How to install Microsoft Team Foundation Server in 10 simple steps

Recently I've been asked to install Microsoft Team Foundation Server on Windows Server 2003 as a single server deployment, meaning the application tier and Data tier are on one server. So after searching on google on how to install TFS, and spent hours following the instructions that I've found, finally I made it and we are now using it.

So to make your life easier on installing TFS, I have summarized the steps to install Team Foundation Server on Windows Server 2003 as a single-server deployment.

Step 1: Login to Win2k3 as administrator

Step 2: Install Win2k3 SP 1 and make sure that IIS is present

Step 3: Install .Net Framework 2.0 if it's not already on the server

Step 4: Run windows update if you like to and reboot the system

Step 5: Create a user account TFSService and TFSReports, you'll use it later when installing TFS

Step 6: Install SQL Server 2005

Note: follow the instructions on How to: Install Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (Single-Server Deployment) on Windows Server 2003, this will save you a lot of time. Make sure that the Database, Analysis, and Reporting Services are installed the rest are optional. follow carefully the instructions on number 11,12 and and 14 which states:

• 11.) On the Service Account page, clear the Customize for each service account check box. Click Use a domain user account.
  In the Username box, type the name of an appropriate service account.
  In the Password box, type the password for the service account.
  In the Domain box, type the name of the domain for the service account.
  In Start services at the end of setup, select the check boxes for all the following services: SQL Server, SQL Server Agent, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and SQL Browser.
  Click Next.
• 12.) On the Authentication Mode page, click Windows Authentication Mode, and then click Next.
• 14.) On the Report Server Installation Options page, click Install but do not configure the server.

After installation verify your SQL Server are running (i.e. SQL Browser, SQL Agent, etc...)

Step 7: Install SQL Server 2005 SP2 verify and reboot the machine

Step 8: Now that you have installed the prerequisites, its now time to install TFS, but before you do that, make sure that the port 8080 is available because this is the default port that TFS is using, just to avoid any complication. If its not available, disable the service that's using that port, why did I say that? because, I tried several times to install TFS on diffrent port and it never get through, so to avoid any hassle, I made the port 8080 available for TFS.

Step 9: This time you can now install the TFS, choose the first one on the list, "Install Foundation Server", and just follow the steps. Use TFSService user account for the service account and use TFSReports when asked for Reporting Service account.

Step 10: Then after everything goes smoothly, you can check your TFS on your IE, goto http://YourServerName/default.aspx and login as administrator or TFSService and from there you can create more authenticated user. To further test your TFS, get a visual studio team suite and from the tools menu connect to your team foundation server, and from there you can do pretty much whatever you want to do to your TFS.

That's all folks, hope these simple steps could help you get your Team Foundation Server Installation faster and running.

Thanks