| Abstract: |
Undertaking complex development projects: those with multi-tier, service-oriented architectures, multiple databases (both spatial and non-spatial), and other heterogeneous systems, requires complex server environments, which can make it difficult and expensive to provision, maintain and tune. In addition, testing becomes more critical and more difficult. This presentation highlights the strategy and benefits of using server virtualization to improve configuration management efficiencies in development and testing activities on a large scale ArcGIS Server application. It also describes agile development and testing processes that improved project quality and delivery. The presentation describes and documents the implementation and benefits of using a virtualized server environment with agile techniques for efficiently developing and testing complex, web-based geospatial applications. Server virtualization, by its nature, provides a more agile capability. This case is from a real GIS application that occurred in 5 releases over two years and included two ArcGIS Server upgrades and multiple team members in a virtual team spanning 3 time zones. The server environment coupled with agile development and testing procedures enabled more stable delivery, improved quality, and reduced costs. Outline: 1. Introduction -- (see above) 2. Background and Technical overview 2.1 Virtualization software and software management (VMWare) 2.2 Terminal Services and Remote Desktop for development and test 2.3 Example Case - multi-platform system (Oracle, ESRI ArcGIS Server, Web Services, Microsoft IIS, Apache, and ASP.NET) 2.4 Configuration Management - SourceGear Vault, Visual Build Pro (nightly build) 2.5 Project History - adopting agile methods 3. Development and Test process 3.1 Adapting Agile practices for a virtual team in 3 timezones 3.2 Customer Buy-in using Function Previews 3.3 Testing and release management 4. Virtualization responds to the unexpected 4.1 Server configuration and alternative deployment scenarios 4.2 Technology upgrades during development lifecycle (AGS 9.2 SP2, AGS 9.2 SP4, AGS 9.3 SP1) 4.3 Dealing with virtual and real hardware issues -ArcGIS virtual licensing |