Thursday, April 28, 2011

Silverlight application deployment - Part 3

From the previous posts,these are the steps

1. Install prerequisites for deploying through TFS
2. Deploy the silverlight application
3. Configuring IIS
4. Database configuration

We'll cover

2. Deploy the silverlight application

a. Create Virtual Directory in IIS
b. Creating build definition in TFS for automated deployment
c. Trigger build deployment



a. Create virtual directory in IIS

1. Start->Run--> Type Inetmgr



2. Right click on default website-->New--> Virtual Directory



3. The Virtual Directory wizard opens. Click ‘Next’



4. Enter the name of the virtual directory. - Project1. Notice that this should correspond to the Virtual directory path you mention above in the build arguments. ie. Default Web Site\Project1



5. Click “Next” and enter the path of the content directory. This is the folder where the actual files will be stored.



6. Click “Next” and give "Read" and "Run Scripts" permissions. Click Next to finish.



b. Creating build definition in TFS for automated deployment

Before triggering deployment, we need to create a build definition in TFS which contains the application path and other required parameters which will be used to do deployment. Some of the parameters are, the path in IIS where the application should be deployed. The login credentials of the remote machine and so on.

Steps:

Open Visual Studio


Connect to Team Foundation Server --> to the project
Click on New build definition


Enter any name for the build definition


Select the trigger options. (information regarding, When you want the build to be deployed)


Select the build controller. This should be installed when setting up TFS. Also specify the location where the build should be copied to.


Enter the path of the solution file


In the advanced tab, Enter the MSbuildArguments
The mandatory arguments are follows

/p:DeployOnBuild=True /p:DeployTarget=MsDeployPublish /p:MsDeployPublishMethod=RemoteAgent /p:MsDeployServiceUrl=http://10.13.13.11 /p:DeployIISAppPath="Default Web Site/Project1" /p:username=webdeploy /p:password=pass38930!

p:MsDeployServiceUrl denotes the remote machine ip
p:username and password are the login for webdeploy account
p:DeployIISAppPath is the path in IIS where you want the Virtual Directory to be created.


Save the build definition.

c. Trigger build deployment

Right click on builds --> queue new build and select the build definition you created

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Silverlight application deployment - Part 2

From the previous post, these are the major steps.

1. Install prerequisites for deploying through TFS
2. Deploy the silverlight application
3. Configuring IIS
4. Database configuration


In this post, We'll cover
1. Install prerequisites for deploying through TFS

Silverlight deployment to a remote machine can be done in many ways. In this guide, we assume that the code is available in Team foundation server, and you want to deploy it to a remote machine.

(Note: If you do not use Team foundation server, you can open your silverlight project and directly publish it to the remote machine.)

In order to deploy the code from the Team foundation server, to the remote machine, An IIS extension called "Web deployment tool" should be installed on the remote machine(where you want to install the app). When you install this, the Remote Agent Service also should be installed. Ensure that you select it, while installing. The Remote Agent service communicates with Team Foundation Server and deploys the application.

a. Create Webdeploy account
b. Install Remote Agent Service
c. Start Remote Agent Service


a. Create Webdeploy account

Go to control panel-->Administrative Tools --> Computer Management
Right Click to Create a User


Add the user to the list of remote desktop users.


This user account is to be used when creating the build definition and giving the credentials for automated deployment.

b. Install Remote Agent Service

If you already have installed IIS on the remote machine, check the control panel to see if Web deployment tool is available. If it is available, Click Change/Repair and install the Remote Agent Service.

If not Download Webdeploy and install it.






c. Start Remote Agent Service

To start the Web Deployment Agent Service, click Start --> Control Panel, Administrative Tools--> Services.

Find Web Deployment Agent Service. If it is not started, right-click it and select ‘Start’. You can also set the startup type ‘Automatic’


..continued on Part 3

Monday, April 25, 2011

PMP - learning for the exam

I suggest doing an online course which will help you get the required PM education hours. It will give you an idea of the course material before applying for PMP. There are many sellers online, with a lot of claims. Select the one that suits you. I did the course online with pmtrainingonline


It was good..narration and pictures with tests and excercises and learning aids..289 USD for the online course.. - 56 hours of learning + a practise exam.

The book HeadFirst PMP is a great book for PMP..it keeps you awake and interested. - my favourite. They also have a full lesson and a full 200 question exam (with answers) for anyone to download!!

You can also read through Rita's PMP prep guide. Its a widely used book. The process chart is quite useful and its good to memorise it for the exam.

The inputs tools and techniques of each process is a must-know item. You dont have to memorise all of them. If you can..definitely go ahead..If not..try to remember what you can.

Apart from that you need to be familiar with formulae and definitions of terms which could appear on the exam. This is a good one.

Take some 4-5 free practise tests online...and review the answers.

http://www.pmstudy.com/PMP-Exam-Resources/freeSimulatedTest.asp
http://www.examcentral.net/pmp/members

free flash cards

PMP first steps

Me: I want to become PMP certified!!
PMPbug: Oh I see..that's great..ok..go ahead!
Me: Where do I start?
PMPbug: Of course, at the PMI website, There is a pdf file which goes through the entire process...
Me: Can I have something simple...like a flowchart or an algorithm..
PMPbug: Here's the flowchart..but first register and create an account in the PMI site..