TFS

Team Foundation Server (TFS) is a software that delivers version control, which ensures tracking of the work item and facilitates team building. The software also facilitates the creation of a web site for team projects and reporting.

TFS also extends capabilities for project management with the use of various settings deployed. The software user can access the settings in either simple or complex state. The software is also flexible for use by people or organization with specific needs. This is by the help of customization capability of software to meet different organization structures in completing and submitting a project.

Some of the TFS features one is needed to be aware of include the hardware requirements, typologies supported, restoration and backup and authentication models. The software fully works with all 32-bit Microsoft server operating systems. However, the software also works with 64-bit windows server 2003, but the software requires customized installation to work well. The software protection and security of users is ensured by the use of authentication and authorization settings.

The authentication is undertaken by the operating system using password and username. Authorization, however, is done by the team foundation server by checking the permission of a user to write or read any data. TFS hardware requirements and considerations needed for a better performance output varies and is flexible. However, the software requires a network connection that is reliable and has a bandwidth minimum of 1 Mbps and a maximum latency of 350ms. Some of the software assumptions to guide users include upgrading servers purchased before 2004.

All new servers purchased from 2004 are compliant with software. The software will also need at least one computer totally dedicated to server operations. The server software also requires consideration of Team Foundation Application tier, data, client tier, server proxy, team foundation build and their interactions for its security plan. In order to have a well-planned security plan, you will also need to be aware of web services, object models and databases used in the TFS. You will also need to be aware of default network ports and the ones set for customized applications and other dependencies parameters.

The software object model allows communication between the application tier and the client tier. The object model is also responsible with third party customization, software integration and extended server functionalities. The TFS is facilitated by databases and web services that are installed and configured separately on the data tier, application tier and client tier. The software network ports and protocols can be set in two types of settings that include default network setting or customized network settings. The protocols used range from HTTP to SSL in web services and Microsoft SQL reporting services.

The TFS software by default has three categories of users depending on their roles. Team foundation administrator can install and maintain the server while still configuring security and permission of other roles. Team project administrator maintains a database and project portal while team project contributor can access, read, write and view project.

Developing different projects over the years our outsource software development team used TFS in so many of them, for example: iPhone Trivia Application, Digital Library of Latvian National Library, Ronald McDonald House Charities Latvia Website, DSA Training System and others.