This is one in a series of posts on a Windows Azure Learning Plan. You can find the main post here. This one deals with what an Architect needs to know about Windows Azure.
General Architectural Guidance
Overview and general information about Azure - what it is, how it works, and where you can learn more.
Cloud Computing, A Crash Course for Architects (Video)
http://www.msteched.com/2010/Europe/ARC202
Patterns and Practices for Cloud Development
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff898430.aspx
Design Patterns, Anti-Patterns and Windows Azure
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ignitionshowcase/archive/2010/11/27/design-patterns-anti-patterns-and-windows-azure.aspx
Application Patterns for the Cloud
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kashif/archive/2010/08/07/application-patterns-for-the-cloud.aspx
Architecting Applications for High Scalability (Video)
http://www.msteched.com/2010/Europe/ARC309
David Aiken on Azure Architecture Patterns (Video)
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/architectsrule/archive/2010/09/09/arcast-tv-david-aiken-on-azure-architecture-patterns.aspx
Cloud Application Architecture Patterns (Video)
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bobfamiliar/archive/2010/10/19/cloud-application-architecture-patterns-by-david-platt.aspx
10 Things Every Architect Needs to Know about Windows Azure
http://geekswithblogs.net/iupdateable/archive/2010/10/20/slides-and-links-for-windows-azure-platform-session-at-software.aspx
Key Differences Between Public and Private Clouds
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kadriu/archive/2010/10/24/key-differences-between-public-and-private-clouds.aspx
Microsoft Application Platform at a Glance
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jmeier/archive/2010/10/30/microsoft-application-platform-at-a-glance.aspx
Windows Azure is not just about Roles
http://vikassahni.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/windows-azure-is-not-just-about-roles/
Example Application for Windows Azure
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff966482.aspx
Implementation Guidance
Practical applications for the architect to consider
5 Enterprise steps for adopting a Platform as a Service
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/davidmcg/archive/2010/12/02/5-enterprise-steps-for-adopting-a-platform-as-a-service.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
Performance-Based Scaling in Windows Azure
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/gg232759.aspx
Windows Azure Guidance for the Development Process
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/eugeniop/archive/2010/04/01/windows-azure-guidance-development-process.aspx
Microsoft Developer Guidance Maps
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jmeier/archive/2010/10/04/developer-guidance-ia-at-a-glance.aspx
How to Build a Hybrid On-Premise/In Cloud Application
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ignitionshowcase/archive/2010/11/09/how-to-build-a-hybrid-on-premise-in-cloud-application.aspx
A Common Scenario of Multi-instances in Windows Azure
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windows-azure-support/archive/2010/11/03/a-common-scenario-of-multi_2d00_instances-in-windows-azure-.aspx
Slides and Links for Windows Azure Platform Best Practices
http://geekswithblogs.net/iupdateable/archive/2010/09/29/slides-and-links-for-windows-azure-platform-best-practices-for.aspx
AppFabric Architecture and Deployment Topologies guide
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/appfabriccat/archive/2010/09/10/appfabric-architecture-and-deployment-topologies-guide-now-available-via-microsoft-download-center.aspx
Windows Azure Platform Appliance
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/appliance/
Integrating Cloud Technologies into Your Organization
Interoperability with Open Source and other applications; business and cost decisions
Interoperability Labs at Microsoft
http://www.interoperabilitybridges.com/
Windows Azure Service Level Agreements
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/sla/
