Exam 70-512:

TS: Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010, Administration

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/Exam.aspx?ID=70-512&Locale=en-us#tab1

About this Exam

This exam is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge and skills on installing, configuring and maintaining Visual Studio 2010 Team Foundation Server.

Audience Profile

This exam is intended for candidates who install, configure, and manage a Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server (TFS) 2010 implementation. Candidates typically work in an enterprise development organization that provides process automation services by using TFS.

The qualified candidate has:

• a solid understanding of the TFS architecture and components.
• experience installing and configuring a TFS in both single-server and multi-server configurations.
• experience managing security for TFS components.
• experience configuring and using Team Build.
• experience adapting process templates to an organization.
• experience managing project artifacts with TFS version control.
• experience configuring and using work item tracking.

Skills Being Measured

This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed below.The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

Installing and Configuring TFS (27%)

• Install TFS.This objective may include but is not limited to: SQL Server version support, installing TFS in a multi-tier or multi-machine environment, installing TFS in a load-balanced environment, setting up version control proxy
• Configure application tierThis objective may include but is not limited to: validating an installation, configuring SMTP for TFS, changing the URL (friendly name), changing the default SharePoint Web application, setting up reporting (SQL Server Analysis Services)
• Migrate and upgrade TFS.This objective may include but is not limited to: upgrading TFS 2005 or TFS 2008 to TFS 2010, importing a source base from Microsoft Visual Source Safe (VSS), a third-party revision control system, or a sub-version
• Install and configure team lab.This objective may include but is not limited to: set up environment templates, installing and configuring test agents, installing and configuring Virtual Machine Manager (basic Virtual Machine Manager installation), creating library shares or resource pools
• Install and configure multiple build agents and controllers.This objective may include but is not limited to: tagging, binding a controller to a project collection, adding as build agent

Managing TFS (27%)

• Manage Team Project Collections.This objective may include but is not limited to: moving project collections, managing team collections and projects, creating and configuring team project collections, moving team projects from one collection to another, creating a team project with SharePoint and SQL Server Reporting Services, cloning (splitting team project collections, partitioning)
• Configure for backup and recovery.This objective may include but is not limited to: backup and recovery of TFS and related components, recover a failed application tier, recover a failed database tier, implement a disaster recovery plan
• Monitor server health and performance.This objective may include but is not limited to: application tier logs, monitoring the server for performance issues (monitoring activity logging database and TFS server manager), monitoring job infrastructure for failed jobs (monitoring warehouse adapters and warehouse jobs), cleanup of stale workspaces and shelvesets, cleanup builds (applying retention policies), setting up team build to use a version control proxy server
• Administer TFS application tier.This objective may include but is not limited to: retiring or archiving projects and purging the system, rebuilding a warehouse, configuring user permissions by using Active Directory Domain Services  and TFS groups, moving a TFS instance to a new server or a new domain, configuring security for TFS Work Item Only View
• Manage reporting for TFS.This objective may include but is not limited to: basic reporting using Microsoft Office Excel Services, adding a custom report to a SharePoint project portal, uploading a new SQL Server Reporting Services TFS report, configuring to enable a report to appear in a SharePoint project portal
• Set up automated functional and UI tests.This objective may include but is not limited to: setting up a build definition, configuring the build definition to use the proper lab environment, setting up tests to work on an installed agent, setting up a service as interactive, setting up data collectors

Customizing TFS for Team Use (24%)

• Configure a team build definition.This objective may include but is not limited to: setting up for a Symbol Server and Source Server, setting up for test impact analysis, setting up for custom build numbers, configuring build log verbosity, setting up for code analysis, setting up for automated unit testing, setting up for architecture validation
• Configure and execute a build.This objective may include but is not limited to: queuing a build with parameters, reconciling workspaces as part of a gated check-in workflow, setting up build triggers (gated check-in, continuous integration, scheduled build)
• Modify a process template.This objective may include but is not limited to: customizing a process template by changing the workflow for a work item, adding a new work item type as a child of an existing work item (WI), uploading and downloading process templates
• Configure a team project.This objective may include but is not limited to: areas and iterations, default security groups, portal settings (team project portal site URL, process guidance URL)
• Apply work item customizations.This objective may include but is not limited to: link types, Global list, creating a new WI category and adding existing WI types to the new category, adding or removing fields, transitions, queries, customizing a workflow, creating or editing a work item type, importing and exporting work item types, renaming work item types
• Create Work Item Query Language (WIQL) queries.This objective may include but is not limited to: query folders and permissions, query types (tree, flat, directed), defining WIQL keywords, adding fields to a query, creating a WIQL query by using Team Explorer, identify built-in macros
• Configure client connectivity to TFS.This objective may include but is not limited to: configuring Visual Studio, Team Explorer, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, and other tools to connect to TFS, configuring clients for proxy server

Administering Version Control (23%)

• Create and manage workspaces.This objective may include but is not limited to: cloaking, undo delete, modifying a workspace, deleting a workspace, specifying the workspace visibility, restoring deleted items, unlocking other users’ checkouts, pending changes, and code
• Configure shelvesets.This objective may include but is not limited to: private builds, creating a shelveset, deleting a shelveset, opening another user’s shelveset
• Branch and merge source artifacts.This objective may include but is not limited to: track change visualizations, converting a folder into a proper branch and creating a new branch, merging and resolving file conflicts, viewing branch hierarchy, creating a branch, deleting a branch
• Configure version control proxy.This objective may include but is not limited to: cache hit ratio, setting up the cache size, setting up for multiple TFS servers
• Configure team project version control settings.This objective may include but is not limited to: enable multiple checkout, enable get latest on checkout, configuring check-in policies for a team project (work items, builds, code analysis, testing policies)

The Development outline while working with TFS 2010 is as follows.

1. User Stories are entered in TFS with Estimates.
2. Tasks are created and linked to the User Stories.
3. Test Cases are created in TFS and linked to User Stories.
4. Bugs are filed and linked to the User Story.
5. Once all Tasks,Test Cases, and Bugs are completed the User Stories are mark as resolved.
6. Reports are created to ensure all items are resolved and the Project is complete before release.

Work Items and Workflow (Agile)

• Defining User Stories, Tasks, and Other Work Items
• Creating a User Story, a Task, or Another Type of Work Item
• Creating Many User Stories, Tasks, or Other Work Items at One Time
• Creating a Work Item that Automatically Links to Another Work Item
• Creating Test Cases and Test Plans By Using Test and Lab Manager
• Opening and Tracking Bugs By Using Test Runner and Test and Lab Manager
• Viewing Work Items Assigned to You
• Customizing Work Item Types and Related Tasks

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd997897(v=VS.100).aspx#CreatingManyWorkItems

Working with User Stories

• Defining a User Story
• Adding and Linking Tasks to a User Story
• Adding and Linking Test Cases to a User Story
• Adding a Bug to a User Story
• Adding an Issue to a User Story
• Adding Details, Attachments, or Hyperlinks to a User Stories
• Resolving and Closing a User Story

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd380634(VS.100).aspx#LinkBug

Working with Tasks

• Defining a Task
• Linking a Task to a User Story
• Linking a Task to a Bug
• Adding Details, Attachments, or Hyperlinks to a Task
• Closing Completed Tasks

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd380700(v=VS.100).aspx

Complete Process with Details on All Reports

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd997796(v=VS.100).aspx#TrackTheProject

Product Planning Workbook (Reports)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd380682(v=VS.100).aspx

MSF for Agile Software Development v5.0

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd380647(VS.100).aspx

The recommended step for installation is to uninstall the RC version and install RTM on the Application Tier.  I found a great post to follow by Martin Hinshelwoods. http://geekswithblogs.net/hinshelm/archive/2010/04/12/_upgrading-from-tfs-2010-rc-to-tfs-2010-rtm-done.aspx   

The first step was to make sure I had all of the settings from the initial installation on hand such as the Data Tier and Service Users. I also made a list of urls for the Report Server and existing SharePoint installation. After uninstalling TFS RC and made an attempt to install RTM I was asked to Uninstall Team Explorer 2010 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Shell separately from the TFS Uninstall.  Just a minor difference from Martin Hinshelwood’s post. Once the installation was completed I started the RTM install wizard and chose the upgrade option. The process went as planned with no interruptions using the existing settings when prompted for credentials.  I have to admit I am falling in love with the new TFS 2010.

After searching for a few minutes the issue was resolved by Processing the Analysis Database.

There are 2 ways to complete this task.

Using the TFS webservice

1. Logon to the Application Tier for TFS.

2. Browse to http://localhost:8080/tfs/TeamFoundation/Administration/v3.0/WarehouseControlService.asmx or Use IIS Manager to navigate to this URL.

3. Select Process Analysis Database  and Invoke a Full processing Type.

Using  SQL Management Studio

1. Login to SQL Management Studio

2. Select your TFS Analysis Server under Databases.

3. Right Mouse Click on the Database and select Process.

4. Select Ok.

Professional Experience

Software Release Manager – Orlando, FL ▪ Jan, 2008 – Present

· Provide development and production support that includes design of code library and establishment of SCM procedures for development teams.

· Configure and maintain servers for Development, QA, UAT, Production and BCP environments.

· Develop and institutionalize SCM procedures to include controlled promotions upon milestone completions, automated builds, and the deployment of code.

· Create custom MSBuild scripts to complete full deployment of Applications, Web Services and Windows Services using Microsoft Team Foundation Server.

· Install and Administer instances of Microsoft Team Foundation Server 2005,2008, and 2010.

· Liaison between the Business, Developers, QA Team, UAT and Production Support.

· Manage QA Team.

Jr Software Developer – Orlando, FL ▪ September – December, 2007

· Implemented enhancements and new modules to the existing system.

· Provided support for Senior Developers, and resolved bugs identified by end users.

Licensed Residential Real Estate Agent – Self Employed, Orlando, FL ▪ 2004 – Present

Escalated Technical Resolution Representative – AT&T Wireless, Orlando, FL ▪ 1997 – 2005

Programming and Software Skills

Team Foundation Server (TFS),Microsoft Server 2003, Microsoft Server 2008, SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Reporting Services, MSBuild, CSS,Microsoft VB 6.0, Visual Studio, XML, XHTML, HTML, SharePoint, Microsoft Office, Windows, Adobe PhotoShop.

-The Process of Growth-

“Growth is seldom random. Rather, it occurs according to a plan that eventually determines the size and shape of the individual.”

(Encylopedia Britannica)

One of my major issues with information on the web is broken/missing links, and when I find something that I consider to be valuable I will post it to ensure the information is available at a later date. The troubleshooting guide posted on the Microsoft TFS Forums is one of them.

UPDATED GUIDE: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd266793.aspx

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/tfssetup/thread/3a12e39a-53c5-4a8c-bdaa-a3152371f76a

If you’ve had problems installing TFS or Team Explorer (TFC) 2008, or upgrading to TFS 2008 from TFS 2005, you’ve come to the right place for help. There’s also some help for trouble with TFS 2008 SP1.

Known issues with solutions/workarounds:

General

1. Problem: You receive an error message “TF220059: An error occurred querying the current settings from your existing Team Foundation Server database”
   Solution: There are several common causes for this error:
   1. The DT has the firewall enabled and no exceptions are set for SQL server.
   2. You specified the data tier server name but not the instance name, and you’re using a non-default SQL instance. Specify this as server\instance, e.g. “MyDBServer\TfsInstance”.
   3. SQL Reporting Services or SQL Analysis Services is not installed or not running. These components may be on the AT, DT, or separate machines (RS is typically on the AT, and AS typically on the DT). Ensure these services are installed, running, and set to automatic.

2. Problem: Error in the logs during repair:

   ERROR: Unhandled exception causing exit: No mapping between account names and security IDs was done.

   Solution:

   Re-create the app pool, set the identity to the same user, re-run repair.

3. Problem: At the end of the installation/repair/uninstall, the wizard does not display any buttons (e.g. Finish)
   Solution: Move the mouse over the bottom section of the wizard (where you’d expect to find the button) and the button should draw in.

4. Problem: When upgrading from TFS 2008 Workgroup Edition to TFS Standard Edition via Add/Remove Programs, you will find that the product key field is greyed out and thus you are blocked from upgrading – this is not “by design”.
   Solution: Run setup from the media (rather than Add/Remove Programs) and the ID field will not be read-only.  Alternatively, you can uninstall Workgroup Edition and then install Standard Edition.

5. Problem: TFS install fails, MSI log contains message: “ConfigureUsers:  Error 0×80070005: Failed to check existence of domain: <machine or domain name>, user: <setup or service account>”
   Solution: There are several possible causes, based partly on the details in the error message:
   1. If your domain is shown as the first parameter, your TFS server may have trouble contact or receiving a response from your domain controller.
   2. If the name in the first parameter is not your domain, but rather one of your domain controllers, there are two known possible causes:
   2a. There is a dns/routing problem between the TFS server and the listed DC. In this case, check network settings including DNS suffixes; you can try adding a hosts entry for the DC’s IP address as a test/workaround.
   2b. There is a domain trust issue dealing with either the setup or service account and the domains they belong to. Installing as a Domain Admin is known to work around this issue but may not be a viable solution. Check with a domain admin and confirm there is full trust between the domains to which the setup and service accounts belong.

Longhorn Server (Windows Server 2008)

1. Problem: Error 32000.The Commandline ‘”D:\Users\VSEQA1\AppData\Local\Temp\\ConfigIIS.exe” -action:createvdir -nameervices “-site:Team Foundation Server” “-pool:Microsoft Team Foundation Server Application Pool” “-path:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Team Foundation Server\Web Services\Services\”‘ returned non-zero value: 100
   Solution (Note: This will probably be fixed in the RTM version of LHS.):
   1. Launch elevated command prompt
   2. Run notepad %windir%\System32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config
   3. Remove the following section:
      <location path=”Team Foundation Server/Services”>
      </location>
      <location path=”Team Foundation Server/Warehouse”>
      </location>
      <location path=”Team Foundation Server/Build”>
      </location>
      <location path=”Team Foundation Server/WorkItemTracking”>
      </location>
      <location path=”Team Foundation Server/VersionControl”>
      </location>
   4. Save the file
   5. Execute iisreset
   6. Click retry on the TFS error message
2. Problem: Unable to install SQL 2005 RS on a LHS (Windows Server 2008) machine; SQL installer reports that IIS is not installed even though it is. May also surface as TF22059 issue above if you finished the SQL 2005 install and didn’t realize RS was not installed.
   Solution: SQL 2005′s installer is not IIS7-aware. If the optional IIS7 components that RS requires are not installed, SQL setup will report IIS is not installed, and if you complete the SQL installation, RS will not be included. The required features of IIS7 include (but may not be limited to): HTTP Redirection, Windows Authentication, and all of the IIS6 Management Compatibility features.
3. Problem: Unable to install SharePoint 3.0 on LHS.
   Solution: You need WSS3 with sp1. You can download the version with sp1 included here: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=106433

Also note that if you run SQL 2005 on LHS, you need to apply sp2 (or later) to SQL Server.

SQL Reporting Services

1. Problem: Errors relating to Reporting Services during TFS install/upgrade; Browsing http://<server>/Reports gives an error about a login failure (e.g. for NT Authority\Anonymous Login).
   Solution:
   1. In the SQL Reporting Services Configuration tool, verify what identity RS is currently configured to access the database with – typically, Network Service.
   2. In the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases, view roles and verify that the account above is a member of the RSExecRole. In a single-server setup, this should show up as “NT Authority\Network Service”. In a dual-server setup (or any configuration where RS and the databases are not on the same machine), it should show up as “Domain\RS_Machine$”. For example, if your domain name is Contoso and your RS installation is on TFSAT, verify that Contoso\TFSAT$ is in the RSExecRole.

We’ll add to these over time based on feedback, bug reports, other forum threads, etc.

Where are the log files?

1. Look in both %temp% and %temp%\.. (the parent dir of %temp%).  It’s a long story why that’s the case, but it’s still that way in Orcas (TFS 2008) as well.
2. Sort based on Date Modified descending so the files written to most recently are at the top
3. dd_install_vstf*.txt and vsmsi*.txt are the ones that will be most helpful in the 95% case, with dd_depcheck*.txt useful on those other occasions where we’re having version number issues (this tends to affect us more internally than it does external customers)
4. TFS is dd_install_vstf_at*.txt; Team Explorer (TFC) is dd_install_vstf_tfc*.txt.
5. Note: If you have trouble applying TFS 2008 SP1, there are additional details in the SP1 log, which can be found in the same folders as above, but the filename will be something like “Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 2008…MSI0.txt”

What am I looking for in the log files?

The log files can be cryptic and misleading at times. Here are some tips on how to find the most relevant parts:

1. The dd_*.txt files are cumulative – so you probably want to start at or near the end if you’ve run setup more than once.
2. In dd_*.txt, searching for “ERRORLOG EVENT” is a good place to start – however, note that you’ll usually see several of these, and they aren’t all serious problems.
3. VSMSI*.txt – there is one of these for each time setup reaches the progress bar page (roughly). Look for the newest VSMSI*.txt file to find the log for the most recent attempt.
4. Within that VSMSI file, generally start at the end (especially if you haven’t canceled setup yet – otherwise, you’ll still have to scroll up a bit).
5. Remember that if you fail and/or cancel before you reach the progress bar page, you won’t get a VSMSI*.txt file.

Can someone from Microsoft look at my log files?

Sure! If you are hitting problems, first, please search the forums for similar errors/failures (you may want to use a general search engine scoped to forums.microsoft.com in addition to the forum’s built-in search feature – e.g. “Search Terms site:forums.microsoft.com” on both Live and Google search).

If you find a matching thread, see if any information in that thread unblocks you.  If you don’t find a matching thread, follow these steps:

1. Start a thread describing the problem you are seeing.  This is the only way to get a response.  Include in the thread as much relevant information as possible.  Include the text of any error messages you are seeing.
2. Send an email to tfsb2sup@microsoft.com. with the following required information:
   • Attached log files (as described above)
   • A link to the new forum thread you created in step 1.
   • Your forum username
   • A subject line such as “log files for thread XYZ”  to help us respond more quickly.
3. Your email address and any personally-identifiable information in the logs are protected by the Microsoft Data Collection Policy (http://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx). If you feel this is inadequate, be sure to scrub any machine names, user names, etc. from the log files before you send them.

Bear in mind that this is part of the forum’s “best effort” level of support. If you have an emergency or need turnaround in a predictable timeframe, please engage official Microsoft Product Support Services (http://support.microsoft.com/ph/9488).

In addition to helping you get unblocked, your experience and feedback will help us improve the setup experience for TFS in this and future releases.

Error:

Event Type:        Error

Event Source:    TFS Services

Event Category:                None

Event ID:              3071

Date:                     12/20/2009

Time:                    12:24:32 AM

User:                     N/A

Computer:          ApplicationTier

Description:

TF53010: The following error has occurred in a Team Foundation component or extension:

Date (UTC): 12/20/2009 5:24:32 AM

Machine: ApplicationTier

Application Domain:  #######

Assembly: Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Server, Version=9.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=1234555; v2.0.50727

Process Details:

Process Name: w3wp

Process Id: 1234

Thread Id: 1224

Account name: SERVICE ACCOUNT

Detailed Message: TF200035: One or more errors occurred when Team Foundation Server attempted to synchronize with the following Active Directory identity: TFSGuy. Number of errors that occurred: 1.

An error occurred when trying to read the following Active Directory distinguished name: CN=A-###-##-#######-###,CN=%@%@%@%@%,DC=dad,DC=###,DC=###. This identity was not added to the Active Directory identity listed above, or if it had already been added, it has been removed. Exception message: No mapping between account names and security IDs was done.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

FIX:

Execute the TFSSecurity command to identify the Groups the user (TFSGuy)belongs to in TFS and remove them or have the user added to the Active Directory.

tfssecurity /server:ApplicationTier /imx n:TFSGuy

Other Links:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms252504(VS.80).aspx (TFSSecurity)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms253088(VS.80).aspx (Command Line Tools)

Error:

Event Type:        Error

Event Source:    Windows SharePoint Services 3

Event Category:                Topology

Event ID:              5617

Date:                     12/19/2009

Time:                    8:04:56 PM

User:                     N/A

Computer:          TFSAppTier

Description:

The schema version (3.0.149.0) of the database WSS_Content_123 on TFSDataTier is not consistent with the expected database schema version (3.0.151.0) on TFSAppTier.  Connections to this database from this server have been blocked to avoid data loss.  Upgrade the web front end or the content database to ensure that these versions match.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

There are a number of fixes listed for this error in other forums, however the easiest option resolved the issue for me. (  Try Locating the SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration Wizard un Administrative Tools first, and if you do not have the link available proceed with the steps below. )  After the fix the sites were restored.

FIX:

Start the Windows SharePoint Services Administration service using the Services applet (Start, Run, Services.msc) and run SharePoint Products and Technologies Configuration Wizard.

Link to other Fixes:

http://littletalk.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/upgrade-the-web-front-end-or-the-content-database-to-ensure-that-these-versions-match/

Optional Command for Verification:

The following command will return the settings for SharePoint.

D:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Team Foundation Server\Tools> TfsAdminUtil ConfigureConnections /view

TfsAdminUtil – Team Foundation Admin Utility

Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

*The Remote Access Connection Manager service, Remote Access Auto Connection Manger and Telephony services must all be enabled in order to start the  Visual Studio Team Foundation Build Service Host service.

The Visual Studio Team Foundation Build Service Host service depends on the Remote Access Connection Manager service which failed to start because of the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

The Remote Access Auto Connection Manager service depends on the Telephony service which failed to start because of the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

Restore Recycle Bin icon to the Desktop

• Click Start, type Control desk.cpl,,@Web and press Enter
• In the Desktop Icon Settings dialog, enable the Recycle Bin checkbox
• Click OK

Another way to access the Desktop Icon Settings dialog is to right-click on the Desktop, click Personalize, and in the left pane, click Change desktop icons.