CRM Troubleshooting: CRM Discovery Service via the Internet

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 is a vastly customizable solution, perfect for developers to create applications that run on top of it.

There are numerous issues and questions that arise when I’m assisting Fpweb.net hosted CRM customers that have a high level of CRM customization. One of the most common is: How do I access the Dynamics CRM Discovery Service via the internet?

By searching Google or Bing for answers, you will find numerous places that provide you with a URL to use. However, there is a slight problem with this method. These sites describe doing this work either on the same server or in an intranet setting. They will give you a URL like this to access the service:

http://URL/MSCrmServices/2007/ad/crmdiscoveryservice.asmx?WSDL

This URL will only allow access via the server itself, or if the deployment is configured as an intranet site.

The Solution

The real issue is that the internet facing deployment tool is what controls IIS access to the Dynamics CRM 4.0 application when you are utilizing an internet facing site.

In order to access the CRM Discovery Service via the internet, you need to use a URL like this:

http://URL/MSCrmServices/2007/IFD/crmdiscoveryservice.asmx?WSDL

Bingo! Now, all CRM developers out there needing to access this service have the ability to do so across the internet. I hope this quick fix helps.

That’s all for now, stay tuned for more CRM Tips and Tricks.