---
id: topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration
type: topic
title: Administration
summary: "Administration for Business Central on-premises covers tools and setup for running a deployment: the Administration Shell and Administration Center, server, web server and database configuration, authentication, encryption, monitoring, and integrations with Entra ID, Excel, Outlook, Key Vault and Dynamics 365 Sales. It answers how-to questions about configuring and operating on-premises environments."
tier: official
language: en
system: administration
review:
  state: reviewed
  by: opus
  at: "2026-10-07T02:15:44.484Z"
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evidence:
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    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/authenticating-users-with-azure-ad-overview
    title: Authenticating Business Central Users with Microsoft Entra ID
    date: "2024-04-16"
    commit: null
    t: null
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  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/users-credential-types
    title: Authentication and credential types
    date: "2024-09-09"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/administration-shell
    title: Business Central Administration Shell
    date: "2026-09-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/server-instance-settings
    title: Business Central Server instance settings
    date: "2026-09-18"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configure-sql-server-authentication
    title: Configure Business Central Database Authentication
    date: "2022-11-21"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configure-server-instance
    title: Configure Business Central Server
    date: "2026-08-04"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/authenticating-users-with-azure-ad-openid-connect
    title: Configure Microsoft Entra authentication with OpenID Connect
    date: "2025-01-21"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/understanding-session-timeouts
    title: Configure Session Timeout
    date: "2025-12-15"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/database-read-scale-out-configuration
    title: Configuring a Database for Read Scale-Out
    date: "2021-04-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configure-web-server
    title: Configuring Business Central Web Server instances
    date: "2024-11-11"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-encrypting-data
    title: Encrypting Data in Dynamics 365 for Business Central
    date: "2025-01-10"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/deployment/installation-considerations-for-microsoft-sql-server
    title: Installation considerations for Microsoft SQL Server and Business Central
    date: "2025-03-12"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/manage-indexes
    title: Manage database index usage
    date: "2026-08-19"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/administration-tool
    title: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Administration Center Tool
    date: "2024-04-14"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/performance-counters
    title: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Performance Counters
    date: "2024-04-16"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/server-events
    title: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Server Events
    date: "2024-10-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
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  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/server-trace-events
    title: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Server Trace Events
    date: "2024-10-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/monitor-server-events-windows-event-log
    title: Monitoring Business Central Server Events in Event Viewer
    date: "2021-06-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/monitor-server-events-with-powershell
    title: Monitoring Business Central Server Events with PowerShell
    date: "2024-10-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/monitor-long-running-sql-queries-event-log
    title: Monitoring Long Running SQL Queries to the Event Log
    date: "2021-04-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/monitor-server-events
    title: Monitoring Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Server Events
    date: "2024-04-16"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/optimize-sql-server-performance
    title: Optimizing SQL Server Performance with Business Central
    date: "2024-04-16"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/prepare-dynamics-365-for-sales-for-integration
    title: Preparing for Dynamics 365 for Sales for Integration
    date: "2021-04-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/register-app-azure
    title: Register Business Central On-Premises in Microsoft Entra ID
    date: "2025-06-20"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/deployment/configure-multiple-web-server-instances
    title: Set Up Multiple Business Central Web Server Instances using PowerShell
    date: "2024-10-28"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/Setting-up-Office-Add-Ins-Outlook-Inbox
    title: Set up the add-ins for Outlook in Business Central on-premises
    date: "2026-03-16"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/optimize-sql-set-compatibility-level
    title: Setting SQL Compatibility Level to Optimize Database Performance
    date: "2021-04-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/setup-app-key-vault-onprem
    title: Setting up App Key Vaults for Business Central on-premises
    date: "2021-04-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configuring-excel-addin
    title: Setting up the Excel Add-In for Editing Data
    date: "2024-09-18"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/troubleshoot-query-performance-using-query-store
    title: "Troubleshooting: Using Query Store to Monitor Query Performance"
    date: "2021-04-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/disable-limit-telemetry-events
    title: Turn Off or Limit Telemetry Trace Events
    date: "2024-10-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/monitor-use-logman-collect-event-trace-data
    title: Use Logman to Collect Event Trace Data
    date: "2024-10-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/monitor-use-performance-monitor-collect-event-trace-data
    title: Use Performance Monitor to Collect Event Trace Data
    date: "2024-10-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/monitor-use-perfview-collect-event-trace-data
    title: Use PerfView to Collect Event Trace Data
    date: "2024-10-26"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/authenticating-users-with-azure-active-directory
    title: User Authentication with Microsoft Entra ID for Single Sign-on
    date: "2024-04-16"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/authenticating-users-with-navuserpassword
    title: User Authentication with NavUserPassword
    date: "2024-06-24"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/troubleshoot-long-running-queries-using-event-log
    title: Using Event Log to Monitor Long Running SQL Queries
    date: "2021-04-01"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
  - kind: learn
    url: https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/using-sql-partitioning-and-compression
    title: Using Table Partitioning and Data Compression
    date: "2023-06-14"
    commit: null
    t: null
    quote: null
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    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/administration-shell
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configure-sql-server-authentication
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/understanding-session-timeouts
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-encrypting-data
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/administration-tool
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/prepare-dynamics-365-for-sales-for-integration
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/register-app-azure
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/Setting-up-Office-Add-Ins-Outlook-Inbox
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/setup-app-key-vault-onprem
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configuring-excel-addin
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    - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/configuring-user-authentication
    - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/configuring-business-central-server
    - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/configuring-business-central-web-server
    - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/configuring-business-central-database
    - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/monitoring-business-central-server
    - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/analyzing-database-performance
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  - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/configuring-business-central-server
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  - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/configuring-business-central-database
  - topic/dev-itpro/business-central-on-premises/administration/monitoring-business-central-server
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narrative: generated
---

# Administration

> Administration for Business Central on-premises covers tools and setup for running a deployment: the Administration Shell and Administration Center, server, web server and database configuration, authentication, encryption, monitoring, and integrations with Entra ID, Excel, Outlook, Key Vault and Dynamics 365 Sales. It answers how-to questions about configuring and operating on-premises environments.

Path: [Business Central on-premises](../business-central-on-premises.md) > Administration · tier official · system administration · narrative reviewed (checked by Opus)

## Overview

This section is for administrators of on-premises Business Central. It starts with the two management tools: the Administration Shell (PowerShell cmdlets for server instances, web server instances, databases, users and extensions) and the Administration Center, a Microsoft Management Console snap-in for managing instances, tenants and remote servers.
Subtopics cover each layer of the deployment: server instance settings, the web server (navsettings.json on IIS), the SQL database, user authentication, server monitoring, and database performance analysis. Own pages cover cross-cutting tasks: database authentication, data encryption keys, session timeout, and registering the app in Microsoft Entra ID.
Integration pages cover the Excel add-in, Outlook add-ins, App Key Vaults and preparing Dynamics 365 Sales. The Excel, Outlook and Key Vault setups rely on Microsoft Entra ID registration and authentication. The Sales page covers creating the integration user and installing the integration solution. For orientation, use the management tools and the core configuration pages first, then the integration pages.

## Key points

- The Administration Shell offers PowerShell cmdlets for server instances, web server instances, extensions, users and databases, and supports PowerShell 7. The page refers to version 28 (2026 release wave 1).
- The Administration Center is an MMC snap-in for creating server instances, managing tenants and connecting to remote servers.
- Database authentication sets up SQL Server authentication for single-tenant and multitenant deployments, including encryption key setup and encrypted connections.
- Data encryption uses the .NET Data Protection API. Each tenant supports one key, managed through export, import and delete.
- Session timeout is controlled by settings such as ClientServicesIdleClientTimeout, SessionTimeout, ClientServicesReconnectPeriod and ClientServicesKeepAliveInterval.
- Registering in Microsoft Entra ID (client secret, API permissions) enables Power BI, Universal Print and the Excel and Outlook add-ins.
- Outlook add-ins (Contact Insights, Document View) can be deployed by centralized, automated individual or manual deployment.
- Subtopics cover server and web server settings, SQL tuning, monitoring with performance counters and ETW, and slow query analysis with SqlLongRunningThreshold and Query Store.

## Subtopics

- [Configuring user authentication](administration/configuring-user-authentication.md) (5 pages)
- [Configuring Business Central server](administration/configuring-business-central-server.md) (2 pages)
- [Configuring Business Central web server](administration/configuring-business-central-web-server.md) (2 pages)
- [Configuring Business Central database](administration/configuring-business-central-database.md) (6 pages)
- [Monitoring Business Central server](administration/monitoring-business-central-server.md) (10 pages)
- [Analyzing database performance](administration/analyzing-database-performance.md) (3 pages)

## More Learn pages

- [Business Central Administration Shell](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/administration-shell): Read about the PowerShell cmdlets managing Business Central Server instances and extensions for on-premises deployments.
- [Configure Business Central Database Authentication](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configure-sql-server-authentication): This article describes how to configure SQL Server authentication between the Dynamics Business Central instance and a database.
- [Configure Session Timeout](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/understanding-session-timeouts): When you start a Business Central client, a connection is established, and a corresponding session is added to the Business Central Server.
- [Encrypting Data in Dynamics 365 for Business Central](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-encrypting-data): Learn about data encryption and how to use it to add security in Dynamics 365 Business Central.
- [Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Administration Center Tool](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/administration-tool): Read about the MMC snap-in for creating and managing Business Central Server instances for on-premises deployments.
- [Preparing for Dynamics 365 for Sales for Integration](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/prepare-dynamics-365-for-sales-for-integration): Learn how to set up and configure Dynamics 365 Sales for integrating with Business Central.
- [Register Business Central On-Premises in Microsoft Entra ID](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/register-app-azure): Register Business Central on-premises in Microsoft Entra ID to integrate with online services like Power BI and Universal Print.
- [Set up the add-ins for Outlook in Business Central on-premises](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/Setting-up-Office-Add-Ins-Outlook-Inbox): Learn how to configure your Business Central on-premises solution so that users can work with Business Central data in Outlook.
- [Setting up App Key Vaults for Business Central on-premises](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/setup-app-key-vault-onprem): Describes how to set up App Key Vault with Business Central on-premises.
- [Setting up the Excel Add-In for Editing Data](https://learn.microsoft.com/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/configuring-excel-addin): Learn about how to configure the Excel add-in so users can edit data in Excel and push back to Business Central.

## Business Central pages and reports

The pages, reports and queries this hub's Learn pages name (ms.search.form, API reference), joined to the code by exact object id (data/index/docs-objects.json); a page shows the table it runs on.

- [Page 8700 "Table Information"](../../../objects/page/8700.md) · via [Configuring Business Central database](administration/configuring-business-central-database.md)
- [Page 8705 "Table Information Card"](../../../objects/page/8705.md) · captioned "Index Management" · via [Configuring Business Central database](administration/configuring-business-central-database.md)
- [Page 9521 "Database Missing Indexes"](../../../objects/page/9521.md) · via [Configuring Business Central database](administration/configuring-business-central-database.md)

Source: Microsoft Learn (CC BY 4.0). Descriptions are Learn's own.