https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/system-configuration/ Recent content in System Configuration on Engineering Leadership in AI & Software Hugo en Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:40:35 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/engineering-notes/building-a-resilient-token-server-engineering-for-flow-fault-tolerance-and-speed/ Thu, 08 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/engineering-notes/building-a-resilient-token-server-engineering-for-flow-fault-tolerance-and-speed/ Aiming for a resilient, fast, and fault-tolerant token counting system, the author replaced fragile server restarts with a batch-wide server lifecycle, added retry logic for transient failures, and implemented a local fallback to ensure uninterrupted processing. These changes improved reliability, reduced downtime, and provided clear logs for troubleshooting. Development managers should focus on building systems that handle real-world failures gracefully, prioritize flow, and include observability and fallback mechanisms from the start. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/engineering-notes/convert-legacy-projects-and-asp-net-mvc-apps-to-sdk-style-with-confidence/ Thu, 29 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/engineering-notes/convert-legacy-projects-and-asp-net-mvc-apps-to-sdk-style-with-confidence/ Upgrading legacy .NET projects to SDK-style makes your codebase easier to maintain, improves build and CI/CD integration, and prepares you for future .NET upgrades. Converting class libraries is straightforward and highly recommended, while web apps require more care and are best handled with the MSBuild.SDK.SystemWeb package if you want SDK-style; otherwise, you can leave them in the old format. Start by converting class libraries now to simplify your engineering system and reduce technical debt. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-release-management-pipeline-for-professional-developers/ Thu, 04 Dec 2014 12:15:56 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-release-management-pipeline-for-professional-developers/ This guide walks through setting up an automated release management pipeline using TFS/VSO and Azure, showing how to build, deploy, and parameterize a legacy web app across multiple feedback environments. Key takeaways include the importance of automating builds and releases, using environment-specific parameters, and streamlining approvals for smoother deployments. Development managers should consider investing time upfront to automate and parameterize their pipelines, as this reduces manual errors and accelerates feedback cycles. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-tools-your-ultimate-guide-to-seamless-migrations/ Thu, 17 Oct 2019 19:16:03 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-tools-your-ultimate-guide-to-seamless-migrations/ Azure DevOps Migration Tools enable experienced teams to move work items and related data between environments efficiently, supporting features like syncing changes during migration and extensive customization. For best results, set up a dedicated environment, migrate open work items first, use date-based queries for updates, and monitor API performance. Engage with the active open-source community for support and improvements to ensure a smooth migration. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/standard-environments-for-automated-deployment-and-testing/ Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:23:45 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/standard-environments-for-automated-deployment-and-testing/ Explains how to set up and use Standard Environments in Visual Studio 2012 TFS for automated software deployment and testing, enabling consistent, repeatable pipelines. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-a-build-vnext-agent/ Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:55:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-a-build-vnext-agent/ Microsoft’s new modular build system for TFS and VSO, currently in early preview, replaces the old controller model with a more flexible pool and queue approach, simplifying agent management and permissions. Setting up a vNext Build Agent requires spinning up your own VM, installing Visual Studio 2013 or 2015, and configuring the agent via PowerShell. Development managers should prepare for a shift to this new system and consider early testing to understand its benefits and requirements. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-standard-environment-for-release-management-in-azure/ Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:30:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-standard-environment-for-release-management-in-azure/ Setting up a standard release management environment in Azure is straightforward, cost-effective, and closely mirrors on-premises setups by using VMs, resource groups, and Application Insights for analytics. Using the old Azure portal gives better control over naming and resource organization, while Azure’s flexibility allows quick scaling and isolation for multiple environments. Development managers should consider scripting environment setup for repeatability and use Application Insights to track application usage and feedback. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/team-foundation-build-2012-issue-the-target-cleanworkspacepackagetempdir-does-not-exist/ Sat, 20 Oct 2012 17:30:11 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/team-foundation-build-2012-issue-the-target-cleanworkspacepackagetempdir-does-not-exist/ Explains how to resolve the “CleanWorkspacePackageTempDir does not exist” build error in Team Foundation Build 2012 for upgraded ASP.NET MVC projects by updating project targets. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/access-denied-for-orchestration-plan-on-build/ Wed, 16 Dec 2015 14:18:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/access-denied-for-orchestration-plan-on-build/ When setting up a TFS build agent for a high-volume customer, a permissions error blocked builds because the “Project Collection Build Service” lacked write access to the orchestration plan. The issue is tied to permission inheritance and a known bug in TFS 2015 RTM, and can be fixed by ensuring both “Project Build Service” and “Project Collection Build Service” have inherited permissions on build definitions via Visual Studio. Development managers should verify these permissions to avoid similar build failures and streamline onboarding to new build systems. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/engaging-with-complexity-team-foundation-server-edition/ Mon, 01 Jul 2013 17:00:31 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/engaging-with-complexity-team-foundation-server-edition/ Detailed walkthrough of a complex Team Foundation Server migration, covering remediation, hardware moves, upgrades, user management, and validation in large enterprise environments. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/in-place-upgrade-of-tfs-2008-to-tfs-2010-with-move-to-new-domain/ Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:57:41 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/in-place-upgrade-of-tfs-2008-to-tfs-2010-with-move-to-new-domain/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading Team Foundation Server 2008 to 2010, including in-place upgrade, build server update, and migrating to a new domain with key troubleshooting tips. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/syncing-many-dynamics-ax-instances-to-a-single-tfs-2010-team-project/ Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:20:46 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/syncing-many-dynamics-ax-instances-to-a-single-tfs-2010-team-project/ Explains how to configure multiple Dynamics AX instances to sync with a single TFS 2010 Team Project, streamlining source control and work item management for many clients. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-a-wit-adapter-for-the-tfs-integration-platform-for-a-source-with-no-history/ Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:25:32 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-a-wit-adapter-for-the-tfs-integration-platform-for-a-source-with-no-history/ Explains how to build a TFS Integration Platform Work Item Tracking (WIT) adapter for a source system without history, covering versioning, field mapping, and error handling. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-jenkins-to-talk-to-tfs-2013/ Wed, 07 May 2014 09:51:59 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-jenkins-to-talk-to-tfs-2013/ Guide to integrating Jenkins with TFS 2013 using the Team Foundation Server plugin, covering installation, configuration, and key differences from TF Build. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/reserve-an-agent-for-a-special-build-in-team-foundation-server-2012/ Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:37:57 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/reserve-an-agent-for-a-special-build-in-team-foundation-server-2012/ Explains how to reserve a build agent in Team Foundation Server 2012 using custom activities, agent tagging, and workflow changes to ensure reliable, isolated build execution. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-to-team-foundation-server-2012-update-1-in-production-%E2%80%93-done/ Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:47:34 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-to-team-foundation-server-2012-update-1-in-production-%E2%80%93-done/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading Team Foundation Server 2012 to Update 1, including prerequisites, backup, disk space, configuration, troubleshooting, and build server setup. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-2012-issue-stuck-builds-in-team-foundation-build-with-no-build-number/ Thu, 30 Aug 2012 05:40:19 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-2012-issue-stuck-builds-in-team-foundation-build-with-no-build-number/ Explains how to resolve stuck builds in TFS 2012 where no build number is assigned, caused by IIS multiple site bindings, with steps to fix via web.config settings. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-tfs-2010-to-tfs-2012-with-vss-migration-and-process-template-consolidation/ Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:38:01 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-tfs-2010-to-tfs-2012-with-vss-migration-and-process-template-consolidation/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading TFS 2010 to TFS 2012, migrating VSS data, consolidating process templates, and resolving common issues during team project integration. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2008-and-wss-v3-0-with-sftsv2-to-tfs-2010-and-sf-2010-with-sftsv3/ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2008-and-wss-v3-0-with-sftsv2-to-tfs-2010-and-sf-2010-with-sftsv3/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading TFS 2008 and WSS v3.0 with SfTSv2 to TFS 2010 and SharePoint 2010, including process template migration and data handling. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/anatomy-of-an-automation-for-the-tfs-automation-platform/ Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:25:46 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/anatomy-of-an-automation-for-the-tfs-automation-platform/ Explains how to build, install, configure, and run automations for TFS, covering plugin deployment, activation, settings, UI integration, and job processing steps. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-a-dc-in-azure-for-aad-integrated-release-management/ Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:24:52 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-a-dc-in-azure-for-aad-integrated-release-management/ Setting up a domain controller in Azure for Azure Active Directory integrated release management enables realistic cloud-based demos and infrastructure. The process involves creating a virtual machine, installing Active Directory and DNS roles, configuring a static IP, and promoting the VM to a domain controller, after which you can scale down resources to save costs. This approach provides a practical, cost-effective way to build and manage cloud-based environments for development and training; consider adopting similar steps for your own cloud infrastructure needs. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-a-powershell-adapter-for-the-tfs-integration-platform/ Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:58:19 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-a-powershell-adapter-for-the-tfs-integration-platform/ Explains how to set up and configure a PowerShell adapter in the TFS Integration Platform to automate source control migrations, with custom scripts for each change type. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/install-tfs-2015-today/ Thu, 30 Apr 2015 05:50:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/install-tfs-2015-today/ If your team is still using TFS 2010 or earlier, you need to upgrade soon as support ends in July; TFS 2015 offers a streamlined installation, reduced setup time, and improved features, including a new build system. The Basic Server option makes it easy to get started with minimal configuration, and you can use SQL Express or your own SQL Server. Plan to upgrade to TFS 2015 now to ensure continued support and take advantage of the latest improvements. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-to-tfs-2015-in-production-done/ Wed, 29 Apr 2015 18:45:30 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-to-tfs-2015-in-production-done/ A production upgrade to TFS 2015 was completed smoothly for a customer with careful backups and preparation, despite some non-standard configurations. Key points include the need for sufficient disk space due to significant schema changes, ensuring all permissions and credentials are ready, and verifying backups before proceeding. With TFS 2010 support ending soon, managers should plan upgrades to TFS 2015 to benefit from new features and ongoing support. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/could-not-find-mappings-for-all-states-defined-in-'test-suit'-work-item-type/ Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:46:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/could-not-find-mappings-for-all-states-defined-in-'test-suit'-work-item-type/ After upgrading to TFS 2013.3, users may see errors related to state mappings in Test Suite work items, often due to case sensitivity issues in custom process templates, such as using “In process” instead of “In Process.” The problem can be fixed by correcting the state names to match the expected casing or by adding a custom process configuration override. This mainly affects older clients, so updating users to the latest version is also a recommended solution. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/install-of-tfs-2013-3-with-sharepoint-2013-on-windows-server-2012-r2-update-1/ Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:00:53 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/install-of-tfs-2013-3-with-sharepoint-2013-on-windows-server-2012-r2-update-1/ For a smooth TFS 2013.3 and SharePoint 2013 install on Windows Server 2012 R2, start with a clean, fully updated OS and avoid pre-installing SQL or TFS, as this often leads to extra rework. Key steps include using the advanced configuration for flexibility, ensuring all required service packs and features like full text search are present, and manually updating SharePoint to a supported version. To save time and avoid issues, always follow official documentation, use default options where possible, and rerun readiness checks after resolving errors. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-process-template-migration-script-updated/ Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:20:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-process-template-migration-script-updated/ Provides a step-by-step PowerShell script for migrating and updating TFS process templates, including customisations, work item types, categories, and configurations. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-release-management-server-for-tfs-2013/ Thu, 30 Jan 2014 11:30:07 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-release-management-server-for-tfs-2013/ Step-by-step guide to downloading, installing, and configuring Release Management Server for Team Foundation Server 2013, including offline setup and key configuration tips. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-the-tfs-2013-preview-to-tfs-2013-rc/ Mon, 09 Sep 2013 10:30:38 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-the-tfs-2013-preview-to-tfs-2013-rc/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading from TFS 2013 Preview to TFS 2013 RC, covering prerequisites, trial upgrades, installation, configuration, and best practices. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/issue-tfs-2013-you-get-tf400324-when-connecting-inrelease-to-tfs/ Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:02:46 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/issue-tfs-2013-you-get-tf400324-when-connecting-inrelease-to-tfs/ Explains how to resolve TF400324 errors when connecting InRelease 3 to TFS 2013, including correct URL usage and a supported PowerShell fix for collection paths. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-portfolio-backlog-hierarchy-in-team-foundation-server-2013/ Mon, 08 Jul 2013 21:35:24 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-portfolio-backlog-hierarchy-in-team-foundation-server-2013/ Learn how to customise Team Foundation Server 2013 to add a multi-level Portfolio Backlog hierarchy by editing work item types, categories, and process configuration. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-to-team-foundation-server-2013/ Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:35:10 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-to-team-foundation-server-2013/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading to Team Foundation Server 2013, including backup, installation, configuration, validation, and estimated upgrade times for various scenarios. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/issue-tfs-2012-2-detaching-collection-fails-on-snapshotidentities-with-object-reference-not-set-to-an-instance-of-an-object/ Mon, 24 Jun 2013 09:35:36 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/issue-tfs-2012-2-detaching-collection-fails-on-snapshotidentities-with-object-reference-not-set-to-an-instance-of-an-object/ Explains how detaching a Team Project Collection in TFS 2012.x can fail due to orphaned identities, causing a NullReferenceException, and outlines steps for diagnosis and support. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/restore-tfs-backups-from-sql-enterprise-to-sql-express/ Mon, 27 May 2013 08:52:27 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/restore-tfs-backups-from-sql-enterprise-to-sql-express/ Explains how to resolve errors when restoring TFS backups from SQL Enterprise to SQL Express by removing unsupported data compression features from the database. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/visual-studio-2012-update-2-supports-2010-build-servers/ Fri, 22 Mar 2013 02:02:39 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/visual-studio-2012-update-2-supports-2010-build-servers/ Explains how Visual Studio 2012 Update 2 and later let you use existing 2010 Build Servers with newer TFS, easing upgrades without workflow or OS changes. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-2012-update-1-tf255430-the-database-was-partially-upgraded-during-a-failed-upgrade/ Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:25:07 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-2012-update-1-tf255430-the-database-was-partially-upgraded-during-a-failed-upgrade/ Explains how to resolve Team Foundation Server 2012 upgrade failures caused by partial database upgrades, SQL connectivity issues, and Analysis Services errors. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-integration-tools-issue-tfs-wit-bypass-rule-submission-is-enabled/ Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:33:15 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-integration-tools-issue-tfs-wit-bypass-rule-submission-is-enabled/ Explains how to resolve TFS Integration Platform errors caused by missing permissions for bypass-rule submission by adding accounts to the Team Foundation Service Accounts group. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/ Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:30:18 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/ Step-by-step guide to installing and configuring TFS 2012 with Lab Management, including SQL Server, SCVMM integration, troubleshooting, and environment setup tips. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-7-%E2%80%93-rename-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Sat, 12 May 2012 00:25:23 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-7-%E2%80%93-rename-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading TFS process templates by renaming and importing work item types, preserving data, updating fields, categories, configs, and reports. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-3-destroy-all-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:42:04 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-3-destroy-all-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading a process template in TFS by deleting all existing work items, archiving queries and reports, and importing new template elements. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/do-you-know-how-to-move-the-team-foundation-server-cache/ Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:21:26 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/do-you-know-how-to-move-the-team-foundation-server-cache/ Learn how to safely move the Team Foundation Server cache to a new drive, update permissions, and configure web.config for better storage management and performance. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/what-to-do-after-a-servicing-fails-on-tfs-2010/ Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:10:46 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/what-to-do-after-a-servicing-fails-on-tfs-2010/ Guidance on troubleshooting failed servicing in TFS 2010, including schema version issues, recovery steps, and risks of database repair versus starting over. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/active-directory-groups-not-syncing-with-team-foundation-server-2010/ Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:02:11 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/active-directory-groups-not-syncing-with-team-foundation-server-2010/ Explains why Active Directory groups may not sync with Team Foundation Server 2010, how to diagnose sync issues, and steps to resolve identity synchronisation problems. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/changing-the-team-project-collection-of-the-team-build-controller/ Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:57:01 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/changing-the-team-project-collection-of-the-team-build-controller/ Explains how to reconfigure a Team Build Controller in TFS 2010 to connect to a different Team Project Collection using the Administration Console and Build Service settings. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-team-foundation-server-2008-to-2010/ Mon, 03 May 2010 13:04:01 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-team-foundation-server-2008-to-2010/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading Team Foundation Server 2008 to 2010, covering database backup, migration, verification, compatibility, and post-upgrade testing. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2010-rc-to-tfs-2010-rtm-done/ Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:39:40 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2010-rc-to-tfs-2010-rtm-done/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading from TFS 2010 RC to RTM, including backup, uninstall, install, configuration, SharePoint and build server updates, and post-upgrade testing. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2010-beta-2-to-tfs-2010-rc-done/ Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:55:34 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2010-beta-2-to-tfs-2010-rc-done/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading from TFS 2010 Beta 2 to TFS 2010 RC, including best practices, troubleshooting tips, and post-upgrade checks for developers. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-training-virtual-machines-in-azure/ Tue, 07 Oct 2014 15:06:37 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-training-virtual-machines-in-azure/ Setting up training environments for a technical course is much easier using Azure, though uploading large VHDs and configuring storage can be time-consuming and require troubleshooting. Once the VHD is uploaded and a template image is created, you can automate or manually create multiple VM instances with the right specs for your needs. Using Azure for training labs is cost-effective if you manage VM uptime carefully, and the process can be streamlined further with PowerShell automation if done regularly. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/sharepoint-2013-issue-after-migration-from-2010-user-permission-not-working/ Fri, 21 Jun 2013 08:45:22 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/sharepoint-2013-issue-after-migration-from-2010-user-permission-not-working/ After migrating from SharePoint 2010 to 2013, users may face permission and authentication issues due to changes in claims-based authentication settings. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-event-handler-prototype-configuration-demystified/ Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:05:37 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-event-handler-prototype-configuration-demystified/ Explains how to configure the TFS Event Handler Prototype, covering service setup, team server options, event subscriptions, handlers, and URL replacements. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-microsoft-teams-for-live-virtual-training/ Mon, 22 Jun 2020 16:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configuring-microsoft-teams-for-live-virtual-training/ To deliver effective live virtual training in Microsoft Teams, you need to set up Azure Active Directory, a Microsoft 365 subscription, and enable guest and external access for full collaboration features. Proper configuration allows both internal and external participants to access files, chat, and breakout rooms, and recent updates make guest authentication easier. Investing time in setup ensures a smoother, more professional experience for your training sessions, so plan and configure these elements before your first class. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-release-management-client-for-visual-studio-2013/ Fri, 10 Jan 2014 10:35:19 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-release-management-client-for-visual-studio-2013/ Step-by-step guide to downloading, installing, and configuring the Release Management Client for Visual Studio 2013, including setup tips and troubleshooting advice. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/system-configuration/ Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:08:13 +0100 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/system-configuration/ System Configuration encompasses the technical setup and optimisation of software, hardware, and systems to ensure efficient and reliable operation. It is essential in Agile and DevOps environments, where the need for speed, efficiency, and flexibility is critical. This process establishes a robust foundation for operational performance, allowing teams to deliver high-quality products in a predictable and sustainable manner. Central to System Configuration are tools that automate and manage the integration of system components, such as Ansible, Chef, Puppet, and Terraform, which facilitate infrastructure as code and ensure consistent configurations across various environments. By optimising hardware and software components to work seamlessly together, System Configuration minimises bottlenecks and supports continuous integration and continuous delivery by automating testing, deployment, and monitoring. Its importance lies in enhancing workflow efficiency, fostering collaboration among teams, and reducing time spent on manual tasks, thereby allowing teams to concentrate on innovation and value creation. Furthermore, effective System Configuration is crucial for scaling Agile practices within larger organisations, as it ensures that systems are properly configured from the beginning, leading to efficient scaling with minimal disruption. Ultimately, System Configuration provides the tools and processes necessary for organisations to improve performance, reduce operational overhead, and maintain adaptable and scalable systems in a rapidly evolving landscape. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/windows/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:17:24 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/windows/ Windows is the Microsoft operating system that serves as a foundational platform in organisational settings, enabling the installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of software applications and development tools. Its importance is underscored by its capacity to maintain productivity through consistent updates and security patches, which are vital for agile and DevOps methodologies. By standardising development environments, Windows reduces variability and complexity, thereby enhancing the predictability and sustainability of value delivery. This consistency promotes collaboration among cross-functional teams, as all members work within the same framework, which minimises integration challenges. Additionally, Windows supports automation in deployment and configuration processes, aligning with continuous delivery principles that facilitate rapid iterations and feedback loops. The operating system also integrates with essential tools and applications used in agile practices, such as Azure DevOps, empowering teams to optimise their workflows and respond effectively to evolving requirements and market dynamics. Ultimately, Windows provides a reliable foundation for software development and operational practices, contributing to the resilience and adaptability of organisations in an increasingly fast-paced digital environment. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/install-and-configuration/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:16:54 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/install-and-configuration/ Install and Configuration encompasses the critical processes necessary for setting up and optimising tools, software, and platforms that underpin agile, lean, and DevOps methodologies. Originating from the need to establish efficient operational frameworks, this concept is vital for ensuring that teams have the appropriate systems in place to enhance collaboration, communication, and the continuous delivery of value. By prioritising proper installation and configuration, organisations can significantly reduce disruptions and technical debt, enabling teams to focus on producing high-quality products. This proactive strategy not only facilitates predictable and sustainable value delivery but also supports the creation of well-configured environments that align with team workflows and methodologies. Furthermore, effective practices in installation and configuration lead to long-term systemic improvements, fostering adaptability to changing requirements and promoting continuous innovation. This approach transcends mere technical setup; it reflects a strategic mindset that aligns tools with organisational objectives, ultimately boosting overall performance and agility. The capacity to swiftly adjust systems in response to feedback and evolving needs is a defining characteristic of high-performing teams, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness in product development.