Azure IT Pro Training

Learn about the latest capabilities with the newest Windows Azure release! This Jump Start training focuses on key technical topics including Windows Azure Virtual Machines, Virtual Networks and PaaS implementation for IT Pros.

David Tesar (Azure Technical Evangelist) and David Aiken (Azure Group Technical Product Manager) show how you can use Windows Azure Infrastructure Services, such as Virtual Machines and Virtual Networks, to migrate, extend, run, manage and monitor common workloads in the cloud.

Download the course contest and sit the assessment at no charge at http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/windows-azure-for-it-professionals-jump-start

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Lessons learned from using Azure VMs

Now that Windows Azure IaaS is now generally available, Nuno from partner Aditi, has provided a list of lessons learned from using Azure VMs.

  1. Place each data disk in a single storage account to improve IOPS;
  2. Always use Data Disks for Read/Write intensive operations, never the OS Disk;
  3. Use striped disks to achieve better performance;
  4. Configure Data Disks HostCache for ReadWrite;
  5. Always create VMs inside a Affinity Group or VNET to decrease latency;
  6. Always leverage Availability Sets to get SLA;
  7. Always sysprep your machines;
  8. Never place intensive read/write information on the Windows System Drive for improved performance;
  9. Never place persistent information on the Temporary Drive (D:).

Visit Nuno’s blog for more detail: http://blog.aditi.com/cloud/windows-azure-virtual-machines-lessons-learned/

Windows Azure Partner Training Webinars

Please join us for this series of Partner webinars delivered by our Global Partner Services Team. You will learn about the many new features available in Windows Azure as well as the opportunities for Microsoft Partners.

You may either register for the series or for an individual session.

Session Title Objective Date & Time Registration / Download Link
WINDOWS AZURE OVERVIEW You will receive a high level understanding about all of the services that are part of the Windows Azure platform. 16 May, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
INTRODUCTION TO INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE You will learn about The Cloud Landscape • Types of Cloud offerings • Introduction to Windows Azure VMs • Understanding regions and Affinity groups • Creating Virtual Machines • The Virtual Machine Costing structure • Demo: Host a load balanced ASP.NET application 23 May, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
AZURE STORAGE You will learn about Windows Azure Storage Concepts • Using Tables • Using Blobs • Using Queues • Monitoring storage from Management 30 May, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
MIGRATING WORKLOADS TO AZURE VIRTUAL MACHINES How to deploy apps to VMs to Windows Azure 6 June, 2pm-4pm Webinar, slides and HOL
BUILDING HYBRID APPS You will learn the various scenarios our customers face and what tools and techniques are available. 13 June, 2pm-4pm Webinar and slides
SITE TO SITE VIRTUAL NETWORKS

You will learn about how to setup and configure a Vnet,build hybrid solutions using VPNs to connect to data on premises. A way to reduce your storage and archive costs with a cloud solution that can save you 60 – 80% compared to your current costs?

· A more effective, cost efficient way to manage BIG file archives and repositories (SharePoint)?

· A more effective, cost efficient way to manage the massive amount of content in BIG file shares?

· A way to replace tape as a means of offsite data protection – backup and restore?

20 June, 2pm-4pm Register now >

6 Weeks of Windows Azure Australia

Register for our 6 Weeks of Windows Azure training program to learn how to go from Cloud zero to Cloud hero. Each week will be themed around a different aspect of adopting the cloud – // Design / Build / Test / Market / Sell. And the best bit is … you won’t need to leave your office to take part as we will be delivering the majority through interactive webinars with a smidgen of really impactful sessions which will take place at various places around the country.

We are planning two tracks: Technical and Business. The Microsoft and Industry Speakers are about to be announced from Microsoft, but if you want to be involved as a speaker or as a member of the community, please let us know.

How SaaS Changes and ISVs Business Model

David Chappell, Principal of Chappell & Associates in San Francisco, visited Australia last month to deliver his latest Cloud deck. Part of this presentation was “How SaaS Changes and ISVs Business Model”. David has also recommended some additional reading and recorded a number of short videos to help think through some of the challenges ISVs face when creating software as a service.

Video Series: How SaaS Changes an ISV’s Business, David Chappell

Further reading:

Windows Azure Conf: 14 November 2012

AzureConf Logo

November 14, 2012
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST (which is 3am for Aussies according to timeanddate.com)
Channel 9
Download the .ICS file and add it to your schedule

The Windows AzureConf web site will be updated continually between now and the event, so check the site regularly for session list updates or information pertaining to the event. On the day of the event, the Windows AzureConf web site will have a direct link to the Channel 9 site for the event and hopefully an on demand version for when Australia wakes up.

Get on the Platform
With Windows AzureConf coming to introduce you to creative ways in which Windows Azure can help solve your enterprise, mobile, virtualization, and web development challenges, this is the best time to sign up for a free Windows Azure account. To sign up for a free trial account and to have access to numerous free resources such as Windows Azure Web Sites, click here.

Get Prepared
If you’re new to Windows Azure development and want to get up to speed prior to the event, take a look at the Windows Azure Training Kit. The Training Kit contains dozens of excellent resources on Windows Azure Web Sites, Mobile Services, the Windows Azure Service Bus, Windows Azure Storage, and much more.

Get the Tools
To start developing applications for Windows Azure, visit the Windows Azure Developer Center. It contains a wealth of information on developing Windows Azure solutions using a variety of technologies. Whether you’re using Microsoft.NET, PHP, Node.js, or Python to develop custom web applications, or you’re a mobile solutions developer, there’s information and development resources available.