed on the Data Protection Manager server. Do not install AX 2012 components on the same server.
Create a folder that the AX VSS writer will use to store temporary backup files. This folder should not be used for any other purpose, and access should be limited to the service account for the AX VSS writer.
Create a service account for the AX VSS writer. This account must be a local administrator on all the computers that you plan to protect by using this component. Additionally, the account must have read/write permission to the location where temporary backup files are stored.
Install a DPM agent on all the computers that you plan to protect by using this component. For more information about Data Protection Manager, see Installing and Configuring Protection Agents.
On the computers where you plan to install this component, 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.
Install the AX VSS writer
Use this procedure to install the AX VSS writer. If you install other Microsoft Dynamics AX components at the same time, the installation pages vary, depending on the components that you are installing.
On every computer that you plan to protect, start Microsoft Dynamics AX Setup. Under Install, select Microsoft Dynamics AX components.
Advance through the first wizard pages.
If the Setup Support files have not yet been installed on this computer, the Select a file location page is displayed. The Setup Support files are required for installation. Provide a file location or accept the default location, and then click Next. On the Ready to install page, click Install.
On the Modify Microsoft Dynamics AX installation page, click Add or modify components, and then click Next.
On the Add or modify components page, select VSS writer, and then click Next.
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.
Enter the requested information for the component that you are installing.
Component
Required information
Microsoft Dynamics AX Application Object Server (AOS)
The AOS instance
Database
The Microsoft SQL Server instance
The database name for the business database
Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services
The name of the Analysis Services instance
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
The name of the Reporting Services instance
The name of the reporting database server
The name of the Report Server database
All
The name of the DPM server
The name of the AX VSS writer service account
The password for the AX VSS writer service account
The temporary file location that is used to temporarily hold copies of protected media.
Note
This location can contain important data. We strongly recommend that you limit access to this location to the AX VSS writer service account, and that you use the location only to store temporary VSS files.
On the Ready to install page, click Install.
After the installation is completed, click Finish to close the wizard.
Repeat these steps for all other components that you plan to protect.
Next steps
The following topics describe the next steps: