Cloud Computing
· Define cloud computing.
· Learn the benefits of cloud computing.
· Understand the different types of cloud computing services.
· Explore where computing clouds might exist.
· Hear about potential concerns with cloud computing.
· Learn where cloud computing can and cannot be applied.
· Place Windows Azure in light of general cloud computing.
· Know how Windows Azure compares to other cloud environments.
Windows Azure Architecture
· See a simple Windows Azure application.
· Learn about the Microsoft data centers.
· Explore the hardware, servers and virtualization (the Fabric) that host cloud applications and data.
· Understand the role of the Fabric Controller in managing the Windows Azure cloud.
· Know the general architecture and components of the Windows Azure Platform.
· Understand the tools used to create and deploy Windows Azure services and data stores.
Windows Azure Web Roles
· Explore the purpose of Windows Azure Web roles.
· Understand how to create Web roles in a cloud service project.
· See how to configure a Web role.
· Learn how to test Web roles run in the Dev Fabric.
· Start exploring the Windows Azure API.
Local Storage
· Examine Windows Azure local storage.
· See how local storage differs from normal server file systems.
· Learn how to configure local storage.
· Understand the limitations of local storage and where/when to use it.
· Explore the API to access local storage.
· Learn about Windows Azure Drive (formerly X-Drive).
Windows Azure Storage and Queues
· Understand the purpose of Windows Azure Storage.
· Learn how to create a Windows Azure Storage account.
· Explore Windows Azure Storage costs.
· Understand Dev Storage, how to use it, and how it is different from Windows Azure Storage.
· See how to access Windows Azure Storage using both the REST API and the Storage Client Library.
· Examine Windows Azure Storage Queues.
· Learn how to get messages in and out of Windows Azure Queues.
Blob Storage
· Understand the rationale for using blob storage.
· Explore how to access blob storage with both the Storage Client and REST API.
· Examine blob storage containers and how they are used to organize and control access to blobs.
· Learn about the different types of blobs: block and page blobs.
Table Storage
· Explore Windows Azure Storage’s structural data service.
· Understand the reason for table storage.
· Examine the differences between table storage and traditional relational databases (as exhibited by SQL Azure).
· Learn how to access table storage with both the Storage Client and REST API.
· Understand entities as they relate to table storage.
· Examine how to save and retrieve entities in table storage.
· See how to use table storage for session management in Windows Azure Web applications.
Worker Roles
· Explore the purpose of Windows Azure worker roles.
· Understand how to create worker roles in a cloud service project.
· See how to configure a worker role.
· Learn how to test worker roles run in the Dev Fabric.
· Learn how to use Windows Azure Storage queues and messages to communicate with worker roles.
· Explore how to setup worker role endpoints.
· Learn how to communicate with worker role internal and input endpoints.
SQL Azure
· Learn what SQL Azure is and why you want to use it.
· Understand SQL Azure in comparison to SQL Server and Windows Azure table storage.
· Learn how to provision a SQL Azure server and databases.
· Examine costs associated with SQL Azure.
· See how to use familiar tools and APIs to work in SQL Azure.
· Explore how to create and manage database objects in SQL Azure.
· Know how to limit SQL Azure access.
· Understand options for performing database backups.
· See how to migrate data to SQL Azure.
Diagnostics and Logging
· Learn how to accomplish debugging and logging in Windows Azure.
· Examine Windows Azure Diagnostic Service.
· Understand the role of the MonAgentHost process in the diagnostic service.
· Learn how to configure the diagnostic service.
· See how to transfer diagnostic data to Windows Azure Storage.
