SQL Azure is a database service in the cloud. Based on Microsoft's Windows Azure platform, SQL Azure is well suited for web facing database applications. Are you interested in moving your business applications and data to the cloud but are not sure how to go about it? Look no further; this book covers all you ever wanted to know about taking your relational enterprise data to the cloud using SQL Azure.

This book will show you how to manage SQL Azure using various tools and also guide you in developing enterprise applications and business intelligence solutions. It will take you through migration and synchronization scenarios with a variety of tools, help you in working with Microsoft technology still in incubation, and in leveraging hybrid applications that exist partially in the cloud and partially on the ground.

This step-by-step tutorial begins by providing an overview of Cloud Computing, introducing you to the most significant Cloud Computing implementations. You will then learn the mechanics of signing up and obtaining an account on Microsoft Windows Azure and logging into the portal.

The book then dives deep into SQL Azure, showing you how to provision a SQL Azure Server, and how to create/delete databases as well as set up Firewall rules so that you can access SQL Azure from tools/Client programs. It is then followed by details of how to access SQL Azure using Client and Server APIs.

Other content includes, a comprehensive description of tools required to access SQL Azure and how to use them and how to populate and migrate SQL Azure databases using a variety of tools.

Finally, the book will detail with examples, data-centric applications that leverage a mix of on-site data and Cloud based data, how to synchronize data and extend the applicability of SQL Azure data by disconnected applications on mobile media, and synchronize services for globally distributed data. After covering the topics of services which are in production, the book will then cover future developments as well as a complete update to SQL Azure at the time of writing this book.

A step-by-step guide to design and build Enterprise applications for the cloud

What you will learn from this book

• An easy to understand briefing on Microsoft Windows Azure Platform Services
• Connect to SQL Azure using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
• Create and manipulate objects on SQL Azure using different tools
• Master the different types of Cloud offerings
• Access SQL Azure through best practices using Client and Server API's in VB and C# and using hosted services with user authentication Windows Azure
• Learn how to populate the SQL Azure database using various techniques
• Create Business Intelligence Applications using SSIS and SSRS
• Synchronize databases on SQL Azure with on-site enterprise and compact SQL Servers
• Learn how to write an application to access on-site data from a cloud hosted service
• Get a comprehensive briefing on various updates that have been made to SQL Azure and the projects still in incubation
• Understand the future and evolving programs such as the Houston Project, OData Services, Sync Services, and more built to support SQL Azure and transform it into a global enterprise data platform

Approach

Each chapter starts with a general overview reviewing the software architecture related information or the underpinning programming concepts followed by an example of working with specific examples. This is then followed by a description of the specific software used in the chapter. The topics that require you to write code are fully explained using annotations and the code is presented in both VB and C# (in most cases).

Who this book is written for

If you are a .Net developer, an architect, or a DBA who wants to develop enterprise applications and projects and extend your on-site skills with SQL Azure, then this book is for you.

This book does not assume experience in Windows Azure or SQL Azure, nor is a high level of competency in SQL Server or the .NET Framework and associated technology required. However, a basic understanding of Visual Studio, C#, VB, SQL Servers, XML, web and WCF is required. If you decide to work with SQL Azure, then this book will provide you with the most up to date and practical information.