Getting Started With Azure – Basic Concepts For Developers

We’ve heard about the wonders of a Cloud Platform and the value it creates for businesses globally. The cloud platform is one of the most talked about topics in recent times. It could either be about the applications, platform, or services. If you’re reading this article, chances are that you are probably thinking of implementing a Cloud setup, and Microsoft Azure is probably one of your options. We’ve got something that can help you get started with Microsoft Azure. This article covers the basics of Microsoft Azure and some things to remember before you get started with Azure implementation for your business.

Microsoft Azure is a public cloud platform that offers services and solutions at varying levels. Azure is preferred by administrators, developers, or database administrators to build and transform their products. Azure is a state-of-the-art technology, and we will go on to see how Azure has taken IT to the next level.

Microsoft has showcased its capability in cloud computing by helping football fans connect with Real Madrid over a cloud platform. Microsoft’s Azure brought the stadium closer to over 450 million die-hard Real Madrid fans. Real Madrid prides itself on having a strong fan base. By using the state-of-the-art technology offered by Microsoft, the club acknowledged its fiercely loyal fans from around the world at a personal level. Through this smart digitalized approach, Real Madrid aspired to learn about the fans in order to increase its revenue by customizing marketing initiatives and to reinforcing the club’s presence across the world. How did Real Madrid perform this remarkable, sensitive, and personalized stunt that won the hearts of millions?

How Microsoft Azure helped Real Madrid bring 450 Million fans to the arena

Enrique Uriel, the CEO of Real Madrid, was insistent that the technology aspect is handled by experts, and also went on to say “The Azure platform will help us provide the services we want to offer because it gives us the scalability we need whenever we need it.” 

Azure has a lot more to offer. Here are some of the vital features of Azure that make it one of the most preferred cloud platforms.

WINDOWS AZURE

Codes for Windows Azure are written in the.NET environment. The code operates in Full Trust, so you can continue to work with unmanaged code if necessary. You can put your code in a Web Role or a Worker Role instead of writing an application.

A Web Role allows a single HTTP and HTTPS endpoint to your code and is quite like the ASP.NET application.

A Worker Role runs in the background and exposes a wide selection of networking endpoints. The code communicates with Windows Azure through the REST interphase or .NET libraries.

You can efficiently run the various non-.NET codes on the Azure platform and access information on the Windows Azure platform from other non-.NET applications. While deploying, you are required to package it and upload it to Windows Azure. These codes can also be deployed internally for testing purposes.

SQL AZURE

You can put your database on the cloud through SQL Azure. However, you need a careful and meticulous architectural planning to avoid technical glitches. Through ADO.NET or an ODBC connection, you can communicate with SQL Azure, and there is a connector for PHP as well.

AZURE APPFABRIC

The Azure AppFabric will act like a router and a gateway between the applications on the Azure Platform and item within your LAN. It is also designed to deal with authentication, certificates, Active Directory Federation, etc. The non-.NET applications can smoothly run within the Azure AppFabric as it is in sync with HTTP and REST endpoints. It protects the applications and safely allows anonymous users to access them. It is designed to support a wide range of networking architectures, including multicast and unicast one-way communications and full-duplex bi-directional connections. After the configuration, you can deploy the Azure AppFabric rather than entirely rewriting codes.

DALLA

This is a cloud platform where you can sell and purchase access to various services that run on the Windows Azure Platform. Dallas runs as a CTP and is constantly evolving. Through this, you can provide proxy access to clients so that they can use this instead of XML. This is an option to consider even though it seems like it takes a step back and similar marketplaces haven't done well in the past.

Project Dallas is popular for being an information marketplace as it collates information from various sources at one single location. A variety of information is available on Dallas: real-time data, pictures, images, documents, etc.

Dallas allows the viewers to view the content on the portal and obtain a quick snapshot of the information.

We now know the various services and features of Windows Azure. Here is a detailed synopsis of how each segment functions. Listed below are the factors that make the products popular among users.

START YOUR JOURNEY WITH AZURE – GET YOURSELF A FREE TRIAL

With a free trial, you will receive credit worth $200. You can use this to explore this platform and purchase various services.

Here are a few options for using the credit worth $200.

•  For an entire month, you can run two virtual machines, OR

•  Use it to store 800GB worth of data.

•  Use the Cloud Services to develop and test applications for a week, OR

•  You could run a 100GB SQL Database for a month

All you need to do is login to the Microsoft Account and pay through a credit card. This is for verification, and you won’t be charged during the free trial.

You will have a credit of $200 during your free trial, and you can check your balance on the portal.

GET DOWN TO BUSINESS AND DEPLOY!

Login with your credentials and select from a variety of options to explore the Azure platform. With the free trails and credits, you can better understand the working functionalities.

KEEP LEARNING

The best way to stay on top of the game is to constantly learn about the latest developments in the world of Azure. There are advanced courses you could take up to keep up with the demand in the market. Developers can benefit from the advanced training about Azure.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• Before you zero in on Azure, you need to be sure that the architecture of your application is compatible with your cloud model’s security, latency, network “chattiness,” etc.

• Moving to Azure does not involve a troublesome reconfiguration in codes, and the migration is quite easy; however, modifying existing codes could take some amount of effort.

CONCLUSION

The cloud has evoked interest right from its inception. The cloud platform is constantly undergoing improvements and enhancements to make it as efficient as possible. We have read about the various features of Azure and how it serves as a respite to enterprises with the various services it has to offer. For a more detailed explanation and introduction to this platform, here is a program that will help you learn all you need to know about Azure.