TFS/VSTS Build Infrastructure and Naming

Agents are grouped in pools - by default there are 2 pools:

• Default pool - general purpose, where custom agents are registered. 1 agent free per user.
• Hosted pool - provided by Microsoft.

Machines can host multiple agents. Pools are exposed to projects using Agent Queues.

Agents are cross-platform and can be configured.

Build Definitions are created in the VSTS web view and are assigned to agents:

1. Optionally select a build template to begin with (Visual Studio, Gradle, etc.)
2. Select the repository source to use
3. Select the agent pool to use
4. Add/configure build steps:
   1. Tasks such as installing packages with NuGet, building the solution, testing assemblies, copying files, running scripts, and publishing artifacts.

Configuring a Custom Agent Pool

VSTS Settings --> VSTS Root --> Agent pools -> Download agent

Open admin cmd/powershell, cd into agent dir, then:

config.cmd
# Enter server URL: https://$(username).visualstudio.com
# Enter authentication type: (use default PAT, can create from VSTS --> security)
# Enter personal access token: see above
# Register agent pool: (create from VSTS Agent Pools)
# Enter agent name
# Enter work folder
# Run as a service? (N, interactive)

Different Builds for Different Purposes

• CI Build (Continuous Integration)
  • Compile/test
• Nightly build (schedule)
  • Compile
  • Regression
  • Provisioning
  • Code Analysis
• Release build (manual)
  • Compile
  • Test
  • Regression
  • Configuration Management
  • Archive