HOW TO CONFIGURE SQL SERVER REPORTING SERVICES IN ORDER TO DEPLOY REPORTING SERVICES REPORTS FOR DYNAMICS GP When you install SQL Server you have option to automatically deploy & configure SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) with default settings. But in case if you already installed SQL but didn t installed SSRS, don t worry you may configure these reports later on at any time you may want. This post will elaborate step by step actions with screen shots, which you need to perform while deploying SQL Server Reporting Services. In order to start initial configuration of SSRS, or to change the configuration of an existing installation, you need to start the Reporting Services Configuration Manager Start menu >> All Programs >> Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 >> Configuration Tools >> Reporting Services Configuration Manager; The Configuration Manager works like a wizard, you proceed as you move down the tabs on the left side of the window. Don t forget to apply the changes you made on tab.
The first step is to set the Service Account. I am working on a test environment therefore I m just picking the Local System account but for a real environment (production server) you should use a Domain User account which is created only to be used for executing SSRS service. After providing the user details click the Apply button;
The Second step move to Web Service URL tab and provide virtual directory, by default it will pick Report Server_ SQL instance name. You can use the same VD or can change it. On the same tab you will configure web services site details by assigning it TCP port and IP addresses. Once you have provided TCP port Reporting Services Configuration manager will generate report server URL which you must note down because you will need the same URL while deploying SSRS reports from within Dynamics GP. After making necessary changes on the tab click apply to create virtual directory and reserve URL. The results area will show confirmation and or error messages, if any issue are highlighted you have to resolve them before proceeding.
Click the Database Tab to select, or create a new, database for use with reporting services; Click on Change Database button to open the Report Server Database Configuration Wizard.
Select appropriate task of create a new report server database in order to create new database or select choose an existing report server database if you want to change existing report server database, and click next.
Enter the Server Name and connection details for the SQL server which will be used to connect the SSRS database and click Next;
Provide database name and Temp database name, pick you language and select whether SSRS should be in Native or SharePoint Integration Mode. For simplicity I have used default configuration;
Enter the log on credentials. Again I have chosen Service Credentials but would recommend a Domain User account for a production environment; Click Next and you ll be presented with a summary of your selections. Review them and click Previous to make any changes or click Next to proceed;
The Wizard will verify the configuration and show confirmation. Click Next if configuration of all components results in success otherwise click previous to make changes; The Database tab of the main Reporting Services Configuration Manager window will be updated with the database details. Review them and click Apply;
Navigate to the Report Manager URL tab and enter the Virtual Directory you want to use. Again here for simplicity I left this at the default option;
After making necessary changes on the tab click apply to create virtual directory and reserve URL. The results area will show confirmation and or error messages, if any issue are highlighted you have to resolve them before proceeding.
Click E-mail Settings and configure the SMTP settings if you want to use Report Server e-mail and click Apply;
On the Execution Account tab enter the details for accessing remote servers that store external images (make sure you use a domain user account with minimal read-only permissions) and click Apply;
Click onto the Encryption Keys tab. whenever I see a Backup button I feel the need to do so. In the case of a test environment this it is not especially important, but on a production environment I d recommend you to take back up of Encryption Key in case of a need to recover or move the SSRS database;
Enter a password which will be used to lock and unlock the Encryption Keys file (make sure you pick a password that you will remember); Once done, the Backup of the keys will be confirmed;
The final step is to scale out the Deployment should you wish;
When done click close and SSRS will be available for use within Microsoft Dynamics GP which I ll cover soon in the next post.