#Azure Action – Weekly Newsletter – 10th December 2010

Local Overview

NICTA, ANU and CSIRO partner with Microsoft – Windows Azure

  Readiness & Resources

• Reading:

  • Observations from the Gartner data center conference

  “Yes, we’re using the public cloud but we’re in denial about it”.

  • Cute article series – 12 days of Azure - Day 12 - Windows Azure Platform

• Architecture:

  • Integrating SQL Azure with SharePoint 2010 and Windows Azure

• Book:

  • Cloud Computing with the Windows Azure Platform
  • Microsoft SQL Azure Enterprise Application Development Book & eBook

• Watching:

  • Windows Azure Security Essentials Video Series
  • Pat Filoteo and Fellow MVPs on App Fabric & more

• Case study:

  • Autoplaza: Classified Advertiser Reduces Costs and Boosts Website Performance with Cloud Storage

• Tools:

  • Windows Azure Toolbox
  • Telerik Data Services Wizard

• Walkthrough
  • Creating your own virtual machine on Azure- Introducing VM Role

In the news:

• How to Build ROI from Cloud Computing 

(nice summary of findings so far – seems to be a super set of previous article/thoughts)

• Moving more assets to the cloud may curb piracy 

• Cloud conjures up new IT roles; apps and business issues

(thought provoking role types and behaviours)

Events:

• Azure Training Workshop – Sydney - Tuesday, 14 December
• Windows Azure platform Acceleration Technical Training Tour – Sydney 27th/28th January

Community:

• Like Azure? …become a fan: www.facebook.com/windowsazure (Azure Facebook Toolkit)
• Want answers. See the forums

Guidance:

• Windows Azure: Running Multiple Threads on Windows Azure
• SQL Azure: Using the Database Manager from the Management Portal 1 week ago
• Security: Windows Azure Learning Plan – Security
• Windows Azure Connect: Step-by-step tutorial that walks through how to setup Windows Azure Connect
• Windows Azure Storage: Cloud Storage Strategy – How-Tos
• Windows Azure Storage: Pushing Content from SharePoint to Windows Azure Storage

Questions

This week some Q&A on Windows Azure Connect

Q: Is setting up Azure connect difficult?

A: No. Its as simple as updating your role, adding an agent on premise and updating the portal

https://techyfreak.blogspot.com/2010/11/guide-to-windows-azure-connect.html#configure-roles

Q: How do I domain join my role to Active Directory?

A: Follow the same simple setup instructions and add configure your network policy

https://techyfreak.blogspot.com/2010/11/active-directory-domain-join-of-azure.html

Q: How is Azure connect charged?

A: The pricing model hasn’t been decided. Windows Azure Connect - No charge during CTP

Q: How is Azure Connect transport secured?

A: Windows Azure Connect uses HTTPS, which uses port 443. IPv6 firewall rules need to be enabled

Q: I want it. How do I sign up?

A: You can register for the CTP here.

Q: I need to play with it to understand it. Where do I go to?

A: You can use the Hands on Labs “Connecting Apps with Windows Azure Connect”

Q: I have more questions. Where can I go?

A: Ask the local Windows Azure Australian team. In addition its worth checking the forums

Q: Can Azure Connect add SQL Azure on to on premise network.

A: No. It is more likely Azure Connect would be used to connect to an on premise SQL Server.