WikiAX: Detail Microsoft Dynamics AX Architecture

Understanding the internal architecture of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 can help you make decision when planning and developing a Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 system. Here are some pointers on Dynamics AX 2012 architecture primarily for Dynamics AX 2012 architects & solution developers.

System architecture
This diagram provides a high-level over of a Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 system with all components installed, and describes how communications flow between the components.

Model store architecture

The model store is the part of the Microsoft Dynamics AX database where all application elements for Microsoft Dynamics AX are stored. Customization's are also stored in the model store. The model store replaces the Application Object Data (AOD) files that were used in earlier versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX.

Layer information and model information are integral parts of the model store. The Application Object Server (AOS) has access to the model store. The AOS manages layer flattening or overshadowing at run time. That is, when you make an object modification in one layer, the modification overshadows the object on a lower layer at run time. You could, for example, decide to change a caption on a standard form. The change is saved on your layer only, and the revised—or flattened—form replaces the standard form at run time. The AOS also provides all the Microsoft Dynamics AX subsystems with model data, such as form rendering, report rendering, and X++ code.

Microsoft Dynamics AX contains sixteen layers. Each layer consists of one or more logical parts called models. A model is generated for each layer. For example, VAR Model is the model that the system generates for the VAR layer. The system-generated models let you install and work with the base Microsoft Dynamics AX system. When you customize the Microsoft Dynamics AX program, you can take advantage of the capabilities of models.

The following table describes the application object layers in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012:

Layer	Patch Layer
USR	USP
CUS	CUP
VAR	VAP
ISV	ISP
SLN	SLP
FPK	FPP
GLS	GLP
SYS	SYP

Application Object Server (AOS) architecture

This diagram describes the functionality with the AOS windows service, and describes how communications flow within it.

Note: Clients communicate with an AOS by using remote procedure calls (RPCs), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), or AOS services. In previous releases, other components and third-party programs could communicate with an AOS by using either .NET Business Connector or Application Integration Framework (AIF). For this release, we recommend that third-party programs use AOS services to communicate with AOS.

Client architecture

This diagram describes the functionality within the client, and describes how communications flow within it.

Client/server communication

The client communicates with various Microsoft Dynamics AX components in the following ways:

·         The client uses the remote procedure call (RPC) protocol to communicate with Application Object Server (AOS). The client never accesses the database or metadata directly. AOS sends the application objects and data to the client.

·         The data layer that the client uses is based on data sources that are specified in metadata for forms and queries. In addition, any X++ code that is required to retrieve data can use the built-in language support to query and adjust data.

·         The client uses a report Web Part to interact with the report server. By calling the web services that are exposed by the report server, the report control in the Web Part displays information that is contained in Reporting Services reports. These reports can include either transaction data from the Microsoft Dynamics AX application or OLAP cubes from Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services. Cubes provide business analytic's and key performance indicators (KPIs).

·         The client provides workflow forms, alerts, and controls so that users can participate in the business process by using the Workflow system. The Workflow system is a Microsoft Dynamics AX component that enables workflow processes by using Windows Communication Foundation classes.

·         The client provides a Help viewer, which is an application that displays context-sensitive Help topics. The Help topics are retrieved from a Help server that is located on-premises.

·         The client also provides Role Centers, or role-based home pages, for users. Role Centers provide role-specific tasks, activities, alerts, reports, and business intelligence that help users increase their productivity. To interact with the Role Centers that are provided by Enterprise Portal and hosted on Internet Information Services (IIS), the client uses a browser control.

Services and AIF architecture

This topic describes the high-level architecture of services and Application Integration Framework (AIF).

Enterprise Portal architecture

This diagram provides a logical overview of a Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 system with an Enterprise Portal server, and also describes the various components of the Enterprise Portal architecture.

Security architecture

This following diagram provides a high-level overview of the security architecture of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

Workflow system architecture

This following diagram provides a high-level architecture of the workflow infrastructure.

Analytic's architecture

The following diagram shows the Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services cubes that are included with Microsoft Dynamics AX, and the components that are used to access them.