DeveloperVirtualMachine - TridionPractice/tridion-practice GitHub Wiki
SDL Tridion practitioners ("Tridionauts") typically need development machines and environments.
See the SDL Tridion 2013 TridionWorld guide for Creating a Development VM or the 2011 version. Then get community feedback, recommendations, and practices on setting up and maintaining a VM for learning and development below.
Consider using or contributing to the Kickstart Tridion Environment to accelerate your setup (classic diamond BluePrint and example content in 5 minutes after install!).
See SDLTridionWorld for a post on VMs related to this topic.
Typical practices (these are just suggested guidelines--adjust to meet your needs and feel free to comment below!):
- Make a version or two. Keep one or two of the latest CMS versions (e.g. SDL Tridion 2013 GA and SDL Tridion 2011 SP1-HR1).
- Create all-in-one boxes.
- Simplify publishing. Use HTTP for publishing to allow different configurations on the same machine.
- Add more VMs as needed. Create a separate VM for Linux-based content delivery, otherwise use the same Windows-based machine.
- Take care with your sandbox. Be wary of any pre-release or demo Tridion software--an upgrade path is not guaranteed.
- Save time. Create a "baseline" VM with your preferred OS, IDEs, and database before installing the parts that vary (different CMS versions).
- Automate. Use scripts to restart after configuration changes.
Space is a premium on such a VM. Here are some tips:
- You can safely delete the temporary files in C:\ProgramData\SDL\Upload.
- Look out for Windows Error Reporting logs, even if turned off, Windows may still collect dump files.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tridion Version | SDL Tridion 2013 (GA, when ready) |
| Modules and Extensions | Content Management, Templating, Extensions, and Content Delivery |
| Publishing | HTTP |
| IDEs | Visual Studio 2012, Eclipse, Notepad++ or Notepad2, XMLSpy |
| Server |
|
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tridion Version | SDL Tridion 2011 SP1-HR1 |
| Modules and Extensions | Content Management, Templating, Extensions, and Content Delivery |
| Publishing | HTTP |
| IDEs | Visual Studio 2010, Eclipse, Notepad++ or Notepad2, XMLSpy |
Other tips (fron Nuno Linhares, Robert Curlette, and Elena Serghie):
- You can share a VM disk (.vmdk) across VM's but not concurrently. Either avoid placing it on a removable drive (or never remove it while in use to avoid corrupted data).
- Re-use the same CM and CD licenses by pointing configs to a shared location.
- Run exec sp_updatestats on Tridion database about monthly.
- Set the VM up with enough RAM (3GB min ~2012) for the OS, Tridion, IDEs (Visual Studio, Eclipse), web server, and SQL Server Management Studio.
- Clean-up tips for Windows (7, but most apply to Windows Servers)
- If using ExperienceManager (SiteEdit), you'll need two sets of deployers, brokers, websites, and other extensions (thanks, Elena).
- Third-party integrations may be out of scope--consider ways to fake or otherwise integrate this data
- Powerdown the VM before adding hardware
- Solidstate Drives (SSD) help
- Enable WebDAV on the server with Server Manager > Features Summary > Desktop Experience (WebDAV is enabled for Tridion by default)
- VM on a cloud instance may help a distributed team and for training
- Remote desktop: Windows shortcuts work differently between VMWare and Remote Desktop. If you see only see the Visio plugin in what should be %TRIDION_HOME%, you're likely looking at your host computer (i.e. Windows + E works with VMWare Player only)
- Copy and Paste problems with VMWare?
- Finally, a VM != Source Control. You can back up the entire instance, but this is not the same as using a source code version control system, backing up the database, or saving a Content Port.
- Get and Install VMWare Player or skip the software and consider the (Amazon's) cloud.
- Get ready with Prerequisites for SDL Tridion 2011 SP1
- Get your OS, IDE, and Database software by visiting MSDN's Licenses and Downloads, Biz Spark for businesses, or Dreamspark if you happen to be a student with a Tridion license
- Check dll versions using Assembly Information
The most frequent question about Tridion test VM's seem to be how to get a demo or a license.
- Getting started with SDL Tridion? (closed on StackOverflow)
- Can I get SDL Tridion Virtual Machine for my own purpose without license cost?
Get started purchasing it, joining a company that uses it, or winning an SDL Tridion MVP award.
- Chris Summers blogged on the Fifth Tridion Environment
- Alvin Reyes described how to started with SDL Tridion
Comments, questions, and feedback welcome below.