Summary of New ‘Windows Azure Platform’ features announced at PDC10 Oct. 28th-29th 2010

New Windows Azure Features

State

Description

VM role

Beta in 2010

Eases the migration of existing Windows Server applications to Windows Azure

Extra Small VM

Beta in 2010

For small apps or PoCs

Virtual Network

‘Windows Azure Connect’ is 1st wave

(aka. ‘Project Sydney’)

CTP in 2010

Windows Azure Connect (previously known as “Project Sydney”) enables a simple and easy-to-manage mechanism to set up IP-based network connectivity between on-premises and Windows Azure resources.

Remote Desktop

RTW in 2010

Remote Admin and monitoring

Admin Mode

(Elevated privileges)

RTW in 2010

For small changes such as configuring Internet Information Service (IIS) or installing a Microsoft Software Installer (MSI), Microsoft recommends using the Elevated Privileges admin access feature. This approach is best suited for small changes and enables the developer to retain automated service management at the Guest OS and the application level.

Full IIS Support

RTW in 2010

Enables multiple IIS sites per Web role and the ability to install IIS modules

Multiple WA account  Admins

RTW in 2010

Multiple Windows Live IDs admins

CDN Dynamic Content Caching

In 2011

Windows Azure CDN can be configured to cache content returned from a Windows Azure application

CDN SSL

In 2011

Deliver content via encrypted channels with SSL/TLS

New Windows Azure portal

In 2010

Redesigned Microsoft Silverlight-based Windows Azure portal

New SQL Azure Features

State

Description

SQL Azure Reporting

CTP

Developers can author reports using familiar SQL Server  Reporting Services tools and then easily provision and deploy reports into the cloud.

SQL Azure Data Sync

CTP 2

Enables to synchronize SQL Azure databases across datacenters as well as with on-premises SQL Server.

(Entire databases or specific tables)

Database manager for SQL Azure (aka. Houston)

RTW in 2010

New lightweight, web-based database management and querying capability for SQL Azure databases. I was formerly referred to as “Project Houston”, and allows customers to have a streamlined experience within the web browser without having to download any tools.

New AppFabric Building Blocks

State

Description

AppFabric Cache

CTP at PDC

RTW in 2011

Distributed, in-memory application cache, like Windows Server AppFabric Cache (Velocity) but in windows Azure.

Durable messaging in Service Bus (CTP at PDC)

CTP at PDC

RTW in 2011

Higher enterprise reliability, giving improved delivery assurance for messages to third-parties or mobile devices

Integration (CTP in CY11) Common BizTalk Server integration capabilities

CTP in CY11

Pipeline, transforms, adapters, BAM and rules, etc.

Composition Model and Tools

CTP in CY11

Will help developers compose applications on the Windows Azure Platform with extensions to the .NET Framework and tie them all together through a new Microsoft Visual Studio-based designer experience.

Composition Service

CTP in CY11

Allows developers to take the Composition Model and automate the deployment, configuration, control, monitoring, troubleshooting, reporting and optimization of an application without the usual manual steps.

Other New Features

State

Description

TFS on Windows Azure

CTP In 2011

Visual Studio Team Foundation Server in Windows Azure

Windows Azure MarketPlace

CTP In 2011

A single online marketplace for developers and IT professionals to share, find, buy and sell building block components, training, services, needed to build complete and compelling Windows Azure applications

DataMarket

RTW in 2011

Formerly code-named “Dallas”.  It is really part of the MarketPlace