Windows Azure Learning Plan - Compute
- by BuckWoody
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 the "compute" function of Windows Azure, which includes Configuration Files, the Web Role, the Worker Role, and the VM Role. There is a general programming guide for Windows Azure that you can find here to help with the overall process.
Configuration Files
Configuration Files define the environment for a Windows Azure application, similar to an ASP.NET application. This section explains how to work with these.
General Introduction and Overview
http://blogs.itmentors.com/bill/2009/11/04/configuration-files-and-windows-azure/
Service Definition File Schema
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee758711.aspx
Service Configuration File Schema
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee758710.aspx
Windows Azure Web Role
The Web Role runs code (such as ASP pages) that require a User Interface.
Web Role "Boot Camp" Video
https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032470854&CountryCode=US
Web Role Deployment Checklist
http://blogs.infragistics.com/blogs/anton_staykov/archive/2010/06/30/windows-azure-web-role-deployment-checklist.aspx
Using a Web Role as a Worker Role for Small Applications
http://www.31a2ba2a-b718-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66.com/2010/12/how-to-combine-worker-and-web-role-in.html
Windows Azure Worker Role
The Worker Role is used for code that does not require a direct User Interface.
Worker Role "Boot Camp" Video
https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032470871&CountryCode=US
Worker Role versus Web Roles
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg433012.aspx
Deploying other applications (like Java) in a Windows Azure Worker Role
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mariok/archive/2011/01/05/deploying-java-applications-in-azure.aspx
Windows Azure VM Role
The Windows Azure VM Role is an Operating System-level mechanism for code deployment.
VM Role Overview and Details
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg465398.aspx
The proper use of the VM Role
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/buckwoody/archive/2010/12/28/the-proper-use-of-the-vm-role-in-windows-azure.aspx