Cloud Computing Tools Team

Windows Azure Tools and SDK v1.0 November 2009 Release

cctblog — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Today we released several new features for Windows Azure through the Windows Azure Tools and SDK. (Use the direct link while the release propagates)

We look forward to discussing these new Windows Azure features, in detail, at PDC '09.

This release add support for Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 and VWD Express 2010 Beta 2.

What's new for the November release:

Service Model UI: A redesigned and significantly more complete interface for manipulating Role configuration information. To access, double-click on a role node in the Solution Explorer.
Additional role templates: Support for ASP.NET MVC 2 (2010 only), F# worker roles (2010 only), and WCF Service Application web roles.
Support for dynamically creating tables: The Create Tables functionality is now performed automatically; there is no longer a need to right-click and select Create Tables… on the project after your table definitions have changed.
Full support for and installation of the November Windows Azure SDK release:

The sample storage client has been replaced by a new production quality library.
New Diagnostics library enables logging using .NET APIs and enables the collection of diagnostic information from the service.
Service Runtime library updated to support inter-role communication and notification of configuration changes .
Support for input endpoints on Worker Roles.
Higher fidelity simulation of Development Storage: supports all current cloud storage features, including dynamically creating tables.
Ability to choose the size of the VM for a role instance.
Ability to persist data in local storage even after the role is recycled.
Ability to manage certificates to install to the role VMs.

Updated and additional code samples are available online at: http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsazuresamples

Tips and Tricks for using Visual Studio 2010 to develop applications for Windows Azure

cctblog — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:56:00 GMT

If you're going to PDC next week, one of the sessions you don't want to miss is Jim's session on tips and tricks for Windows Azure development.

It's a tools focussed session that should have plenty of interesting content no matter what level of experience you have with Windows Azure.

New walkthroughs for the July CTP of Windows Azure Tools

cctblog — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:59:00 GMT

Jim's put together some new walkthroughs for some of the new features in the July CTP of the Windows Azure Tools + SDK:

Working with Multiple Web and Worker Roles

Associating an ASP.NET Web Application (including MVC) as a Web Role

Have a look, some cool new stuff.

July CTP of Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio

cctblog — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:30:00 GMT

We've just released a July CTP of the Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio! (try the direct link to the download while it propogates)

What’s New for the July 2009 CTP?

Support for developing and deploying services containing multiple web and worker roles. A service may contain zero or more web roles and zero or more worker roles with a minimum of one role of either type.
New project creation dialog that supports creating Cloud Services with multiple web and worker roles.
Ability to associate any ASP.NET Web Application project in a Cloud Service solution as a Web Role
Support for building Cloud Services from TFS Build
Enhanced robustness and stability

Please see this post for more information.

Windows Azure FastCGI Project Template

cctblog — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:27:00 GMT

Jim demystifies the CG Web Role project template that is shipped with the Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio.

Now Available: May 2009 CTP of the Windows Azure Tools and SDK

cctblog — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio (includes SDK). If the release is still propagating, try the Direct Link.

New for the May 2009 CTP:

Support for Visual Studio 2010 Beta 1
Update for Visual Studio 2008
Improved integration with the Development Fabric and Storage services to improve the reliability of debug and run of Cloud Services from Visual Studio
Enhanced robustness and stability

Release notes/Known issues are available here

Visual Studio 2010 compatible samples are available here

Please see this post for more information.

Adding an https endpoint to a Windows Azure Web Role

cctblog — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:09:00 GMT

Here's a helpful walkthrough on how to add an https endpoint to a Windows Azure Cloud Service.

[Fixed link]

Using the Web Platform Installer to install Pre-reqs for the Windows Azure Tools/SDK

cctblog — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:01:00 GMT

Jim walks you through using the Web Platform Installer to get your pre-reqs (like installing IIS7) for the Windows Azure Tools and SDK using the Web Platform Installer.

Windows Azure Service Packages Revealed

cctblog — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:49:00 GMT

Jim's just posted about Service Packages including how to crack open the single file version of them (diagnostic and debugging purposes only).

Azure Mix '09 Videos

cctblog — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:22:00 GMT

Jim's posted a set of links to the Mix '09 keynotes, Windows Azure and Azure Services Plaform sessions.

http://blogs.msdn.com/jnak/archive/2009/03/22/windows-azure-mix-videos.aspx

Just released - Windows Azure Tools and SDK March 2009 CTP

cctblog — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:44:00 GMT

Just in time for Mix '09 - new Windows Azure Tools and SDK.

New Features:

Combined installer that installs both the Windows Azure Tools and the SDK
Get notified of updates when they become available
Ability to write and debug .Net Full Trust Web and Worker Roles. Here's a walkthrough.of using that functionality to PInvoke to native code.
Support for FastCGI applications running on Windows Azure.
Support for the URL rewrite module
Support for specifying the SQL Server instance to use for Development Storage

Hotfix for VS Crash with ASP.Net MVC in a Windows Azure Cloud Service Project

cctblog — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:55:00 GMT

If you've seen VS crash while using the MVC RC in a Windows Azure Cloud Service project -- check out the fix that is now available.

Upcoming Azure Services Platform Webcasts

cctblog — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:55:00 GMT

You have to check out the upcoming Azure Services Platform Webcasts: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9652699

Explore the Azure Services Platform, an Internet-scale cloud services platform that provides an operating system and a set of developer services. Participate in a webcast, download a podcast, or step into a virtual lab to see how you can use the Azure Services individually or together, either to build new applications or to extend existing ones. The Azure Services Platform supports popular standards and protocols, including REST and SOAP, and provides a range of functionality to build applications that span from consumer Web to enterprise scenarios. Join us to discover more.

MSDN Webcast: Building Cloud Solutions with Microsoft .NET Services and the Azure Services Platform (Level 200)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. Pacific Time

MSDN Webcast: geekSpeak: Windows Azure Storage Services with John Croft (Level 200)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 12:00 P.M.–1:00 P.M. Pacific Time

Deploy a Service Package from the Cloud

cctblog — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:53:00 GMT

You can now deploy Services Packages that are hosted in Blob Storage to Windows Azure. Check it out.

Windows Azure "How Do I" Videos

cctblog — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:44:00 GMT

The first 9 of 40 Azure Services Platform "How Do I" videos have been released! Windows Azure is well represented with 5 videos.