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Data Export Service and Versioning of Azure Key Vault URLs

Post Author: Joe D365 |

The Microsoft Data Export Service (DES) is a well-documented integration used to replicate CRM data to an external Azure SQL database. Even with its easy-to-use design, there are some limitations about what can be modified after the DES profile is created. One such example is the key vault secret URL.

When the initial profile is created and the key vault string has been input, it can no longer be changed without recreating the profile (which, by relation, requires the connected SQL tables to be dropped in order to start the sync again). If the key vault URL is copied directly, this will leave a static un-editable connection string. However, one small change to the DES profile set up will allow for the secret to be updated without needing to recreate the profile. Here’s how it works:

A standard key vault secret URL is formatted as such:

Once a key vault secret is created, the secret is locked and is unable to be edited – instead, it must be versioned. Azure Key Vault allows for secret versioning with the ability to have multiple versions enabled for the same vault at one time. The primary issue with simply versioning the secret is the new version changes the GUID, which means the URL that was entered in the profile is still pointing at the old secret. In the example below, the GUID in the secret (A) directly corresponds to the GUID on the end of the secret (B). This prevents standard operational updates to the connection string, such as password renewals.

To account for this, simply remove the GUID at the end of the secret URL. This will continue to point at the newest version of the secret, no matter how many times the secret is changed. This little trick can save several hours of work in case a change to the secret is ever needed in the future. Be sure to subscribe to our blog for more tips and tricks.

Happy Dynamics 365'ing!

Joe CRM
By Joe D365
Joe D365 is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 superhero who runs on pure Dynamics adrenaline. As the face of PowerObjects, Joe D365’s mission is to reveal innovative ways to use Dynamics 365 and bring the application to more businesses and organizations around the world.

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