The long-awaited 1.3 SDK with support for the following (from the download page): Virtual Machine (VM) Role (Beta): Allows you to create a custom VHD image using Windows Server 2008 R2 and host it in the cloud. Remote Desktop Access: Enables connecting...

The debate regarding PaaS vs. IaaS continues at pace. It seems as though no mention of this debate where Windows Azure is concerned, is complete without a frequently misunderstood notion of what the recently announced VM Role is. Many commentators are...

Just thought I’d post this. It’s also cross-posted on to the Cloud Evening Web Site. Cloud Evening is a UK-based Cloud Computing enthusiast’s group. It’s not aimed at majoring on any particular cloud provider or technology vendor. If you are UK-based...

A lot of people don’t realise there will be 2 very interesting features in Office 365 which makes connecting the dots with your on-premise environment and Windows Azure easy. The 2 features are directory sync and federation. It means you can use your...

I’ve heard a lot of talk recently about the forthcoming Windows Azure Connect service, combined with the soon-to-be-released-to-CTP of VM Role giving the possibility of hosting an Active Directory Domain Controller in the cloud. Although technically feasible...

I’ve just met an ISV who made an interesting observation about where the notion of cloud computing has an almost perfect fit. They called it The Dead Portal Society: the idea that most portals are used for a short time and then die, or hibernate until...

If you’re new to it, or you want to be able to explain the whole Windows Azure, SQL Azure, AppFab story to somebody and only have just over 30 minutes to spare in order to learn it – have I got a deal for you! Just watch the video and you’ll be able to...

At last I have rendered and posted Ross Scott’s talk about the experiences of a small startup with Windows Azure. To view it click here .   I’ll be posting Mark Rendle’s talk later when I’ve rendered it (that’s a lengthy overnight job!)…   Planky

Cloudeve.ning got off to a great start with 46 keen and eager technologists turning up to the inaugural event at WorkMatters in North London.   Aside from the initial coffee and chit-chat before we got down to business, I made sure I got a good place...

I thought it’d be good to point folks in the direction of this event, in the light of all the commentary on the net about SIlverlight at the moment. Scott Guthrie is to give details of Microsoft’s plans for the next version of Silverlight. The Silverlight...

In a move designed to cater for those organisations that are bound by the various data protection regulations that prohibit certain data to be held outside of the UK border, a new Windows Azure Data Center is to open within the first half of 2011 in Stevenage...

I made a post describing how to domain-join instances you have running in the Azure cloud . This post dives in to a little of the detail underneath the covers as far as the networking that enables it all is concerned. First: You can sign-up to the Windows...

When I did a video interview with Doug Hauger , General Manager of Windows Azure a few weeks back, he told me there’d be a new awareness campaign kicking in after the PDC. Well, it’s happened. It consists of TV, print and web advertising. If you want...

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the differences between a domain-joined application running in Azure and an Azure application which is connected to AD through ACS/federation. I thought I’d try to illuminate the differences and give some guidance...

In Star Wars, they talk about “the trade federation” and we instinctively know what they mean. Separate autonomous planets, galaxies, civilisations etc. that bind together to give themselves a greater force for intergalactic trade than they would otherwise...

I’ve had it for less than 24 hours and there is no doubt I am converted. I never owned an iPhone, but I' have “had a go” on a few. I’d be the first to agree there is a difference between trying something out for a few minutes and actually getting to know...

I was particularly interested in the features of Azure Connect – up until now called “Project Sydney”. A way of getting your corporate network joined up to the instances you have running in the cloud. One particular feature I think will interest enterprises...

In my interview with Doug Hauger, General Manager of Windows Azure – he suggested there’d be an “answer” to the 12 cents/hour cost of the small compute instance. At the PDC, the “extra small instance” was announced. This is a VM that only costs 5 cents...

An invitation to the inaugural Cloud Evening. Cloud Evening is the UK's only Cloud-focused user group. We want to build on the interest in the market about the Cloud and provide a forum for developers and architects to meet and discuss relevant topics...