Modular Test Lab Guides (TLGs) describe how to set up and demonstrate a features, technology, product, or end-to-end solution for either a base configuration test lab or a test lab based on an existing modular TLG. Modular TLGs are a content type in the Test Lab Guides content set. You can create your own modular TLG and publish it in the TechNet Wiki, the TechNet Gallery, or in your own publication venue.

This article describes the process for creating and publishing a modular TLG.

End-to-end process for creating and publishing a modular TLG

  1. Determine if the type of TLG content you want to publish is a modular TLG, a test lab extension, or a TLG mini-module. See Wiki: Creating and Publishing Test Lab Guide Content for more information on these TLG content types.
  2. If a modular TLG is the right type of content, determine the starting test lab configuration. For example, are you starting with the Windows Server 2012 base configuration or with a product or feature already configured? A starting test lab configuration will correspond to either a base configuration TLG or some other existing TLG. You will need to reference these TLGs in your modular TLG instructions.
  3. Outline the steps and procedures in your modular TLG to configure and then demonstrate the desired feature, technology, product, or end-to-end solution.
  4. Build out the starting configuration test lab, using the appropriate set of TLGs, and then snapshot this configuration.
  5. Begin constructing your modular TLG. For a TechNet Wiki-based modular TLG, use the Wiki: Modular Test Lab Guide Template as a starting point. For a whitepaper-based modular TLG, see the ModularTLGTemplate.DOCX file in the Test Lab Guide (TLG) Content Creation Kit. If you use these templates, your modular TLG will have the same structure and boilerplate text as other TLGs, allowing the readers of your modular TLG to more quickly configure your test lab.
  6. Configure the test lab for the desired feature, technology, product, or end-to-end solution and demonstrate its functionality, documenting your steps and procedures as you go.
  7. When complete, restore the snapshots from step 4 and follow your documented steps to ensure that it works, refining your steps and procedures as needed. Repeat this step until your instructions and the desired test lab configuration results are solid and reproducible. If possible, hand your instructions to another person to follow and see if they are also successful.
  8. Add a TLG stack diagram to your modular TLG. This will show the set of TLGs that are needed and their order, with your new modular TLG at the top of the stack. For more information, see Wiki: Creating a TLG stack diagram.
  9. Add a TLG lab diagram to your modular TLG. This will show the set of computers and their connections to the test lab network. For more information, see Wiki: Creating a TLG lab diagram.
  10. Add helpful links to your modular TLG. Examples include links to evaluation versions of software, product or feature overview information, where to go to get help (such as online forums), and where to get information on additional or related TLG content (such as a TLG portal page).
  11. Publish your modular TLG. You can publish this in the TechNet Wiki (web article), the TechNet Gallery (white paper format), or in your own publication venue.
  12. Add a link to your modular TLG to the main Test Lab Guides portal page.
  13. Send a quick email to tlgfb@microsoft.com so that your new modular TLG can be announced in the Test Lab Guides blog.
  14. Advertise your new creation in your social media outlets.

Examples:

For more information, see Wiki: Creating and publishing Test Lab Guide content.