This is going to be the first part of series of posts on Team Foundation Server (TFS) 2010 and will include overview of TFS 2010 product and an installation scenario.  I am going to be practical as much as possible. Alright let’s start.

Why TFS

TFS is a platform to create a repository well aligned with functions and roles (project manager, developers, testers, analysts, team lead, etc.) on an IT project life cycle. Even though it is mostly used for source control, it is more than that; it is integrated and scalable platform for Application Lifecycle Management (ALM). Core features:

− Work Item Tracking: any traceable units (bugs, tasks, issues, etc.)

− Version Control: code repository with storage, retrieval, comparison, access rights features

− Build Automation: customizable build processes that can be scheduled & automated

− Reporting: Built-in report templates to track the team project status

− Project Management: ALM methodology adoption (CMMI, MSF Agile, SCRUM), monitoring team progress

Architecture:

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As seen in above image, TFS 2010 has 3 tiers: data (repository), application (services), and client (user interface).

Installation Scenario:

In this installation, we will follow TFS 2010 installation guidelines specific to dual-server topology, here are the servers and their features:

  1. Database: 64-bit MS SQL 2008 R2 Ent. on Win 2008 R2 Enterprise
  2. Application: SharePoint Foundation 2010 and 64-bit TFS 2010 on 64-bit Win 2008 R2 Enterprise

I would recommend each server to have 2.40 GHz, 6 GB RAM, and 1 VHD with 7.2 k RPM and 100+ GB (300 GB for Database server) for a moderate size teams (20-50 members).

As you’ve seen, in this installation application and data tiers are physically separated for the sake of scalability.

Also please note that, we will use SharePoint Foundation 2010 which is new version of Windows SharePoint Services (WSS 3.0), which is available for mid-size, pilot solutions with no charge.

Installation Steps

  • Get ready
    • Create user accounts: For TFS 2010 installation with all the features (analysis, reporting, etc.) we need 2 accounts as minimum, one is admin that does installation and configurations and the other one is service that runs services on behalf
    • Make your servers ready and satisfy with minimal requirements & windows updates
  • Install SQL 2008 R2 on database server: For steps, please visit here “How to Install SQL 2008 R2”. Please make sure you, at least, chose the features in the following image for installation

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  • Install SharePoint Foundation 2010: Please follow the steps defined here for this installation. You need to specify your SQL Server installed above in this step and may set NTLM as Authentication Method.
  • Install TFS 2010: Now we are ready for installing TFS 2010. Please follow the steps defined in Team Foundation Installation Guide 2010

Conclusion:

In this part, we have covered an overview of TFS 2010 briefly and installation steps of TFS 2010 according to dual-server topology or TFS Advanced installation mode on which data and application tiers are separated into 2 servers. Hope you like it and keep it tuned for coming partsSmile

For more information:

· Team Foundation Server 2010

· Team Foundation Server 2010 Product

· Team Foundation Installation Guide 2010