The first Test Lab Guide (TLG) for SharePoint Server 2010 is published!

I am proud to announce the publication of the first Test Lab Guide (TLG) for SharePoint Server 2010, titled Test Lab Guide: Configure SharePoint Server 2010 as a Single Server with Microsoft SQL Server. This document in the Microsoft Download Center describes how to install and configure SharePoint Server 2010 on a single server with Microsoft SLQ Server 2008 R2 using the computers in the Base Configuration test lab.

The following figure shows the resulting test lab configuration.

If you are relatively new to SharePoint, this TLG is for you. It takes you through a default installation of SharePoint Server 2010 on a single server that also has SQL Server 2008 R2 installed. There are step-by-step instructions for the following:

  1. Configuring the Base Configuration test lab (if you have not already done so)
  2. Installing SQL Server 2008 R2 on the APP1 server
  3. Installing SharePoint Server 2010 prerequisites on APP1.
  4. Installing SharePoint Server 2010 on APP1.
  5. Demonstrating the facilities of the default team site on APP1.

The resulting test lab is a place for you to begin learning more about SharePoint and how it can help your business.

The following figure shows the set of TLGs in the single-server SharePoint TLG stack.

Microsoft TLGs

Seeing a product or technology work in a TechEd session or TechNet Virtual Lab is fine, but nothing beats the understanding gained by building it out with your bare hands. TLGs allow you to experience the configuration and functionality of a Microsoft product or technology in a standardized and simplified test lab. TLGs are reusable, extensible, and stackable to configure complex scenarios and multi-product solutions that more closely align with what you actually do. Over 50 TLGs exist for Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server “8” Beta, Forefront products and technologies, System Center, and now SharePoint Server 2010.

TLGs are a key piece of our product evaluation content portfolio, which allow you to create a simplified working configuration and experience firsthand the infrastructure requirements, such as AD DS groups and accounts, DNS records, certificates, additional servers, etc. You can then save the functioning test lab environment for further customization and experimentation when learning about and evaluating a new technology, feature, product, or multi-feature or product solution.

For more information about the TLG initiative, see the following resources:

If you have a suggestion about a SharePoint Server 2010 TLG that we should be considering, let us know at tlgfb@microsoft.com.

To get started with SharePoint Server 2010, see the following:

Enjoy!

Joe Davies
Principal Writer
SharePoint Server Platforms and Infrastructure Writing Team