When migrating applications to the Windows Azure, there are many things that should be considered as not everything is supported. Depending on the app type and features, some things are easy to migrate, while some take more time or are impossible to migrate completely to the cloud.
Here are some generic tips and links that I have collected during Azure compatibility workshop where I assisted Microsoft.
Generic Tips
- Windows Azure Portal
- If you use file system or static files, move them to the Azure Blob Storage. For temporary needs, Local Storage can be used.
- There is no built-in support for e-mail in the Windows Azure. This blog post gives some pointers.
- Azure Pricing Calculator
- Earlier tips from Azure Verkkokurssi (Finnish entries with links)
Debugging & Configuration tips
- Printf(“HERE”) in the Cloud – Simple way for debugging during development (Steve Marx)
- Lightweight Tracing to Windows Azure Tables – Nice trace listener implementation (Steve Marx)
- Multiple configuration support (local / cloud; Anton Staykov)
SQL Server / SQL Azure
- Most of the “normal”, relational databases can be migrated with relative ease. Advanced features, like CLR-procedures and Service Broker are not supported yet.
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) doesn’t utilize normal menus much, as they are not yet supported in the SQL Azure. Be prepared to use/learn T-SQL scripting for creating tables and users.
- SQL Azure Migration Wizard
Azure Web Deployment
- Web Deployment requires that Remote Desktop is enabled: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg443832.aspx
- Enabling Web Deploy for Windows Azure Web Roles with Visual Studio (Note: Limited to one role; not for production use)
Tools
- Windows Azure Tools 1.4 (Bette r MVC3-support, multiple configurations, ASP.NET Universal Providers)
- AzureStorageExplorer – Tool for viewing and managing all types of Azure Storage objects
- CloudBerryExplorer for Azure – Tool for copying files to/from the blob storage
Joni Moilanen / QualityDriven Oy
