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.