options (sync/bridge/etc) for using/testing TFS11 local workspaces with a TFS2010 server?

Question

Is there any option (not necessarily in-the-box) for teams that want/need to keep their 'main' TFS as 2010 SP1 but want to test out the local workspaces in TFS11?   I'm assuming it's a feature that needs server support so a TFS 11 Beta client can't use local workspaces with a TFS 2010 SP1 server.

While a 2-way sync between TFS 2010 SP1 and TFS 11 Beta would be ideal (at least in terms of syncing the version control, even if it couldn't sync work items et al), I would imagine that doesn't exist (although I'd be happy to find out otherwise! :)

This leaves either doing syncs manually or going through an intermediate (for instance, like using git-tfs between both) AFAICT?  Could also hook up to the checkin event programmatically?

Is anyone already doing this?

Answer 1

Hi James,

The feature does require server support. You can use the TFS Integration Platform to do a TFS-TFS sync if you want to keep a TFS 2010 SP1 and TFS 11 Beta server in sync.

Take a look at Willy's blog post here to get started: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/willy-peter_schaub/archive/2011/06/06/toc-tfs-integration-tools.aspx

Answer 2

Hi James,

You will need tfs 11 to work with local workspaces. In the below screen shot you can see some of the changes made to the tbl_workspace to accommodate local workspaces. 

A few changes have gone in to the tbl_Workspace, you can now see the IsLocal check and also a FileTime flag to validate whether the file time will be check-in or current

  

For a comprehensive list of database changes between tfs 2010 and tfs 2011 have a look at this blogpost - http://geekswithblogs.net/TarunArora/archive/2011/09/19/database-changes-between-tfs-2010-and-tfs-2011.aspx 

*** Important Note: Any direct interaction (including select statements) against the TFS operational databases is strongly discouraged by the Product Team. All such interactions should be done through the TFS SDK. The post below has been compiled by exploring a back up – restore copy of the operation databases on an inactive server. ***

If you just wanted to try out local workspaces feature why not download the fully set up vs 11 virtual machine and try out the feature. You can download the virtual machine here. http://blogs.msdn.com/b/briankel/archive/2012/02/29/visual-studio-11-alm-virtual-machine-and-hands-on-labs-demo-scripts-updated-for-beta.aspx

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