Reckless : Web Services

Vinoski is Right (Contract First)

rdias — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 01:32:00 GMT

Vinoski and Tim are right about Contract first. I would expect no less from one of the Fathers of distributed computing. I learned this lesson first hand over eight years ago working with Charles White and Eva Guo on a project at HP. Yes, we built service-oriented systems back then too!

Don Box is giving a talk on Metadata Soup: Contracts, Models, and Types on the Connected Systems Infrastructure Track at Tech Ed this year. There is no doubt in my mind that he will turn this topic upside down

Aaron has been blogging a lot about contract first and proposed a birds of a feather session. Vote for it and attend.

(Clearly I'm at that point where my to do list is too long so I am procrastinating and catching up on the blog roll.)

Indigo Bits for MSDN Subscribers

rdias — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 00:47:00 GMT

The Avalon and Indigo Community Technology Preview is now available, but to MSDN subscribers only for now. Sells is pushing content about the bits on the Indigo section of the Longhorn developer center on MSDN.

Why Use WS-Security and WSE

rdias — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 07:02:00 GMT

I know you all get annoyed with high level articles, but I felt it was important to get one out there that simply went after the high level benefits of WS-Security and why you would want to use Web Services Enhancements (WSE). I compiled a slew of internal and external discussions and worked with Benjamin Mitchell to get this article written. Tell me what you think. What benefits have you gained? Are they in line with what is compiled in this article?

In my mind, the two most powerful new concepts that did not exist in previous distributed computing infrastructures in the Web Services Architecture is Policy and Message Level Security. I describe policy simply i.e. the ability to describe how you communicate with a services beyond what data to send e.g. your security requirements. As far as Message Level Security is concerned, I love:

the service oriented audit trail - the idea that intermediaries can put information in the message header stating what they have done with the message and then sign that additional information for auditing purposes
the flexibility of choosing what types of tokens you use to sign, encrypt, authenticate, and authorize with
the flexibility of choosing what parts of the message to sign and encrypt with what tokens

What strikes you about Message Level Security and policy?

Tech Ed: Connected Systems Infrastructure Track

rdias — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 22:13:00 GMT

The Connected Systems Infrastructure track is almost finalized (minor tweaks may occur btwn now and then) for Tech Ed 2005. We have an exceptional line-up of speakers. This year's event promises to give you the tools to build powerful connected systems on the Microsoft platform that can integrate with third party systems.

Track Abstract:

Connected Systems are becoming pervasive as a result of current economic and technological drivers for companies to be more agile, drive down costs, and integrate heterogeneous, globally dispersed systems. New applications no longer live in single process or machine silos. Applications need to be designed to be a part of a connected network of services to build systems that span multiple machines and reach beyond corporate firewalls. Also, in order to increase an organization's agility when responding to market and changing strategic requirements, the information flow between services that carry out these business operations must be streamlined.

The Connected Systems Infrastructure track is designed to help you understand how to design, implement, secure, deploy, and manage connected systems on the Microsoft platform for automating your companies information flow to achieve streamlined operations and greater levels of business agility. Architects, Developers, and IT Operators will learn about our existing and next generation distributed systems technologies for building Connected Systems covering the Windows Server System, Visual Studio .NET and the .NET Framework (ASP.NET, MSMQ, .NET Remoting, Enterprise Services, WSE), business process management with BizTalk Server, integration of IBM mainframe and midrange systems with Host Integration Server, integration of retail systems with Commerce Server, and our unified messaging infrastructure for Longhorn, Indigo.

Track Lineup:

The Distributed Systems Lineup using core .NET Framework technologies

Connected Systems technologies and the .NET Framework, When to use What? by Steve Swartz

Making sense of Web Services and Microsoft’s Roadmap by Rebecca Dias

Top ten hands-on tips and tricks for implementing ASP.NET Web Services by Tim Ewald

Introducing System.Transactions and new Features by Juval Lowy

Retry, Abort, Cancel? Appropriate Handling of Tx Failures in Connected Systems Application Code by Clemens Vasters

What's New for Web Services Developers in Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Framework 2.0 by John Bristowe

Not Really Complicated Asynchronous Messaging Techniques and Technologies by Clemens Vasters

Beyond the Wizards – A Practical Approach to Web Services Security with WSE by Michele Leroux Bustamante

What's new in Web Services Enhancements (WSE) 3.0? by Mark Fussell

Optimizing Scalability, Performance and Availability with Systems Built on the .NET Framework by Ingo Rammer

Metadata Soup: Contracts, Models, and Types by Don Box

My Home is my Castle: Hosting Apps - Why you care about Threads, AppDomains, and Processes by Christian Weyer

Web Services Interoperability by Simon Guest

Versioning services and contracts on the .NET Framework by Don Smith

Advanced Serialization by Doug Purdy

Troubleshooting Connected Systems on the .NET Framework by Shy Cohen and Richard Turner

Designing Connected Applications with the .NET Framework and an eye on the future by Doug Purdy

Building Secure, Reliable, Transacted Communication on .NET today with an eye on the future by Steve Swartz

Programming with System.Net v2.0: API’s You Need to Quickly Build Robust Network Applications by Chad Mumford

Introduction to Web Services by Yasser Shohoud

And the Business Process Integration Lineup

Microsoft's Integration Technologies, When to use What? by Scott Woodgate

Expanding your .Net development portfolio with BizTalk Server by Aaron Skonnard

Advance Orchestration Designs Using BizTalk Server by Erik Leaseburg

Advanced Service Orientation in BizTalk Server by Yumay Chang

Integrating SharePoint Portal Server with BizTalk Server by Steve Resnick

Implementation of Common Integration Patterns with BizTalk Server by Mike Woods

What's New in BizTalk Server 2006 Runtime by Jeff Wierer

BizTalk Server 2006 Business Activity Monitoring by John Ballard and Zach Jason

Deploying, Managing and Monitoring BizTalk Server 2006 Solutions by Goutham Sukumar and Eddie Fusaro

Monitoring and Trouble Shooting BizTalk Server 2006 Solutions by Kris Shankar

BizTalk Server Security Revealed by Wayne Clark

Building and Maintaining a Performant and Healthy BizTalk Solution by Lee Graber

BizTalk Server Capacity Planning by Wayne Clark

Implementing A Rules Engine Solution using BizTalk Server by Jurgen Willis

Integration Points of Microsoft Business Solutions with BizTalk Server by Matt Milner

Strategies and Tactics for Interoperability Using BizTalk Server by Alex Cobb

Commerce Server 2006 & Beyond: In-Depth Look by Ryan Donovan

Connected Commerce: ERP & Trading Partner Integration with CS2006 & BTS2006 by Caesar Samsi

Securely & Reliably Deploying Connected Commerce Infrastructure by Max Akbar

Delivering Services Oriented Architectures for Distributed Host Systems by Paul Larsen

Identity Integration using Host Integration Server and BizTalk Server by Anil Balakrishna

Architecting Enterprise Integration Solutions using Host Integration Server 2006 by Paul Larsen

Indigo and Interop

rdias — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 02:24:00 GMT

Ari talks about the upcoming VSLive event.

Bill Gates talks about Microsoft's commitment to interop.

The reason I came to Microsoft becomes more of a reality with each passing day.

And Scott Woodgate will demo the powerf of our shipping platform at Tech Ed. The full track to be disclosed shortly.

Your Tech Ed Requirements for the Connected Systems Infrastructure (CSI) track

rdias — Wed, 08 Dec 2004 05:31:00 GMT

Tech Ed is closing in and Yumay and I want to know your requirements for the Connected Systems Infrastructure track. What critical talks would you like us to cover? There will be a marriage of solutions oriented talks and feature drilldown talks covering topics like security, management, reliable messaging, transactions, business process management, integration of IBM datacenters, and integration of retail systems. We will be targeting different talks for IT operators, developers, and architects. What critical areas would you like us to drill into? What does the perfect session look like for you? What challenges are you facing? What parts of the technology do you need to learn? Where could you benefit from an expert's advice?

Here is a draft track abstract:

iPAQ without a phone, why bother?

rdias — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 10:45:00 GMT

That is what I thought when my boss, Dr. Bix, gave me a new iPAQ (yes, ungrateful person). It sat in my office for a few months collecting dust until today when I ripped it open.

So it has a keyboard, so what, it's not a phone and where is the camera.

Well,we are demanding of technology these days.

Have you tried using your phone for email? Well, it ain't that fun after the first one.

One thing I was told by a lady in Singapore is that Sing people text message faster than anyone and they don't even need T9. Someone actually did a test to prove it. Well, I don't type fast enough with T9. My thoughts move too quickly for that single finger typing. I love the keyboard.

Oh man, one more electronic gadget to carry around! Ugh.

Actually, I was really annonyed on this trip not having an instant-on device with my itinerary (.pdf) on it. I also dig the full screen view of my email and the automatic pick-up of random wireless signals all around me while I go from place to place, my home, coffee shop, work, etc. I don't have to power up the computer and watch it sync. I just pause for a moment and take a quick look. I love that while I am cruising around it just automaticcaly syncs up for me. I never wait for new email on the go.

So aside from a phone, what is it missing? A KILLER APP! Microsoft, on my Christmas list, I have the following:

Smart Client Application that allows me to do my expense reports on the iPAQ

Do you think that Santa's elves in our IT department will hear me?

Next year this time, I am hoping for an IT Showcase of a Smart Client that connects to secure Web services in our finance department. That way I wont have to spend 6 hours of precious Microsoft time filling out expense reports for reciepts that are 2 weeks old in a language I don't speak and so therefore have forgotten what they are for. If I had a Smart Client I could store and then forward my expenses on as I go. Or do them on the plane in between cities. It's brainless work that I don't want to be doing the day I get back in my office.

But really, the next generation smart client should be on your cell phone with a point of sale reader.

"Would you like an electronic or paper receipt with that miss?"

"Thanks, I will scan it electronically into my phone."

Or better yet...

"Would you like to pay for that with your credit card, your debit card, or your cell phone?"

"Thanks, I like one bill, I will use my cell."

-- Web Services, Ah! --

Come to think of it, someone should build me this demo, and I promise to try and work you into a talk at Tech Ed. Connecting those systems....

APAC here I come - And yes it is one track

rdias — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 09:49:00 GMT

Random Thoughts:

* We listened, we asked, we responded, the tracks from last year will be merged into one. Watch out for the call for papers for the Connected Systems Infrastructure (CSI) track. Get scientific and break out those .NET Framework 2.0, Commerce Server, HIS, BizTalk, and Indigo bits if you are thinking about speaking.

* I am wearing my favorite consulting companies' t-shirt tonight. They made girl versions of their swag so that I would wear it. And you know what, I will. Too awesome. If you want me to wear your swag, you had better start making your Ts with Classic Girl Large ;)-. It's a universally good size. All the Tech Ed 04 shirts I made were the same.

* Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo are on the itinerary for the next couple of weeks. And most importantly, San Jose to see my family. My eldest brother Andy will be there from Morrocco. We live in a global society, It is truly amazing.

* Awesome news from eBay today -- More SOAP Calls On The Way. In our continuing effort in support of SOAP, we will be releasing additional SOAP API calls later this month.

Tech Ed: BPI and Connected Systems

rdias — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 22:46:00 GMT

Believe it or not, Tech Ed planning has begun. And I have a question for you. The Connected Systems track last year was very successful. There is a discussion on marrying the content from that track and the BPI track (Think BizTalk and Host Integration Server). What are your thoughts? What problems are you facing? How would you like to see the solutions presented? What did you like/not like about the track last year?

Let us know.

P.S. It blows me away that the one that I thought would be the last standing bachelor is getting hitched and now thinking of where he and his new partner may raise children... You know who you are. Congrats Mr C.V. Here is to your current and future happiness!

Do I know what you are doing?

rdias — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 02:08:00 GMT

Blogging has always lead me to find out about things I didn't already know about. So I figured I would throw this out there...

I track numerous projects for current WSE customers to help drive product direction, customer evidence, etc. There are some really awesome use cases out there span numerous usage scenarios. Almost every day I learn of a new usage scenario/project.

Do I already know about the projects you are working on? Touch basis with me and give me a heads up. I have numerous upcoming marketing events coming up that I plan to leverage customers in. I can't make you any promises, but if you have a compelling story to tell, let me know so that I can help create visibility for the work you are doing. If you shy away from visibility, that is fine too, having a dialog is a great way to provide datapoints on how the techology is being used and drive future product direction. In the end, it can never hurt to have a dialog with the product team to get confirmation or guidance on your project plans.

Tell me what I don't know and remind me even if you think I already know.

Security Drilldown Article - Web Services Enhancements (WSE)

rdias — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 21:15:00 GMT

The long awaited revision of the WSE Security Drilldown article by Don Smith has been posted!

Go get it.

MTOM is now a Candidate Recommendation at the W3C

rdias — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 20:16:00 GMT

Gudge is the man! Thanks for all your hard work. Check out some of his early implementation code and samples.

MTOM (Message Transmission Optimization Mechanism) is now a Candidate Recommendation.

Are you doing WSE work? Better start dialoging with Chris Keyser

rdias — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 02:18:00 GMT

Chris is doing a lot of real implementation work with WSE! He just started blogging, and his content is already intense. We have him slated for a formal article on MSDN for using SCT with virtual endpoints. In the meantime, he is seeding you with knowledge today. Get into the dialog.

Specs committed to be royalty free

rdias — Tue, 24 Aug 2004 04:43:00 GMT

I get this question a lot.

"What are the IP terms associated with the WS-* specifications?"

So we put up a Web site to let people know. Check it out.

What do you identify as?

rdias — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 23:20:00 GMT

Is there such as thing as a Web services developer?

What do you identify as? A SQL dev or a SQL Server dev? Information Systems dev? VB, C#, or Java? J2EE/EJB developer? MSMQ or MQSeries?

Do you identify as a distributed systems developer?

Why? I am curious to know if you would benefit in a trade show that was 100% dedicated to distributed systems development on the Microsoft platform. How do you build services for mulitple client technologies - Smart Client, Portals, Business Processes, and Services?

What primary motivations drive you to a show?