Use TFS 2012 with Visual Studio 2008/2010 and Business Intelligence Development Studio(BIDS) 2008 R2

ll of you know that it is very easy to connect VS 2012 with TFS 2012. Ok..Here goes few questions...
1. Can you use TFS 2012 with VS 2010? or VS 2008?
2. Is it possible to connect BIDS 2008 (Business Intelligence Development Studio) installed with 2008 SQL Server R2 with TFS 2012?  Can you develop your SSIS packages or SSRS Reports in BIDS 2008 using source control with TFS2012?

Answer for all above is YES, YES, YES...and YES. let me show you how?

VS 2008/BIDS 2008 with TFS 2012

1. Download and install VS 2008 Team explorer from here.
2. Make sure you have installed SP1 for Visual Studio 2008. if not download and install it from here.
3. Download and install the TFS 2012 Compatibility GDR(General Distribution Release) for VS 2008 from here.
4. Go ahead and add your TFS 2012 server (REMEMBER you have to give project collection)  to VS 2008/BIDS 2008 Team Explorer.

Below screenshots show connecting TFS 2012 Online Service  with BIDS 2008.

Connecting giving project collection name

Authentication

Project Collection connected
 

 


VS 2010 with TFS 2012

1. Make sure you have installed SP1 for Visual Studio 2010. if not download and install it from here.
2. Download and install the TFS 2012 Compatibility GDR(General Distribution Release) for VS 2010 from here.
3. Go ahead and add your TFS 2012 server  to VS 2010 Team Explorer

It is much easier with VS 2010. You can connect and select the Project Collection you want.

Set up TFS 2012 on Windows Server 2008 R2 - A quick guide to installation

After a year long break I thought of writing on ALM again. I am going to give set of steps to install TFS 2012 on a Single server. You can use TFS2012 on cloud with visualstudio.com, but installing/configuring it will give you a good experience and  in depth knowledge. Anyone planing to take MS certification exam for Administering Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2012 will have a definite advantage when you do all by yourself.

So lets start,

1. Install Win 2008R2
2. Change computer name and Setup as PDC or Add to existing domain - It is useful to configure your own domain if you are trying out in a VPC for learning purpose.
3. Install Web Server(IIS) Role with ASP.net and Basic Authentication
4. Install SQL 2012 Standard/Enterprise or developer (Express is not having Analysis Services/Reporting Services)
5. Install Sharepoint Foundation 2010 -- REMEMBER --> Do not configure now
6. Install Sharepoint Foundation 2010 SP1 --  Configure Sharepoint..Add TFS service account to Farm Administrators group of sharepoint...Create default team site
7. Install TFS 2012
8. Configure TFS 2012 in Advanced Mode, make sure to select the installed Sharepoint Foundation 2010 in the sharepoint configuration step.

Above is brief but that's all you need. Additionally you can install MS office/MS project to have a better ALM experience integrated with TFS 2012.

If you need more info or help...contact me.. :)

I hope to discuss more details on ALM with VS 2012 & TFS 2012 in coming weeks...