This topic describes the requirements for installing and configuring Microsoft SQL Server to work with Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015.

SQL Server Components to Install

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015 is compatible with 64-bit editions of SQL Server 2012, SQL Server 2008, and SQL Server 2008 R2. 32-bit editions are no longer supported.

SQL Server Components

If you are installing SQL Server to use with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, then install the following components:

  • Database Engine Services
  • Client Tools Connectivity
  • Management Tools - Complete

Setup Options for Microsoft SQL Server

When you are running Microsoft SQL Server Setup, you must provide additional information. Your responses can affect how you use SQL Server with Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015.

Instance Configuration

If you plan on installing the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Demo database with Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015, and you want Microsoft Dynamics NAV Setup to use an already installed version of SQL Server (and not to install SQL Server 2012 Express) you must create a SQL Server instance named NAVDEMO in SQL Server before you install Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015. Otherwise, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Setup will install SQL Server 2012 Express automatically, even if there is a valid version of SQL Server already on the computer. If you do not plan to install the Demo database, or if you have no objection to using SQL Server 2012 Express, you are free to use the default instance and Instance ID on the Instance Configuration page, or to specify any instance name.

Server Configuration

We recommend that you use a dedicated domain user account that you create specifically for your Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server instances and for your Microsoft Dynamics NAV instance on SQL Server, instead of a Local System account or the Network Service account.

Data Encryption Between Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server and SQL Server

When SQL Server and Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server are running on different computers, you can make this data channel more secure by encrypting the connection with IPSec. (Other encryption options are not supported.) For information on how to do this, see Encrypting Connections to SQL Server, which is part of SQL Server 2008 Books Online in MSDN library.

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