CRM 2011: ADFS error 317
While deploying a new CRM 2011 environment at a client site, I got errors with my ADFS setup:
- We used a wildcard certificate for all servers (on the same domain), purchased from RapidSSL
- ADFS is on a separate server
- CRM 2011 is on its own server
- DNS internal entries were made and could resolve correctly to both servers
The problem occurred right after enabling claims in CRM 2011 Deployment Manager: the internal CRM address specified in the deployment manager could not be resolved and a couple of 317 & 364 errors were logged on the ADFS server.
I tried creating SPNs for both servers, remove and import the certificates again on both server, recreate the relying party for CRM, etc. but with no correct results.
Since the SSL certificates were created with lowercase characters for the domain, I changed the CRM web addresses to lowercase as well, which made the ADFS authentication form appear!
But I could still not get passed the 317 error after logging in with valid credentials…
Then I found this post were a PowerShell command was shown:
Add-PSSnapin Microsoft.Adfs.PowerShell
Set-ADFSRelyingPartyTrust -TargetName RPNameInADFS -EncryptionCertificateRevocationCheck None
Reset IIS on the ADFS server and voilà, it worked for me!
CRM 2011: Q4 Service Update and localhost
If, like me, you get consistent ‘Access denied’ error while browsing the “What’s New” activity feed screen, this is because you are using the following Web address: http://localhost/YOUR_ORG
Instead, try using the computer’s Netbios name, for example: http://yourserver/YOUR_ORG it should work!
CRM 2011: Update Rollup 5 with Q4 Service Update available through direct download
More information here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2567454/en-us
Link to the individual downloads: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27820
This update will be available through Windows Update from the November 8, 2011.
CRM 2011: Update Rollup 4 available through direct download
More information here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2556167/en-us
Link to the download: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27554
This update will be available through Windows Update from the 27th of September
CRM 2011: Thunderbird compatibility
Well, this one is a recurring question: is Microsoft CRM compatible with other email clients such as Thunderbird?
Well, the simple answer is “No sir”, but I’ve found myself thinking about creating a free plugin that will give the ability to convert emails in Thunderbird to CRM emails and to synchronize contacts (at least from the Thunderbird address book to CRM).
It is a very much anticipated development but I already have the skeleton, and thanks to Microsoft CRM 2011 REST feature, I think I might end-up getting things to work.
What do you think, would such a plugin be useful to you? Feel free to comment and give me advices 
CRM 2011: Update Rollup 2 available through direct download
More information here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2466086/en-us
Link to the download: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=a5a088be-c19e-43b5-87fb-219c2a2bc280&displaylang=en
This update will be available through Windows Update from the 28th of June.
CRM 2011: Update Rollup 1 available through direct download
More information here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2466084
If you don’t want to bother downloading all the components separately, wait until the 26th of April when the update will be given through Windows Update.
CRM 2011: RTM today!
Or yesterday it seems 
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c3f82c6f-c123-4e80-b9b2-ee422a16b91d&displaylang=en
How-to series: Create-and-deploy a “template” organization
Okay, now this post is going to show how to quickly export a complete CRM 4.0 organization, which includes:
- customizations
- reports
- workflows
- mail-merge templates
- email templates
- contract templates
- plugins (only those who have been deployed to the database)
- data
CRM 2011: Global launch event
“Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 9am PST” is the date you can’t miss!
Quote from the web page http://crm.dynamics.com/2011launch/:
“Attend this FREE global virtual launch event and watch Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer introduce Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011. Learn how it is designed to help you boost sales, improve marketing, enrich customer service interactions, and accelerate line of business application development through xRM.
Hear keynote presentations by Kirill Tatarinov (Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Business Solutions), Michael Park (Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Business Solutions), and Brad Wilson (General Manager, Microsoft Dynamics CRM).”
“In addition, you’ll be able to:
- Get a sneak peek view through engaging demos.
- Hear success stories from real customers who put Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 to work for them.
- Choose from 15 different tracks especially designed to suit your business, industry or IT needs.
- Chat live with Microsoft experts and other customers in real time during the event.”
Ready? Register here.
