Install Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 with PowerShell: Step-by-Step Guide

Installing Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 with PowerShell can seem daunting at first, but it’s a powerful way to streamline your setup process. Imagine being able to automate tedious tasks and ensure everything runs smoothly with just a few commands. That’s where PowerShell steps in, simplifying the installation and configuration of Microsoft’s robust enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

We start by launching the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 Administration Shell. With the right cmdlets, we can manage tasks like adding and configuring server instances, databases, and users. For instance, using a simple command like Install-NAVApp -ServerInstance BC -Name 'Proseware SmartApp' -Version 2.3.4.500 -Tenant 'Tenant1', we can install a Business Central app effortlessly. It’s all about leveraging the syntax and logic provided by the NAV modules to make our job easier.

Navigating the PowerShell environment might seem tricky at first, but trust us, it gets better with practice. Our development team often uses commands like Import-Module "${env:ProgramFiles(x86)}\Microsoft Dynamics NAV\100\RoleTailored Client\Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Model.Tools.psd1" to import the required modules. By doing this, we ensure all the necessary tools are at our fingertips. Using PowerShell not only saves us time but also allows for a more structured and error-free deployment process.

Install Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 With PowerShell

When installing Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 with PowerShell, things can get much simpler. We use commands that save time and ensure accuracy.

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

First, launch PowerShell as an admin. This is super important because it gives us all the necessary permissions.

Step 2: Import the NAV PowerShell Modules

We need the right modules for this task. Use the command:

Import-Module "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Dynamics NAV\100\RoleTailored Client\Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Model.Tools.psd1"

Tip: Adjust the path if NAV is installed elsewhere.

Step 3: Set Up the NAV Server Instance

Let’s create and configure the NAV server instance:

New-NAVServerInstance -ServerInstance 'MyNAVServer' -ServiceAccount 'DOMAIN\user' -ClientServicesPort 7046 -ManagementServicesPort 7045

Warning: Double-check the service account details!

Step 4: Configure Web Services

Enabling web services is essential for many integrations:

Set-NAVServerInstance -ServerInstance 'MyNAVServer' -WebServicePort 7047 -SOAPServicesEnabled $true -ODataServicesEnabled $true

Enable both SOAP and OData services for flexibility.

Step 5: Load Application Object Files

Now, let’s get those application objects loaded up:

Import-NAVApplicationObject -DatabaseServer 'localhost' -DatabaseName 'MyNAVDB' -FilePath 'C:\NAV2017\Objects.fob'

Save A LOT of time by having your FOBs ready.

Step 6: Create Companies

Creating a company is easy-peasy:

New-NAVCompany -ServerInstance 'MyNAVServer' -CompanyName 'MyNewCompany'

Pro Tip: Customize the company name to match your business needs.

Step 7: Start the NAV Server Instance

Let’s get our NAV server instance started:

Start-NAVServerInstance 'MyNAVServer'

Ensure it’s up and running.

That’s It!

By following these steps, we’ve streamlined the installation process for Dynamics NAV 2017. Using PowerShell really makes things easier, speedier, and less error-prone. Happy Installing! 👩‍💻👨‍💻

Pre-installation Requirements

Before installing Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 using PowerShell, it’s crucial to cover system specifications and downloading necessary files. Proper preparation helps avoid hiccups during installation.

Check System Specifications

First, let’s make sure our system meets the necessary requirements. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 needs specific hardware and software to run smoothly.

We need to have Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education (64-bit editions) or Windows 8.1 Professional or Enterprise (64-bit edition). Our processor should be at least 2 GHz, and we must have 4 GB of RAM as the minimum, though 8 GB is recommended.

The database requirement is Microsoft SQL Server 2014 or newer. It’s essential because Dynamics NAV stores all data in a SQL database. We also need Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.

Here’s a quick reference table:

Download Necessary Files

Now, we must gather all the required files for installation.

First, download the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 installation media from a trusted site or your company’s licensed source. Make sure it’s the latest version to avoid any bugs or issues.

We also need the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 Administration Shell. This will let us use PowerShell to install and manage NAV. We can find it in the installation media under a folder named Powershell.

Next, download the SQL Server Management Studio from Microsoft’s official website to manage our NAV databases.

Having PowerShell 5.0 or later is essential. It often comes with Windows 10, but we need to check our version with the command $PSVersionTable.PSVersion. If we have an older version, we must update it first.

By checking our system specs and downloading all the necessary files, we are well-prepared to begin the installation.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

In this guide, we will show you how to install Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 using PowerShell. This process involves three main steps: opening PowerShell as an administrator, running the installation script, and configuring the installation settings.

Open PowerShell As Administrator

First things first, we need to open PowerShell with administrative privileges. This is crucial as many cmdlets we will use require higher permissions.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows + X and select PowerShell (Admin).
2. Confirm any prompts that appear to grant administrative access.

By doing this, you ensure that PowerShell has the necessary permissions to execute scripts and make changes to your system.

Run Installation Script

With PowerShell opened as an administrator, we move on to running the installation script. We’re going to import the necessary modules and execute the commands to start the installation process.

Follow these steps:

1. Import the Module:

   Import-Module 'C:\Path\To\NAVAdminTool.ps1'
   

2. Run NAV Installation Script:

   .\NAVAdminTool.ps1
   

This script will handle the heavy lifting, such as deploying the server instance and configuring initial settings.

Configure Installation Settings

The final step involves configuring the settings for your Dynamics NAV Server. We’ll set up the server instance and other configuration parameters.

Steps include:

1. Set Server Instance:

   Set-NAVServerInstance -ServerInstance 'NAV2017'
   

2. Configure the Server:

   Set-NAVServerConfiguration -ServerInstance 'NAV2017' -KeyName 'Database' -KeyValue 'Server=SQLServer;Database=NAV2017DB'
   

Now, let’s fine-tune the user settings:

1. Create a New User:

   New-NAVServerUser -ServerInstance 'NAV2017' -UserName 'username'
   

2. Assign Permissions:

   New-NAVServerUserPermissionSet -ServerInstance 'NAV2017' -UserName 'username' -PermissionSet 'SUPER'
   

And there you have it! Your Dynamics NAV 2017 should be installed and configured, ready for use.

Post-installation Tasks

After installing Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017, there are several critical tasks to perform. These steps ensure the system runs smoothly, users have access, and the latest updates are applied.

Verify Installation

First, we need to make sure the installation was successful. We check the services to confirm all instances of Dynamics NAV are running correctly. Use the following command in PowerShell:

Get-NAVServerInstance

Next, we should verify the tenants are configured and connected. This is crucial for multi-tenant environments. Run:

Get-NAVTenant

Finally, testing a basic NAV app function can help ensure everything is operational. Open the client and navigate through a few functions.

Set Up Users And Permissions

Setting up users right after installation is crucial. We start by adding necessary users. Open PowerShell and use:

New-NAVServerUser -Tenant <TenantID> -WindowsAccount <Domain\User>

Next, we assign appropriate permissions to those users. This can be done using:

New-NAVServerUserPermissionSet -Tenant <TenantID> -WindowsAccount <Domain\User> -PermissionSetID <PermissionSet>

As a best practice, we should also restart the service to apply new changes:

Restart-NAVServerInstance -ServerInstance <InstanceName>

Apply Updates And Patches

Keeping the system updated is essential. We start by checking for new updates and patches from Microsoft. Once downloaded, we install them using the NAV app management commands:

Install-NAVApp -ServerInstance <InstanceName> -Name <AppName> -Version <Version>

If required, sync the database schema with:

Sync-NAVTenant -ServerInstance <InstanceName> -Tenant <TenantID>

For installed extensions, use:

Repair-NAVApp -ServerInstance <InstanceInstance> -Name <AppName>

Make sure to uninstall or unpublish any outdated extension packages if necessary:

Uninstall-NAVApp -ServerInstance <InstanceName> -Name <AppName>
Unpublish-NAVApp -ServerInstance <InstanceName> -Name <AppName>

Ensuring these steps are followed helps maintain a stable and secure setup.