Upgrading an existing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 deployment to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

Steps for upgrading an existing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 deployment to Microsoft Dynamics

CRM 2011.

A major consideration in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is that it is only available in 64-bit editions. This means a simple upgrade on the same computer is not possible for installations of 32-bit editions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

Upgrade Method	Features	Consideration
In-Place	An existing Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 server is upgraded to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. Program files and the configuration and default organization databases are upgraded.	• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Server and SQL Server must meet installation requirements • Does not require new hardware • Simplest to perform • Harder to recover from failure • Only the default organization is upgraded • Other Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 organizations must be imported
Connect to existing deployment	Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is installed on a new server. During installation, the Connect to, and if necessary, upgrade an existing deployment option is chosen. The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 configuration and default organization databases are upgraded during installation.	• Requires additional hardware for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Server • May require a new SQL Server or new instance of SQL Server • The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Server is unaffected • Only the default organization is upgraded • Other Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 organizations must be imported • Failure of upgrade requires a restore of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 databases
Migration	Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is installed on a new server. Setup creates a new configuration database on a new SQL Server or on a new instance on the existing SQL Server. After Setup is completed, the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 organization databases are imported and upgraded into the new deployment using the Import Organization Wizard.	• Requires additional hardware for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Server • Requires a new SQL Server or new instance of SQL Server • The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 production system is maintained until the final migration • The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Server is not affected • Each Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 organization must be imported using the Import Organization Wizard in the Deployment Manager • During the final migration, only the organization database has to be upgraded, reducing downtime • Useful for establishing a test environment