Archives For iaas

Windows Azure IaaS Bootcamp in Cincinnati, OH

March 5, 2013

(Pssst…If you still haven’t tried Windows Azure what are you waiting for? Let me give you some encouragement. How about 90 days for free on me. Just go here to learn more.)

If you live in or around Cincinnati I invite you to attend next week’s Windows Azure IaaS Bootcamp. If you aren’t close to Cincinnati find a location closer to you here.

Whether you build apps or support the infrastructure that runs the apps, the cloud can be a really big place. For some, it’s a natural evolution for their application and infrastructure to embrace the power and scale of the cloud. For others, it’s a journey that has to begin with a single step.

Windows Azure provides that first step with a scalable, flexible platform for deploying your applications your way. With our Infrastructure as a Service platform (IaaS) called Windows Azure Virtual Machines, you get the flexibility to choose between Windows and Linux with full control over the operating system configuration and installed software, matched with the portability of Hyper-V disk images. Windows Azure Virtual Machines provide the perfect environment for meeting all of your Infrastructure-as-a-Service needs.

To learn more about our Infrastructure as a Service platform, we invite all developers and IT Professionals to join local Microsoft cloud experts as they introduce you to the Microsoft Cloud Platform, dive deep into Windows Azure Virtual Machines, and help walk you through a hands-on demonstration of the power of IaaS on the Windows Azure platform.

You can register for the event here.

Session Requirements

Be sure to bring a modern laptop that is capable of running the following to make the most of your time at the Bootcamp:

The lab portion of this exercise will require you to connect to the Windows Azure Portal via a modern web browser where you will provision three separate virtual machines in the cloud and configure them each via a Remote Desktop client connection. The lab materials are all online, so no special software is required to install or use them.

If you want to work on other labs while you’re here, you might also want to install the various tools and frameworks that are part of the Windows Azure SDK. Check out various downloads here. Installers are available on that site for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. Details on system requirements for those SDKs can be found by following that link.

All participants registering for the event will get a FREE 90-day trial of the Windows Azure platform and services, including access to the Virtual Machines preview.

All participants that successfully complete the lab and demonstrate their running application to the instructor will be put into a drawing for some amazing prizes!

Seriously? You still haven’t tried Windows Azure? No worries, I can help you with that! For a free 90 day trial just go here.

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Announcing the Windows Azure Hub on Channel 9

March 1, 2013

This may have flown under your radar, but several weeks ago we (that’s the royal Microsoft WE) launched a new hub for Windows Azure on Channel 9. This hub serves as an index and entry point for all video content related to Windows Azure. Since the launch we have already made progress on building a video library to help developers get started learning Windows Azure. Introduction videos have been created for core services like Mobile Services, Web Sites, Cloud Services, and SQL Databases. This page also features three video series: Cloud Cover, Web Camps TV, and Subscribe!. Finally, this page highlights videos that have been recorded at events like BUILD and TechEd. I encourage you to check it out at http://channel9.msdn.com/WindowsAzure.

I think the introduction video series we created will be the most beneficial to you, especially if you’re new to Windows Azure. Below is a description of each series as well as direct links to each series.

Windows Azure Mobile Services Windows Azure Mobile Services
(14 videos)
This series is designed to help you learn about, and keep you up to date on, the latest from Windows Azure Mobile Services – a powerful turnkey backed for your Windows Store, Windows Phone 8 and iOS applications (Android coming soon).
Windows Azure Web Sites Windows Azure Web Sites
(4 videos)
Quickly and easily deploy sites to a highly scalable cloud environment that allows you to start small and scale as traffic grows. Use the languages and open source apps of your choice then deploy with FTP, Git and TFS. Easily integrate Windows Azure services like SQL Database, Caching, CDN and Storage. You can try out what you see in this series with 10 Web Sites for FREE!
Windows Azure Virtual Machines & Networking Windows Azure Virtual Machines & Networking
(4 videos)
Easily deploy and run Windows Server and Linux virtual machines. Migrate applications and infrastructure without changing existing code.
Windows Azure Storage & SQL Database Windows Azure Storage & SQL Database
(9 videos)
Windows Azure offers multiple services to help manage your data in the cloud. SQL Database, formerly known as SQL Azure Database, enables organizations to rapidly create, scale and extend applications into the cloud with familiar tools and the power of Microsoft SQL Server™ technology. Tables offer NoSQL capabilities at a low cost for applications with simple data access needs. Blobs provide inexpensive storage for data such as video, audio, and images.
Windows Azure Cloud Services Windows Azure Cloud Services
(8 videos)
This series is a mini online course that teaches you Windows Azure Cloud Services from beginning. We’ll start our cloud journey by setting up development environment, and then continue to explore some fundamental concepts of Windows Azure Cloud Services. The series builds a solid foundation for you to create highly-available, scalable applications and services using Windows Azure’s rich PaaS environment, and to deliver great SaaS solutions to customers anywhere around the world.
Windows Azure Media Services Windows Azure Media Services
(3 videos)
Create, manage, and distribute media in the cloud. With Windows Azure Media Services businesses can now quickly build a media distribution solution that can stream audio and video to Windows, iOS, Android, and other devices and platforms.
Windows Azure Service Bus Windows Azure Service Bus
(2 videos)
Applications and Services are increasingly connected and require integration across platform and network boundaries. Windows Azure Service Bus provides rich messaging and connectivity features for todays connected devices and continuous services. In this series learn about the latest improvements and features available and get in-depth guidance on how to implement rich messaging patterns with Windows Azure.

Be sure to stay tuned to the Windows Azure Hub on Channel 9 for new content!

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Windows Azure IaaS Bootcamp in Indianapolis, IN

February 27, 2013

(Pssst…If you still haven’t tried Windows Azure what are you waiting for? Let me give you some encouragement. How about 90 days for free on me. Just go here to learn more.)

If you live in or around Indianapolis, IN I invite you to attend next week’s Windows Azure IaaS Bootcamp. If you aren’t close to Indianapolis find a location closer to you here.

Whether you build apps or support the infrastructure that runs the apps, the cloud can be a really big place. For some, it’s a natural evolution for their application and infrastructure to embrace the power and scale of the cloud. For others, it’s a journey that has to begin with a single step.

Windows Azure provides that first step with a scalable, flexible platform for deploying your applications your way. With our Infrastructure as a Service platform (IaaS) called Windows Azure Virtual Machines, you get the flexibility to choose between Windows and Linux with full control over the operating system configuration and installed software, matched with the portability of Hyper-V disk images. Windows Azure Virtual Machines provide the perfect environment for meeting all of your Infrastructure-as-a-Service needs.

To learn more about our Infrastructure as a Service platform, we invite all developers and IT Professionals to join local Microsoft cloud experts as they introduce you to the Microsoft Cloud Platform, dive deep into Windows Azure Virtual Machines, and help walk you through a hands-on demonstration of the power of IaaS on the Windows Azure platform.

You can register for the event here.

Session Requirements

Be sure to bring a modern laptop that is capable of running the following to make the most of your time at the Bootcamp:

The lab portion of this exercise will require you to connect to the Windows Azure Portal via a modern web browser where you will provision three separate virtual machines in the cloud and configure them each via a Remote Desktop client connection. The lab materials are all online, so no special software is required to install or use them.

If you want to work on other labs while you’re here, you might also want to install the various tools and frameworks that are part of the Windows Azure SDK. Check out various downloads here. Installers are available on that site for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. Details on system requirements for those SDKs can be found by following that link.

All participants registering for the event will get a FREE 90-day trial of the Windows Azure platform and services, including access to the Virtual Machines preview.

All participants that successfully complete the lab and demonstrate their running application to the instructor will be put into a drawing for some amazing prizes!

Seriously? You still haven’t tried Windows Azure? No worries, I can help you with that! For a free 90 day trial just go here.

In azure , , ,
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Windows Azure IaaS Bootcamp in Austin, TX

February 26, 2013

(Pssst…If you still haven’t tried Windows Azure what are you waiting for? Let me give you some encouragement. How about 90 days for free on me. Just go here to learn more.)

If you live in or around Austin, TX I invite you to attend next week’s Windows Azure IaaS Bootcamp. If you aren’t close to Austin, TX find a location closer to you here.

Whether you build apps or support the infrastructure that runs the apps, the cloud can be a really big place. For some, it’s a natural evolution for their application and infrastructure to embrace the power and scale of the cloud. For others, it’s a journey that has to begin with a single step.

Windows Azure provides that first step with a scalable, flexible platform for deploying your applications your way. With our Infrastructure as a Service platform (IaaS) called Windows Azure Virtual Machines, you get the flexibility to choose between Windows and Linux with full control over the operating system configuration and installed software, matched with the portability of Hyper-V disk images. Windows Azure Virtual Machines provide the perfect environment for meeting all of your Infrastructure-as-a-Service needs.

To learn more about our Infrastructure as a Service platform, we invite all developers and IT Professionals to join local Microsoft cloud experts as they introduce you to the Microsoft Cloud Platform, dive deep into Windows Azure Virtual Machines, and help walk you through a hands-on demonstration of the power of IaaS on the Windows Azure platform.

You can register for the session here.

Session Requirements

Be sure to bring a modern laptop that is capable of running the following to make the most of your time at the Bootcamp:

The lab portion of this exercise will require you to connect to the Windows Azure Portal via a modern web browser where you will provision three separate virtual machines in the cloud and configure them each via a Remote Desktop client connection. The lab materials are all online, so no special software is required to install or use them.

If you want to work on other labs while you’re here, you might also want to install the various tools and frameworks that are part of the Windows Azure SDK. Check out various downloads here. Installers are available on that site for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. Details on system requirements for those SDKs can be found by following that link.

All participants registering for the event will get a FREE 90-day trial of the Windows Azure platform and services, including access to the Virtual Machines preview.

All participants that successfully complete the lab and demonstrate their running application to the instructor will be put into a drawing for some amazing prizes!

Seriously? You still haven’t tried Windows Azure? No worries, I can help you with that! For a free 90 day trial just go here.

In azure , , ,
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Windows Azure IaaS Bootcamp Series

January 21, 2013

(Pssst…If you still haven’t tried Windows Azure what are you waiting for? Let me give you some encouragement. How about 90 days for free on me. Just go here to learn more.)

Whether you build apps or support the infrastructure that runs the apps, the cloud can be a really big place. For some, it’s a natural evolution for their application and infrastructure to embrace the power and scale of the cloud. For others, it’s a journey that has to begin with a single step.

Windows Azure provides that first step with a scalable, flexible platform for deploying your applications your way. With our Infrastructure as a Service platform (IaaS) called Windows Azure Virtual Machines, you get the flexibility to choose between Windows and Linux with full control over the operating system configuration and installed software, matched with the portability of Hyper-V disk images. Windows Azure Virtual Machines provide the perfect environment for meeting all of your Infrastructure-as-a-Service needs.

To learn more about our Infrastructure as a Service platform, we invite all developers and IT Professionals to join local Microsoft cloud experts as they introduce you to the Microsoft Cloud Platform, dive deep into Windows Azure Virtual Machines, and help walk you through a hands-on demonstration of the power of IaaS on the Windows Azure platform.

Date City
March 5, 2013 Austin, TX Register
March 6, 2013 Indianapolis, IN Register
March 12, 2013 Cincinnati, OH Register
March 13, 2013 Houston, TX Register
March 19, 2013 St. Louis, MO Register
March 21, 2013 Chicago, IL Register
April 4, 2013 Nashville, TN Register
April 9, 2013 Edina, MN Register

Session Requirements

Be sure to bring a modern laptop that is capable of running the following to make the most of your time at the Bootcamp:

The lab portion of this exercise will require you to connect to the Windows Azure Portal via a modern web browser where you will provision three separate virtual machines in the cloud and configure them each via a Remote Desktop client connection. The lab materials are all online, so no special software is required to install or use them.

If you want to work on other labs while you’re here, you might also want to install the various tools and frameworks that are part of the Windows Azure SDK. Check out various downloads here. Installers are available on that site for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. Details on system requirements for those SDKs can be found by following that link.

All participants registering for the event will get a FREE 90-day trial of the Windows Azure platform and services, including access to the Virtual Machines preview.

All participants that successfully complete the lab and demonstrate their running application to the instructor will be put into a drawing for some amazing prizes!

Seriously? You still haven’t tried Windows Azure? No worries, I can help you with that! For a free 90 day trial just go here.

In azure , , ,
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Windows Azure Virtual Machine Endpoints

August 22, 2012

Prior to June Windows Azure had been strictly a Platform-as-a-Service, or PaaS, environment which presented numerous challenges to those interested in running their existing applications in Microsoft’s data centers. In working with a number of clients I often found that the effort and cost required to make existing applications capable of running in a PaaS environment outweighed the cost savings of running in the Windows Azure data centers. As a result, many customers decided keep their apps on-premises.

With the June update to the Windows Azure platform Microsoft introduced its Infrastructure-as-a-Service or IaaS offering called Windows Azure Virtual Machines. Here’s an overview of the offering

Windows Azure Virtual Machine enables you to create a server in the cloud that you can control and manage. After you create a virtual machine in Windows Azure, you can delete and re-create it whenever you need to, and you can access the virtual machine just like any other server. You can use a virtual machine in Windows Azure to deploy the Windows Server 2008 R2 or multiple distributions of Linux operating systems. The virtual hard disk (VHD) that you deploy in a virtual machine can contain customized settings and your applications, which provides a robust platform for developing or migrating your application solutions. You can create multiple virtual machines and then load-balance traffic between them, and you can connect virtual machines to other Windows Azure cloud services running web roles and worker roles.

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/jj156003.aspx

Windows Azure Virtual Machines allows customers to essentially “uplift” their existing applications to the Windows Azure environment using virtual hard disks that they have complete control over. This means many applications don’t have to be rewritten; they can simply be moved to the Windows Azure environment as is.

I decided to play around with this concept and host my own web application on Windows Azure Virtual Machine. The first thing I did was to go into the portal and create the virtual machine (vm) selecting the release candidate of Windows Server 2012 as the operating system. Once the vm was up and running I used remote desktop to gain access to the server and enable the Web Server role, which includes things like IIS. Once the role was enabled I tried navigating to the server in my browser only to be greeted with this:

azure-vm-endpoints-00-no-page-for-you

Well, that was obviously not what I was hoping for. My first thought was that I needed to update the firewall on the server to allow traffic in on port 80. I returned to my remote desktop session and popped open the firewall only to discover that inbound rules were already in place for tcp traffic coming in on ports 80 (http) and 443 (https). What to do, what to do? I spent about an hour fiddling with the server with the same result, so I decided to walk away and attack the problem later.

Later that evening it dawned on me that the issue wasn’t with the server, it was with the server’s configuration in Windows Azure. I quickly navigated to http://manage.windowsazure.com, selected my virtual machine and clicked on ENDPOINTS. Here’s what I saw:

azure-vm-endpoints-01-one-endpoint

See the problem? I only had one endpoint configured to allow inbound remote desktop traffic. If I wanted to allow traffic over port 80 (http) I needed to created another endpoint. Here’s what I did.

First, I clicked the ADD ENDPOINT button at the bottom of the page

azure-vm-endpoints-02-add

Then I selected Add endpoint and click the arrow on the bottom left of the page

azure-vm-endpoints-03-add-step-01

Next I gave my endpoint a name, specified the protocol (you’ll want to use TCP), then specified the port. Since I want to server all http requests off of the default port I used port 80.

azure-vm-endpoints-04-add-step-02

I then waited for the endpoint to be configured

azure-vm-endpoints-05-endpoint-ready

I then used by browser to navigate to the server again where I was greeted with this

azure-vm-endpoints-06-good-to-go

Success!

Hope it helps.

ag

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Cloud.Compile() for the Week of August 5, 2012

August 10, 2012

{Analysis}

Amazon

Cloud Foundry

Eucalyptus

Force.com

Google

Microsoft

Rackspace

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Cloud.Compile() for the Week of July 22, 2012

July 27, 2012

{Analysis}

Google

Microsoft

Rackspace

In compile , , , , ,
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Cloud.Compile() for the Week of July 8, 2012

July 13, 2012

{Analysis}

Amazon

Apple

Cloud Foundry

Eucalyptus

Force.com

Microsoft

Rackspace

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Cloud.Compile() for the Week of July 1, 2012

July 6, 2012

(A bit of slow week this week due to the July 4th holiday in the States)

{Analysis}

Apprenda

Cloud Foundry

Eucalyptus

Google

Microsoft

Rackspace

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