Update: TFS 2012 has been replaced by TFS 2015 - if you're moving to TFS 2015, see our Rules to Better TFS 2015 Migration.
In this page we will look at upgrading an existing TFS 2010 server to a new TFS 2012 server. In this walkthrough, we assume you are currently using a single server configuration, but might want to separate your SQL Server from your TFS server. We also assume you have a DNS entry setup for external access at tfs.northwind.com.
Upgrading Team Foundation Server can be a daunting task. Be assured that things have become easier and if you follow this guide, it will minimize your downtime.
If you still need help, visit Application Lifecycle Management and book in a consultant.
- Prepare a new image. We recommend running Windows 2008 R2 Server x64using Hyper-V Manager. Your options are:
- Manually build a server
- Use a syspreped image (this will be quicker)
- System Center Virtual Machine Manager (recommended, quickest)
- Add the roles
- Application Server
- IIS
- Install SQL Server 2012 components for reporting and analysis (on the TFS server)
- Install (but don't configure) SQL Server 2012 Reporting Services
- Install (but don't configure) SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services
- You'll also need a SQL Server instance for the TFS databases if you don't already have one
- Install SQL Server 2012 x64 default configuration
We recommend doing a move to a new environment because it has a much easier rollback path if something goes wrong.
Note that these steps will also work for upgrading from TFS 2012 RC to RTM, or RTM to Update 1.
Before starting your upgrade, you should back up all your TFS databases.
It's important that you backup TFS by using one of the supported methods, to ensure that you can reliably restore your data if needed.
More steps will be required to integrate your SharePoint site and set up your Build servers.
To avoid headaches while upgrading the TFS database schemas, you should manually turn off database mirroring prior to running the Verify step of your configuration.
If you’re upgrading TFS 2010 to 2012, it’s highly recommended that you assign sysadmin privileges to the user account that’s doing the upgrade.
- Do you get a new TFS 2012 Server ready?
- Do you know how to upgrade your TFS 2010 databases? (the big one)
- Do you backup your databases for TFS 2012 migration?
- Do you plan your additional steps for TFS 2012 migration?
- Do you turn off Database Mirroring before Upgrading your TFS databases?
- Does your user account have SQL Server System Administrator privileges in SQL Server?