Introduction
Nowadays, many .NET developers are integrating cloud computing
technology such as Windows Azure into their web applications. Windows Azure has
completely changed the way in which the applications are deployed and managed.
Advanced .NET developers extensively make use of Azure
framework. However, many beginners are keen to master the concepts behind this
new technology. But they don't have access to reliable resources other than
online articles which are spread across the web. Windows Azure Step by Step by
Roberto Brunetti is one of the latest titles released by Microsoft, which
attempts to provide a comprehensive coverage of all the concepts associated
with Windows Azure.
Inside the Book
Chapters 1 and 2 examine the concept of Cloud Computing and the
Windows Azure Platform. While Chapter 3 examines the steps required to create a
Web Role Project, Chapter 4 provides a detailed overview of Storage related
concepts such as Local Storage, Blob APIs including the steps required to
create a Windows Azure Storage Account and also a brief look at the Windows
Azure Management Tool.
Chapters 5 and 6 examine Table, Queue Services and concepts
related to Affinity Group, Content Delivery Network, Certificates, Diagnostics
including Live ID and Subscriptions. Chapter 7 examines the components related
to building an AppFabric Solution such as Service Bus, Direct Connection,
Bindings and HTTP for Management URI. Chapter 8 provides detailed coverage on the
development of Windows Azure Solutions using WCF Data Services and OData.
With Windows Azure, you can develop database oriented
applications using SQL Azure, which you will learn in Chapter 9. The author has
provided a comprehensive coverage of the various concepts such as creation of
database server in the Cloud and SQL Azure Migration Wizard.
Chapter 10 examines the creation of a storage account
project including the usage of HTTP and REST. You will also learn the steps
required to access the storage account from PHP. The final chapter provides an
outline of the various features of a Multitier Solution and the concepts
related to Data Access Layer and Service Agent.
I am a bit disappointed after going through the book because
the author doesn't provide the steps required to deploy a Windows Azure
application. The author should also provide the process for obtaining Azure web
space and the relevant steps to deploy an application from your system.
Conclusion
The author has provided a comprehensive explanation of
concepts with relevant screenshots. Each chapter ends with a short summary and
a quick reference, which provides the relevant steps you need to perform in order
to achieve important tasks.
From my point of view, the book will be useful for beginners
who would like to learn Windows Azure without spending too much time. It will
be also useful for advanced level developers as they can use it as a ready
reference reckoner. The book can also be used to teach short term computer
courses on Windows Azure.
About the Reviewer
Anand Narayanaswamy (ASPInsider) is the
author of Community
Server Quickly. He works as an independent consultant based in Trivandrum,
India and runs www.learnxpress.com
and www.dotnetalbum.com.
About the Book
|
Title
|
Windows Azure Step by Step
|
|
|
Author
|
Roberto Brunetti
|
|
Publisher
|
Microsoft Press
|
|
ISBN - 13
|
978-0735649729
|
|
Edition
|
May 2011
|
|
Pages
|
344
|
|
Price
|
$34.99
|
|
Amazon Price
|
$21.84
|
|
Rating
|
****
|
