- Study Paris to improve your IT architecture
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The IT architecture of a typical company is an aging maze of applications, hardware, and networks that undermines rather than promotes corporate strategic goals. Senior IT managers should study another complicated set of systems—the infrastructure of a modern city—to learn how underlying principles and physical assets can unify an organization. Paris, with its wonderful variety of buildings from many centuries, seems particularly apt for this analogy.
Back in the 1850s, Napoleon III empowered the city planner Baron Haussmann to create a vast new infrastructure system, including sewers, bridges, parks, streets, and boulevards—the Paris of song and story. (His goals were not only to promote commerce and public health but also to widen the streets in hopes of preventing Parisians from erecting barricades and thus to prevent further revolutions of the kind that had brought him to power.) Since then, Paris has planned its redevelopment coherently, renovating old assets while replacing others and adding new ones. The city’s infrastructure unites them all, defining the cityscape and controlling its evolution.
Read this classic article to learn how the city-planning analogy can help companies use their IT architectures to compete more successfully.
August 2000
The Paris guide to IT architecture
- The architect profession according to Forrester
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Forrester: Inquiry Spotlight: Developing Architects, Q2 2009
Abstract
Whether you're an architect yourself or you have architects reporting to you, you've probably wondered: What does it take to be an architect? We analyzed more than 60 inquiry questions from Forrester clients related to the topic of the architect's role and found that they fall into roughly three categories: defining the architect's skill set and job responsibilities, finding and hiring the right architects, and training and developing architects. We also saw a number of questions specifically about architecture certifications. The lack of standardized enterprise architecture (EA) roles across organizations is causing significant difficulty in identifying, hiring, and growing top-notch EA talent.
Figure 2: Forrester Divides Foundational Architect Skills Into Eight Categories
Figure 3: Forrester Identifies Four Stages Along An Architect's Growth Map
http://www.forrester.com/Research/Document/0,7211,54793,00.html
- Bing vs. Google: do the test
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Ever since Bing’s launch, there’s been a lot of talk about which search engine is doing a better job. Can Bing compare to Google? Does it do a better job? Or does it do well with some queries and not others? If you’ve had trouble making up your mind about this, there’s a new site that can help you figure it all out. The site is called “Bing vs. Google,” and, like it sounds, it’s a comparison site that pits two sets of search results against each other. Like any other search engine, Bing vs. Google has a simple homepage with just a search box in the middle of the screen and a bit of text explaining what it’s all about. To use the site, all you have to do is enter in a query as usual and hit “search.”
The fun part, of course, is the search results page. Bing vs. Google shows the results in a split screen, bing on the left, Google on the right. Squashing the screens like this can lead to a bit overlapping text in some cases (see, for example, how the results overlap Google’s sponsored links in the image), but it’s still a good way to easily get side-by-side results.
Using the links at the top, you can change the layout of the page to a horizontal split, if you so desire, or you can switch off one engine entirely and show just the one set of results. Either way, if you were having trouble making up your mind (or just making the switch to a new default search provider!), Bing vs. Google can help you put things in perspective.
- 7 July release of the new .NET Services CTP
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On 7 July we will release the new .NET Services CTP. As part of this update, the workflow service will be (temporarily) removed.
Key Points
- The .NET Services and the .NET Services portal will be unavailable on 7 July between 9am and 3pm PST for maintenance
- The workflow service will be removed (replaced later on)
- Solutions that use the workflow service will need to be modified and associated workflow service data (such as workflow types and instances) will be deleted.
- Users’ queue and router data will not be saved and restored. Users will need to back up queue and router data locally and restore it, restarting applications and recreating queues and routers once the service is back up.
- The new SDK needs to be installed
Schedule
START: July 7, 2009, 9am PST
END: July 7, 2009, 3pm PST
Actions Required
- Queues and Routers data will NOT be persisted after the scheduled maintenance. Queues and routers will need to be backed up and restored. Use SDK samples such as the SimpleMessagesQueueSample consumer on how to retrieve and send messages to and from Queues
- Solutions that use the workflow service need to be modified to no longer use it
- Download and Install the .NET Services July 2009 SDK
- Read the release notes carefully for any breaking changes and known issues
- Visit the .NET Services Developer Center to access .NET Services forums, videos, blogs, documentations and more
All the above information is publicly available via this blog post. There will be another post nearer the update time where the new CTP features will be covered. Now for a bit more on the workflow decision...
Workflow Services Removal
The removal of the workflow service was announced in this blog post. However, I’d like to give you a bit more detail to help you in your interactions with customers.
.NET Services is part of the Azure Services Platform, Microsoft’s cloud platform, together with Windows Azure and SQL Services. It consists of three core pieces of functionality: a Service Bus, which enables message passing between cloud and on-premises applications across IT infrastructure such as firewalls and routers, an Access Control Service, which you to control who can access your on-premises and cloud-based applications using claims-based identities, and a Workflow Service, which allows you to run and manage workflows in the cloud. Naturally enough, the .NET Services Workflow Service has been built upon the current version of Windows Workflow Foundation, WF 3.5. This allows developers to reuse many of their existing workflows, hosting them in the cloud, taking advantage of a proven and shipping codebase, and utilizing a familiar set of tools in Visual Studio.
While this is a clear, well-thought-out plan for shipping the Workflow Service for November 2009 (PDC), we’ve taken the time to share our ideas and plans with literally hundreds of customers through Software Design Reviews, customer briefings and events, obtaining feedback on what we’re doing and making sure that we build the right thing for our customers. In the case of the Workflow Service, we’ve had one strong and consistent piece of feedback: that, based upon the experience with the VS2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 CTPs, the next version of WF is sufficiently (and improved) from WF 3.5 that, rather than build cloud-hosted WF 3.5-based workflows today and move them on to 4.0 later, customers would far rather wait until .NET Framework 4.0 ships and build their cloud-based workflows based upon that.
We have responded to this feedback by deciding to suspend development on the WF 3.5-based codebase and to work on WF 4.0 instead, withdrawing the Workflow Service from the July CTP with the aim of reinstating it at a later date using the 4.0 workflow engine and tools. So far, everyone we’ve spoken to about this agrees that it is the right thing to do. Furthermore, customers are happy that we have listened to their feedback and are acting on it. However, we need to be clear about what we’re doing and why, to avoid any customer confusion or misunderstanding – hence this blog post. Finally, although no one has objected to this change there can be exceptions. If you happen to know of such a case please let us know the details. We will be happy to follow up on those concerns
- P&P : Acceptance Test Engineering Guide
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| Microsoft patterns & practices is excited to announce the latest addition to the p&p library of software engineering guidance: 
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Quick Links
– Codeplex site: http://codeplex.com/TestingGuidance
Common Scenarios
– How to Plan for Acceptance Testing
– What Kinds of Acceptance Tests to Run
– How to Create and Run Acceptance Tests
– Defining What “Done” Means
– How to Justify Your Approach
– How to Streamline Your Acceptance Process
Contents of at a Glance
PART I – THINKING ABOUT ACCEPTANCE explains six mental models that are useful when thinking about the acceptance process.
Chapter 1 The Acceptance Process
Chapter 2 Decision-Making Model
Chapter 3 Project Context Model
Chapter 4 System Requirements Model
Chapter 5 Risk Model
Chapter 6 Doneness Model
PARTII – PERSPECTIVES ON ACCEPTANCE describes the acceptance process from the perspectives of key stakeholders in two different kinds of organizations: the Information Technology Department in a business and the Product Development Company. Most readers involved in the acceptance process should find some commonality with at least one of the roles describes.
Chapter 7 Business Lead’s Perspective
Chapter 8 Product Manager’s Perspective
Chapter 9 Test Manager’s Perspective
Chapter 10 Development Manager’s Perspective
Chapter 11 User Experience Specialist’s Perspective
Chapter 12 Operations Manager’s Perspective
Chapter 13 Solution Architect’s Perspective
Chapter 14 Enterprise Architect’s Perspective
Chapter 15 Legal Perspective
PARTIII – ACCEPTING SOFTWARE introduces the practices that are necessary for planning the acceptance process, for performing acceptance testing and for improving the acceptance process.
Chapter 16 Planning for Acceptance
Chapter 17 Assessing Software
Chapter 18 Managing the Acceptance Process
Chapter 19 Streamlining the Acceptance Process
- Windows Azure, A conversation with David Chappell
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ARCast.TV - Windows Azure, A conversation with David Chappell
What's the latest on Windows Azure and Microsoft's cloud platform? David Chappell discusses his perspective on this fast-changing area with Bob Familiar.
- Forrester: Virtual Infrastructure Architect
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Forrester: Virtual Infrastructure Architect - Job Profile And Description
Job Title: Virtual Infrastructure Architect
Position overview: The virtual infrastructure (VI) architect is responsible for managing all of the virtualized infrastructure across technology domains (this usually does not include the virtual desktop).
Responsibilities:
· Working with the business to develop new functionality and ensure service-level agreements with the business are met
· Monitoring resource usage and system performance
· Forecasting demand for infrastructure resources down the road in order to have capacity ready when it is needed
· Training internal users and external customers on the value and functionality of virtualization
· Coordinating with employees in different technology groups to ensure virtual environment runs smoothly
· Planning for future expansions of the environment
· Setting standards and protocols for the virtual environment and enforcing said policies
Skills:
· Ability to implement, maintain, and support a virtual environment across servers, storage, and networks
· Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, along with the ability to relate technical issues to nontechnical customers
· Close attention to detail.
· A proactive and hands-on attitude
· Flexibility and the ability to react quickly to changing situations
· Knowledge of the virtualization platform and tools across domains
· Diverse technical experience
· Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
Experience:
· Bachelor's degree in information systems or engineering
· Two to three years minimum hands-on virtualization experience
· Experience working in multiple silos of technology
· Experience playing the role of technical lead on a large-scale server consolidation or virtualization initiative involving physical-to-virtual migrations is a plus
· VCP, CCA/CCEE/CCIA, or MCTS certifications are a plus, but not required
Compensation range:
· $90,000 to $130,000/year
Source: http://www.forrester.com/go?docid=54698
- TechDays videos are here
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All sessions here.
Architect sessions here.
- Power Utilization of Native and Virtual Exchange
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WhitePaper: Comparing the Power Utilization of Native and Virtual Exchange Environments.
Is reducing or controlling the high cost of the power to run and cool computer hardware is a top priority for your organization? Are you considering server virtualization solutions to reduce your server footprint and the associated power and cooling costs?
Because the virtualization of Microsoft Exchange servers rarely results in a reduction of physical processors, there is some question as to whether there is significant hardware, power, cooling, or space savings from virtualizing correctly-sized Exchange Server 2007 server roles. The answer to this question can be found in a new White Paper we just released about a study that was done internally, entitled "Comparing the Power Utilization of Native and Virtual Exchange Environments." This study compared the power utilization of native and virtual Exchange server environments in a scenario in which the number of physical servers was reduced from eight to two, but the total number of logical processors and the amount of memory remained the same. It examined power utilization of native and virtual Exchange 2007 environments in a scenario where physical servers were reduced from 8 to 2 but the total number of logical processors remained constant at 32. There was no processor core consolidation, and storage power utilization was not included. In this scenario, there was a 50 percent reduction in server power utilization and a projected savings of 8,582 kWh/year.
For more details about the study and its conclusions, check out the White Paper, "Comparing the Power Utilization of Native and Virtual Exchange Environments."
- 4 New "How Do I" Video Series on Windows Azure
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| | | |
| Solution | How Do I… | Description |
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| Leverage Concurrency in Windows Azure Table Storage? | Windows Azure table storage is designed to support many users at the same time. In this session, you’ll learn how Windows Azure table storage supports concurrency, and you’ll learn a few strategies to help you deal with any concurrency violations. |
| Use Paging in Windows Azure Tables? | To improve application usability, many applications need to support viewing data page-by-page. In this screencast, you'll learn how Windows Azure table storage provides a built-in mechanism that allows you to efficiently page through query results. |
| 
| Sync Between Devices and the Cloud with FeedSync? | Syncing the cloud and a growing world of devices is a fundamental need in today’s world. In this video, you will learn how to use FeedSync feeds to synchronize Live Framework data between a device and the cloud. |
| Get Started with the Messenger Web Toolkit? | Making your application sociable is easy. In this screencast, Chris Parker uses simple code to add instant messaging to his Web site. In minutes he connects his Web site to 320 million Instant Messenger (IM) users on PCs, Macs, mobile devices and Xbox 360. These efforts can help bring new users to his application and retain them for a longer period of time through the use of cool features like chat, presence, contacts and profile information. |
- Your chance to look into the future: 10 years away
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Steven Elope, president of the Microsoft Business Division, talked last week about the future of technology in business at the yearly technology conference of the Wharton Business school (raking no3 after Harvard & Stanford). Very inspiring stuff, have a look at here.
- Windows Mobile 6.5 SDK released
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Microsoft released the Windows Mobile 6.5 software development kit (SDK) which is what developers will use to build applications for the upcoming mobile OS. Included in the kit is a set of APIs that let developers tap into the touch gesture framework. In a big change from previous versions of the OS, 6.5 is to be more touch-friendly, letting users scroll through the phone with their finger – no stylus required. Also included are gesture APIs and code samples for developing software for the OS. The Windows Mobile team even posted a guide for widget creation on their blog to help developers get going.
- BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0 released to web
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As we have pre-announced during several BizTalk sessions at TechEd North America last month, the BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0, formerly known as the ESB Guidance 2.0 - has been released today to the web. It is available on the new ESB page in the BizTalk Developer Center on MSDN.
This toolkit extends BizTalk Server 2009 capabilities to support a loosely coupled and dynamic messaging architecture. It functions as middleware that provides tools for rapid mediation between services and their consumers. Enabling maximum flexibility at run time, the BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0 simplifies composition of service endpoints without “hard-wiring” them and also provides management of service interactions at enterprise scale.
Why did we change the name ?
The BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0 has been renamed from “ESB Guidance2.0” to reflect the fact that it is now provided as a BizTalk Server 2009 value-add with a better support model. This will hopefully help customers develop mature ESB implementations that will be ready for enterprise-wide deployments.
How does this change support and community engagement?
The BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0 Connect site has been created to log bugs with the BizTalk ESB Toolkit Team and to provide updates to additional tools over time. Once you log a bug, someone from the BizTalk ESB Toolkit team will respond to you within five days with an acknowledgment and status. Any future updates or tools will be provided through the Microsoft Download Center.
In addition, an ESB Toolkit Forum is provided on MSDN. These forums target online communities—in particular BizTalk MVPs and other BizTalk community lists. Best-effort assistance will be offered through a closely managed forum. That is, any fixes and responses to questions in the forums are best effort. We will continue to leverage the community to provide peer assistance, although with the capability of issuing fixes if necessary.
What’s new with the ESB Toolkit 2.0?
The BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0 provides both architectural enhancements and new capabilities over the previous ESB Guidance 1.0. For more information, see SOA and Web Services section in the New Features in BizTalk 2009 Web page (rename will propagate soon …).
What does the BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0 provide?
The BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0 provides key building blocks that are required for implementing a comprehensive service-oriented infrastructure (SOI) including:
- Endpoint run-time discovery and virtualization.
The service consumer does not need to be aware of the service provider location and endpoint details; a new or modified service provider can be added to the ESB, without interruptions to the service consumer. - Loosely coupled service composition.
The service provider and service consumer do not need to be aware of service interaction style. - Dynamic message transformation and translation.
The mapping definition between distinct message structure and semantics is resolved at run time. - Dynamic routing.
Run-time content-based, itinerary-based, or context-based message routing. - Centralized exception management.
Exception management framework, services, and infrastructure elements that make it possible to create, repair, resubmit, and compensate fault messages that service consumers or BizTalk components submit. - Quality of service.
An asynchronous publish/subscribe engine resolves different levels of service availability and provides high availability, scalability, and message traceability for ESB implementations. - Protocol transformation.
Providing the ability for service provider and service consumer to interact via different protocols including WS-* standards for Web Services. For example, a service provider can send an HTTP Web Service request, which will result in sending a message via the BizTalk SAP adapter. - Extensibility.
Providing multiple extensibility points to extend functionality for endpoint discovery, message routing, and additional BizTalk Server adapters for run time and design time.
How to get started with the BizTalk ESB Toolkit 2.0?
- Easily debug & compare your site in IE6, IE7 and IE8
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Microsoft SuperPreview is a tool which was launched a few months ago at the MIX09 Developer Conference. This standalone visual debugging software makes it easier to migrate your sites from IE6 to IE7 to IE8 as well as compare how the site looks in different web browsers. The features found in this application were determined by asking web developers what sorts of things they needed in a browser comparison tool.
With this app, you can view pages side by side or even as an onion-skin overlay – a great feature that lets you stack a partially transparent browser on top of another to see the rendering differences. It also includes rulers, guides, and zoom/pan tools that help you navigate and identify differences in layout.
SuperPreview is available as a free 250 MB download from here. Note: requires .NET
- Social Media: unlocking behavioral disorders
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