Microsoft Enhances Azure SQL Database, Active Directory and Media Services
Microsoft announced new features to Azure SQL Database, Azure Active Directory, Azure RMS and Azure Media Services.
Microsoft’s Cloud Guidance Addresses SQL Server
Microsoft's guidance on how to deploy a SQL solution in Azure addresses many concerns such as service level agreements, maintenance, and scalability. Additionally, a framework is offered which helps developers make this decision based upon their solution's specific needs.
Windows Azure Management Portal with Localization, Database and VM Enhancements
Microsoft recently released several enhancements to Windows Azure Management Portal with support for 6 additional languages, database improvements and enhancements for virtual machines and networking including support for operation logs.
Windows Azure Gets Node.js, SQL Azure Federation, Increased DB Limits
Windows Azure team announced major updates including support for Node.js, better scalability for SQL Azure through Federation and higher individual DB Size limits (upto 150 GB), a limited preview for Hadoop and more.
SQL Azure To Get Higher DB Size Limit, Federation
At SQL PASS Summit 2011, Microsoft announced a number of upcoming improvements to SQL Azure including larger databases, Federation, improved management portal, better collation support and more; all to be available by the end of 2011.
Sync Framework Breaks Platform Barriers
Sync Framework Toolkit builds on the Sync Framework 2.1 and uses OData to sync with any platform or client, including Windows Phone 7, Silverlight, Windows Mobile, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android devices, and any browser using HTML5.
Microsoft Virtual Academy on Cloud Computing
Microsoft has opened a free online virtual academy for students interested in learning and graduating in Microsoft Cloud Computing technologies.
Partitioning and Sharding Options for SQL Server and SQL Azure
Horizontal partitioning and sharding are important tools for developers working with extremely large datasets. We take a brief look at what’s available in SQL Server and what’s coming down the road.
Preview of SQL Azure Federations Connectivity Model
Earlier this week Cihan Biyikoglu of Microsoft provided a preview of how developers will need to adapt their code for the upcoming SQL Azure Federations to supports its connectivity model. The intent is to provide a safe model for developers to work with federated data and/or multi-tenant applications.
Whitepaper Released: Sharding with SQL Azure
Yesterday Microsoft released a new whitepaper providing guidance on sharding with SQL Azure written by Michael Heydt and Michael Thomassy. The intent of the whitepaper is to deliver guidance on how to architect an application that requires elasticity and fluidity of resources at the data layer over time.
SQL Azure Achitecture - Competitive Differentiation
Two weeks back Kalen Delaney published a whitepaper on SQL Azure internals focused on how SQL Azure achieves scalability and high availability. A foundation feature which differentiates SQL Azure from its competitors is the multi-tenant architecture upon which it has been built.
Migrating from MySQL/Access to SQL Server/Azure with SSMA
Microsoft has released the SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for MySQL 1.0, and has refreshed SSMA for Oracle v4.2, SSMA for Sybase v4.2, and SSMA for Access v4.2. These toolkits helps customers migrating their MySQL/Oracle/Sybase/Access databases to SQL Server and some even to SQL Azure.
Microsoft is Planning to Allow Private Installations of Windows and SQL Azure
Along with partners HP, Dell, and Fujitsu, Microsoft is offering private installations of Windows Azure. The product will be offered in appliance format, meaning Microsoft will be selling the hardware and software as a bundle. While no pricing is set, the target audience is customers like eBay who can afford at least one thousand servers.
Microsoft Announced New Features for Windows Azure During TechEd 2010
Microsoft announced Windows Azure Tools for Visual Studio 1.2 (June 2010) at TechEd 2010. Some of the most important features are: .NET 4 support, support for Visual Studio 2010 RTM, and IntelliTrace debugging. Microsoft also announced a billing plan for Azure CDN, and new options for SQL Azure.
SQL Azure Unveils New Features and a Prototype Lab
SQL Azure will be rolling out new features over the next few months including MARS support, spatial data, and a 50 GB option. Also available is SQL Azure Labs, where previews of possible enhancements like OData Services will be showcased.
