Azure DevOps Server: Setup, Migration, and Best Practices

In today’s fast paced world, organizations need different software to meet their minor to major requirements. From internal collaborations to client communication they need automated tools. The digital ecosystem has increased the high demand of software development needs, in order to meet all the development needs now IT companies have integrated DevOps solutions. Presently,  Azure DevOps Services (cloud) and Azure DevOps Server (on-premises) are in high buzz for the enterprise grade solutions. 

In order to leverage their benefits, let us understand more about these software.

Brief overview of Azure DevOps and Azure DevOps Server

• Know about  Azure DevOps

Azure DevOps is a popular Microsoft all in one platform for software development lifecycle. It plays an important role from planning, coding to deployment and testing. This popular tool is majorly used for version control, CI/CD pipelines, and project tracking. Hence, Azure DevOps is known as the unified platform for developers.

• Know about  Azure DevOps Server

Azure DevOps Server is known as an enterprise grade platform among the IT industry. It allows developers to plan, develop, deliver, and maintain software lifecycles. The Azure DevOps can be considered as the centralised hub for managing source code, creating pipelines, test management, and deployment workflows.

Difference between Azure DevOps Services (cloud) and Azure DevOps Server (on-premises)

There is no major difference in core functionalities between Azure DevOps Services (cloud) and Azure DevOps Server (on-premises). Both technologies allow teams to plan, develop, and test applications. But, they both differ in terms of maintenance, control, and deployment processes.

Know  Azure DevOps Services (cloud) V/S Azure DevOps Server (on-premises)

Aspect	Azure DevOps Services (Cloud)	Azure DevOps Server (On-Premises)
Deployment Model	Hosted and managed by Microsoft in Cloud only	Installed and managed by organisation team members
Maintenance and Updates	Microsoft itself manages updates patches, and new functionalities	The administration department manages installation and upgrades
Data Storage	Full data is stored in Microsoft global data centre	Data stored in company’s data centre or private cloud
Integration	Easily integrate with Azure cloud services and Github	Supports internal tools such as Sharepoint and SQL server
Mainly used by	People who prefer minimal maintenance, global access, and opt for automatic updates	Companies who prefer full control on customisation process, managing data, and supports different compliance
Cost	Subscription based ( per user per month)	Supports internal tools such as SharePoint and SQL server

Quick summary of what the blog covers: setup → migration → best practices

In this blog, we are going to cover Azure DevOps Server setup, migration process, and best practices that help you to understand about this platform more deeply.

But before the Azure DevOps Server setup, let’s understand actually what is Azure DevOps Server and its key functionalities.

What is Azure DevOps Server?

According to the official Microsoft Azure website, “ The tools are designed to share codes, track work, and ship software by utilizing integrated software delivery tools, hosted on premises.”

Furthermore, the Azure DevOps server was known as Team Foundation Server (TFS). The best part is it is an all-in-one, comprehensive tool that supports the entire software development cycle. It supports project planning, source control to CI/CD automation and testing procedures. 

The main aim is to create this platform for developers to provide a secure, integrated, and customizable environment for the DevOps ecosystem. Hence, it is best for the enterprises or organisations that need full control over data, compliance, and ecosystem. With Azure DevOps server the team can leverage the benefits of modern DevOps infrastructure.

Key features and components:

• Azure Repos

Azure Repos refers to a source code management system that provides both Git repositories and team foundation version control. This feature allows coders to track modifications, can collaborate on code, and maintain a history that allows them to overview all changes.

• Azure Pipelines

Azure Pipelines refers to a continuous integration and continuous delivery services. It is supported by Microsoft Azure DevOps. This feature supports the process of automation to build, test, and deploy apps to any platforms that also include Windows, Linux, and macOS. Additionally, it also supports Cloud based services such as Azure, AWS, and GCP.

Moreover, Azure Pipelines also supports multiple languages, frameworks, and tools including .NET, Java, PHP, C++, and GO that make the processes more flexible and powerful. Along with this, that will meet modern software development needs.

• Azure Boards

Azure Boards is for all size types or projects. It is known as a work tracking or project management tool. It is integrated within Azure DevOps.  Hence, it allows developers to plan, track, and discuss workflow to streamline the development process and maintain transparency in the entire software development cycle.

Azure Board is helpful for developers from ideation to deployment process that is utilized by agile tools such as Kanban boards, scrum boards, backlogs, dashboards, and tracking process.

• Azure Test Plans

Now, Azure Test Plans is all in one comprehensive testing and quality management tool that is integrated in Azure DevOps. It helps the team to plan, track, and execute manual to automated tasks. This excludes all repetitive tasks and reduces risks of missing out on any tasks. Hence, software offers high performance and reliability.

Moreover, Azure Test Plans offer risk capabilities for manual and continuous testing processes. The integration of devOps tools makes the testing process easier and faster for testers. With Azure test plans developers offer high quality applications in the market.

• Azure Artifacts

Next, this is a full package management solution within Azure DevOps that allows teams to create, host, and even share packages such as libraries, dependencies, and create artifacts. Azure Artifacts supports popular package types – NuGet, npm, Maven, Python, and Universal Packages. Azure Artifacts offers a unified system to manage dependencies via CI/CD pipelines.

How does it integrate with existing Microsoft tools (e.g., Visual Studio, Active Directory, SQL Server)?

• Integration with Visual Studio

– Developers can connect Visual studio directly to Azure DevOps that helps to manage code and work processes.. – 

– Developers should open Visual Studio – Go to team explorer (View – team explorer)

– Click connect – manage connections – connect to a project. 

– Sign in with Azure Active Directory or you can also sign in with a Microsoft account.

• Integration with Azure Active Directory (AAD)

– Sign in to Azure Portal but make sure to have all admin access before signing in. 

– Sign up for Azure DevOps 

– Add Azure DevOps in enterprise app 

– Assign group or individuals 

– Link to Azure DevOps

• Integration with SQL Server

– To do this integration, you need to install and configure Microsoft SQL server on your server. 

– Meanwhile, choose an existing SQL server 

– Enter the SQL server set and choose existing SQL server 

– Enter SQR server set up

– Verify the integration in Azure DevOps from administration console

Prerequisites Before Setup

For Azure DevOps Server setup, some things you should have in prior without that you can’t set so, you are we listing that things need to include –

• System requirements (hardware, OS, SQL Server version, etc.)

For system requirements, you would need – 

Hardware: Minimum 2-core CPU, 8 GB RAM (16+ GB recommended), and 100 GB free disk space.

Operating System: Windows Server 2019 or later (64-bit). SQL Server: SQL Server 2019 or later, Standard or Enterprise edition.

• Licensing and editions overview

– Azure DevOps Server Editions are available in Express (free, limited users) and Full editions.

– Requires Client Access Licenses (CALs).

– For the Integration with Azure DevOps Services, customers would need subscription or license.

• Network and security prerequisites

– Configure firewall and ports (default HTTP: 8080, HTTPS: 443).

– Ensure Active Directory and DNS are properly configured.

– For secure communication it requires  SSL/TLS certificates.

• Preparing your team and environment

– Prepare your team with proper training.

– Assign roles and responsibilities to everyone including admin, developers, and testers.

– Always back up your data with your IT team.

Step-by-Step: Azure DevOps Server Setup Guide

• Download and Installation

– The foremost step is to download the installer from Microsoft’s official website  to get access to the latest Azure DevOps server set up file. 

– After downloading run installation for the set up 

– Select functionalities and the wizards will automatically include required components that can process with defaults for custom set up. 

– As soon as installation is done click configure to set up wizards.

• Configuration Wizard

– Now, it’s time to connect with SQL Server that allows you to store Azure DevOps configuration and database collection. 

– To set up a service account provide service account or utilise in built system accounts to run Azure DevOps services. 

– Configure application and data by defining apps in terms of URL, ports, and database connections. 

– Set up SMTP and Authentication by adding your SMTP server details that allow you to get notifications and configure authentication also.

• Post-installation Setup

– From the admin console start creating your first project that will allow you to host several projects. 

– Add users and provide  permissions to your team members as per their assigned roles.

– Connect to Azure Repos and Pipelines that will allow you to manage different codes via Azure Repos for automation.

Migrating from TFS or Older Azure DevOps Versions

Why should you  Migrate from TFS or older Azure DevOps versions

The best decision you can make is to migrate from Team Foundation Server (TFS) or older versions to Azure DevOps Server that leads to improved performance, make it more secure, and provide access to new DevOps functionalities to the developers. Hence, developers can utilize advanced pipelines, next generation UI, and better security.

The Azure DevOps Server migration process helps to improve collaboration with multiple Azure services. Allow to leverage third party platforms as it allows integration with Git and third party tools. Moreover, From TFS to Azure DevOps migration streamline both development and delivery processes.

Migration Planning Checklist

• Assess current TFS version

Before the migration process, identify your existing TFS or Azure DevOps version and have an idea about all your connected services, extensions, and third party integration platforms.

• Backup and test environments

Before migration, have your full database and configuration back up. Set up a proper error free migration so that you can’t lose any of your data.

• Compatibility check

Always check compatibility and review all Microsoft compatibility matrices with your systems that ensure all your SQL server, OS, and service accounts to meet the requirements that version needs.

Migration Process

• Database import method (for TFS → Azure DevOps Server)

– Firstly, acquire all your backup data from the TFS  database.

– Install Azure DevOps server on which you want to install the platform on 

– Opt for the Azure DevOps server configuration wizard that ensures to import databases from TFS backup. 

– Wizard upgrades the schema automatically to match the latest version.

• Upgrading directly vs side-by-side migration

– Opt for the direct upgrade that allows it to perform on the same server when hardware and OS versions both are compatible. 

– In side-by-side migration, users need to set up a new server environment that will restore TFS databases, and then configure Azure DevOps server that is ideal for minimizing downtime and providing a safe ecosystem.

• Verifying post-migration setup

– After all this process, launch your Azure devOps administration console that will confirm all services are running.

– Verify project collections, users, and permissions that you have transferred during the migration process that is supported.

– Test different pipelines, repositories, and work items to make sure that functionalities are aligned in an appropriate manner.

– Review event logs and check connectivity from Visual Studio or web portal.

Common Migration Challenges & Fixes

• Authentication issues

Challenge– Majorly in the migration process, you can face an incorrect or outdated active directory mapping after transferring data from one place to another.

Solution –  In this developers should reconnect Azure DevOps server to Azure active directory (AAD) or they can update user identities by using the TFSConfig Identities command.

• Database schema mismatch

Challenge – Restoring databases from an older TFS version that might not support the new updated version.

Solution – Run the configuration wizard to update database schemas automatically or always update your SAQ server before re importing.

• Permissions and access errors

Challenge –  broken user group assignments after post-migration.

Solution –  Reassign roles and permissions manually in project collection, administration group that will help in verifying security settings.

Integrating Azure DevOps Server with Other Tools

• Integration with GitHub, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes

By connecting Github repositories directly with Azure pipelines it automates process and release workflow.

Jenkins are used to trigger Azure DevOps deployments.

With Docker containersized develop and link Kubernetes clusters for continuous deployment by utilising service connections.

• Connecting with Microsoft Teams and Slack for Collaboration

By adding Auzure based DevOps apps to Microsoft office infrastructure such as Teams or Slack, it allows users to receive real time updates on work items and create specific status.

With commands and cards developers can create or update tasks directly from chat only.

Hence, integration improves the communication process and helps to maintain transparency across the development teams. 

• Using REST APIs and Extensions for Automation

Azure DevOps provides all in one REST API to automate different tasks such as project creation, pipeline runs, and report generation. Hence, developers can install or even build custom extensions via Azure DevOps marketplace. Along with this, coders can also add specific functionalities by integrating third party tools.

Azure DevOps Server Best Practices

Here are the best practices that developers should opt for in Azure DevOps Server setup process-

Security and Access Management

• Use Azure AD integration
  Simply connect Azure DevOps server with Azure active directory that centralizes user authentication.
• Apply Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)-  This process simplifies the access control process. 
• Enable Multi Factor Authentication – Apply role based access control and always turn on multi factor authentication.

Performance Optimization

• Database maintenance routines – Make a routine to constantly check index rebuild, statistics updates in SQL server to improve performance.
  
• Regular backups and monitoring – Take constant back ups on a daily basis and with modern tools modernise all the proceedings that will help.
  
• Using distributed build agents – With DevOps pipelines build and deploy tasks that reduce resource utilisation and supports scaling of CI/CD workflows across several environments.

Conclusion

Azure DevOps is a continuously powerful and reliable platform that controls all development platforms. With Azure DevOps streamline and automate your process in an accurate manner. This allows them to build, test, and deliver high quality solutions in the market. Azure DevOps implantation is ideal for migration as well as if you are building solutions for the first time it is an ideal solution. Azure DevOps can integrate easily with modern tools such as GitHub, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Microsoft Teams, and more.

So it offers secure strong security, regular backups, and continuous performance optimisation. It also accelerates the delivery process.Still if you need any help or want to utilise this platform – take consultation with top experts now.