Learn IT Today with Sanjay: What is Azure?

When we read about SQL 2014 several times we have found word “Azure”. In today’s discussion we will discuss about “Azure”.

"Azure" is an open and flexible cloud platform that enables user to quickly build, deploy and manage applications across a global network of Microsoft Managed Data Center and user can integrate their public cloud applications with their existing IT environment.

"Azure" delivers a 99.95% monthly SLA and enables us to build and run highly available applications without focusing on the infrastructure. It provides automatic OS and service patching, built in network load balancing and resiliency of hardware failure. It supports a deployment model that enables user to upgrade their application without any downtime.

"Azure" enables us to use any language, framework, or tool to build applications. Features and services are exposed using REST (Representational State Transfer) protocol. The Azure client libraries are available for multiple programming languages.

"Azure" enables us to scale our applications to any size. It is fully automated self-service platform that allows us to provision the resource within minute. Azure is available in multiple data center around the world, enabling us to deploy our application close to our customer.

How to Setup Azure

First install the SDK. (You can search – Azure SDK for Visual Studio 2013)
When you are prompted to run or save the installation file. Click on RUN
In the Web platform window click on Install
After above Installation Open Visual Studio 2013
Click on File Menu and Select New Project
Give the name of the project and select (VB or C#)
Make Sure .Net Framework 4.5 is selected as the target framework
In the new ASP.Net Project dialog box, select MVC or Web Forms and click on Change Authentication
In change Authentication click “No Authentication” box and click OK
Under Azure in the dialog box, leaves the check box selected and the drop down to Web Site and click OK
If you haven’t sign for Azure, Visual Studio 2013 will prompt you to do the same
When you sign In system will prompt for “Configure Windows Azure Settings”, please provide the required details

a.Site Name

b.Region

c.Database Server

13) The site name will take the project name so if you have created the project as “MYEXAMPLE6442” system will make the URL MYEXAMPLE6442@azurewebsites.net. If somebody else is using same URL you will get an indications
14) In the region you can select the data center which is near to you
15) Click OK

In a few seconds Visual Studio will create the web project in the folder you specified with specific region

Write a Code

Create your application with any dummy code/database code
Test your application
Now we are ready for Publish

Publish

In the Web Publish Activity window, click on Publish application to test your site
System will show Publish Web Wizard

a.Provider server name

b.Provide Site Name

c.Provide User Name

d.Provide password

e.Click on Validate Connection (you will get Green Color tick mark on success)

On the successful completion the browser automatically opens the URL of the deployed web site and the application “MYEXAMPLE6442” is running in the Cloud.

I am providing collection of some pictures which will help users to understand the steps