Creating Applications by Using a VM Role in Windows Azure
Updated: March 8, 2011
[This topic provides preliminary content for the beta release of the Windows Azure VM role feature. To apply for participation in the beta, log on to the Management Portal, click Home, and then click Beta Programs.]
Use the links on this page as a jumpstart to understanding what to consider when planning and designing VM role applications for Windows Azure. These links come from across Microsoft’s various content providers. This page will be updated periodically when new content is available, so check back often to see what’s new.
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Articles Overview of the Windows Azure VM Role Provides information that helps you understand the basic workings of a VM role. Why Would I Use a VM Role in My Application? The VM role type is one of three role types available for applications developed for Windows Azure. You must ensure that the VM role type is right for your application before you start the development process. Developing a Server Image for a VM Role in Windows Azure When you create an application using the VM role type, you are responsible for creating, configuring, and managing the operating system image that is deployed to Windows Azure. This section provides information and procedures that help you create the server image. Uploading VHDs for a VM Role in Windows Azure After you create or change the server image, you must upload the virtual hard disk (VHD) to Windows Azure. This section provides information and procedures to create certificates, upload VHDs, and create and deploy the service model. Changing the Server Image for a VM Role in Windows Azure You can make changes to the server image that is used for your VM role instances in Windows Azure by using a differencing VHD. This section provides information and procedures for creating a differencing VHD and for changing the configuration of the service model to implement the change in Windows Azure. You can use a combination of the staging deployment environment in Windows Azure, the Set-RoleInstanceStatus PowerShell cmdlet, and a remote desktop connection to test your VM role instances. This section provides more information about testing a VM role. The VM role in Windows Azure allows you to run a customized instance of Windows Server 2008 R2 in Windows Azure. In this hands-on lab, you will explore VM roles and you will learn how to create custom operating system images that you deploy to Windows Azure. A hosted service in Windows Azure is built from one or more roles. A role defines a component that may run in the execution environment; within Windows Azure, a service may run one or more instances of a role. A service may be comprised of one or more types of roles, and may include multiple roles of each type. This website provides many resources for installing and configuring the Windows Server operating system.
Videos Inside Windows Azure Virtual Machines (39:40) This talk dives deeper into the resources that are available within a Virtual Machine (VM) in Windows Azure. Migrating and Building Apps for Windows Azure with VM Role and Admin Mode (60:00) Learn how to run your existing applications on Windows Azure using the VM role and Admin Mode. Best practices will be demonstrated for building and uploading customized images of the operating system, deploying and managing services using those images, and automating configuration using Admin Mode and the service model. |
Blog Posts The Proper Use of the VM Role in Windows Azure Buck Woody, a Windows Azure technical solution professional, explains considerations for when a VM role is right for your application in Windows Azure. Tools Get Windows Azure Tools for Visual Studio or download the Windows Azure SDK separately to start building and debugging applications for Windows Azure. The Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) is designed to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), system builders, and corporate IT professionals deploy Windows onto new hardware. The Hyper-V role in Windows Server 2008 R2 provides software infrastructure and basic management tools that you can use to create and manage a virtualized server computing environment. How to Use Sysprep: An Introduction Sysprep is a tool designed for corporate system administrators, OEMs, and others who need to deploy the operating system on multiple computers. After performing the initial setup steps on a single system, you can run Sysprep to prepare the image for deployment. Appendix: Tools and APIs for Virtual Hard Disks This appendix includes information about the tools and APIs that you can use as you work with virtual hard disks (VHDs). Sources of New Virtual Machines You can create new virtual machines from many different sources.
Forums VM Role – Windows Azure Platform forums Find the latest questions and answers that involve using the VM role on the Windows Azure platform forums. |
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