Microsoft Windows Azure and cloud computing

Windows Server 2012 boosts IT capabilities

With Windows Server 2012, Microsoft is packing an unprecedented breadth of tools into its core enterprise platform – much more, in fact, than it has in in any previous version.

The latest edition serves up new PowerShell features, much imp...  E-Chapter

Can Microsoft carry its stack to the cloud?

Cloud computing has forced organizations to rethink their approach to IT, none more so than industry giant Microsoft. But how exactly is the tech titan reacting to this radical shift in IT, and what does it mean for you? This e-book discusses Microso...  E-Chapter

Why you should think twice about Windows Azure SQL Database

Expert Serdar Yegulalp explains why Windows Azure SQL Database may not be such a great fit for your IT shop after all. Learn what to watch out for.  Feature

The pros of Windows Azure SQL Database

What are the pros of choosing Windows Azure SQL Database over more traditional infrastructure? Serdar Yegulalp shares his knowledge on the subject.  Feature

Microsoft signals 'Cloud OS' ambitions with Windows Server 2012

With Windows Server 2012 out, Microsoft solidified its position as a cloud-oriented company. Experts wonder if the move will resonate with customers.  Feature

Windows cloud spotlight

Microsoft's Azure and lower operating costs are driving the rapid adoption of cloud services by enterprises. Find out more about what's making cloud the next big thing.  Feature

Five Quick Links: Windows Azure

Here are some quick tips on Windows Azure -- Microsoft's Platform-as-a-Service product -- that help explain what Azure means for the future of Windows Server.  Five Quick Links

Mark Minasi: Windows Server could aid Microsoft's cloud ambitions

Windows expert Mark Minasi discusses the future of Windows Server 2008 and where Microsoft's cloud strategy fits into the mix.  Q&A

Q&A: Microsoft positions Hyper-V for cloud-minded IT

Is the hypervisor war already over? Probably not, but Microsoft contends that its shift toward an app management approach to virtualization will put it ahead of VMware in the end.  Q&A

Microsoft's latest cloud message to IT: Manage or be managed

As System Center continues to shift toward a more cloud-friendly approach, it might be time for IT pros to become more flexible in their management practices as well.  Column

The Windows admin’s guide to all things VMware

The title says it all. This overview provides resources and analysis on VMware’s most important virtualization technologies for the server, desktop and cloud.  Learning Guide

New releases take center stage at Microsoft TechEd 2010

IT author Paul Ferrill offers his take on some of the Microsoft technologies making news this week, both in and out of the cloud.  Special Report

IT shops seeking IaaS consider Windows Azure Infrastructure Services

IT shops in the midst of determining their cloud strategies see Microsoft’s Windows Azure Infrastructure Services as a viable IaaS alternative to AWS.  News | 17 Apr 2013

Microsoft advances Azure management, software-defined networking plans

Windows Azure and software-defined networking were main points of conversation at Microsoft Management Summit 2013.  News | 08 Apr 2013

The greening of Windows Azure: Microsoft ready to take on AWS

Microsoft's Windows Azure strategy -- integration with System Center 2012 and a low price -- make it a viable alternative to AWS for cloud computing.  News | 28 Feb 2013

Microsoft cloud computing: Windows Azure cloud data privacy explained

Microsoft uses language in its Windows Azure cloud data privacy policy to reserve rights on customer data that companies need to carefully consider.  News | 06 Feb 2013

AWS undermines Azure with new PowerShell, Windows Server 2012 features

Amazon Web Services adds Windows Server 2012 and PowerShell features to its public cloud in a bid to undercut Microsoft Azure.  News | 17 Dec 2012

Microsoft plays 'follow the leader,' cuts Azure cloud storage costs

In a move to remain competitive, after Amazon and Google cut cloud storage rates, Microsoft follows suit, slashing Azure storage by 28%.  News | 06 Dec 2012

Microsoft cuts the price of Azure and Office 365

Microsoft has cut the price of Windows Azure by 12%, and Office 365 by 20%, as competition in the cloud computing market increases  Cloud computing software | 16 Mar 2012

Azure outage may have cost Microsoft some public cloud customers

Microsoft's Windows Azure outage wasn't as bad as it could have been, but the company's post mortem should have come out quicker, Azure customers say.  News | 16 Mar 2012

Microsoft Azure prices drop following Amazon, Google cloud rate cuts

Three major cloud vendors slashed rates in one week, claiming the cuts were coincidental. Others say this signals a downward pricing trend.  News | 13 Mar 2012

Leap year 2012 outage hits Microsoft Windows Azure

A leap year date glitch caused a 12-hour outage to Microsoft customers' ability to manage Windows Azure services. Does anyone remember Y2K?  News | 29 Feb 2012

Windows Azure Active Directory steps out of the shadows

As Windows Azure Active Directory moves into general availability, we look at how it can help admins manage user authentication in the cloud.  Tip

Big data tools give enterprises more data analytics options

Big data means big business when teamed with cloud. Using a big data appliance is convenient but could get costly for the average enterprise.  Tip

Re-defining the Windows Azure cloud computing message

A weak marketing message may be behind some Windows Azure confusion and slower-than-expected adoption rates.  Tip

Windows Azure Mobile Services creates backends for Windows 8, iPhone

Not all development teams have the coding skills to manage multiple mobile devices used in the enterprise. Windows Azure Mobile Services can help.  Tip

Windows Azure Services allows multi-tenant IaaS cloud

The latest Windows Azure Services for Windows Server preview enables cloud hosting providers to offer multi-tenant Windows Azure IaaS subscriptions.  Tip

Windows Azure and Amazon EC2: Cloud computing face-off

Microsoft's cloud computing competitor is younger than Amazon's EC2. Azure's made strides, but is it enough to be crowned cloud computing king?  Tip

Windows Azure Active Directory enables single sign-on with cloud apps

Linking Active Directory to multi-tenanted Windows Azure apps can simplify user sign-on in the cloud.  Tip

Speeding Windows into the cloud: Move your DMZ to EC2 in four steps

The move to the cloud can be a scary leap, but some aspects of a datacenter, like the DMZ, are ready to move to Amazon's EC2 offering.  Tip

Three questions to ask when considering Microsoft Azure

Is Microsoft Azure a no-brainer cloud choice or impossible to adopt? Ask these three questions to determine if the cloud platform is right for you.  Tip

Project Concero and its role in Microsoft's cloud strategy

What is Microsoft's Project Concero, anyway? In short, it offers a way to control and delegate virtual machine and hypervisor resources.  Tip

Consultant offers tips on Amazon S3 vs. Azure cloud storage

Consultant Marc Staimer offers practical advice on comparing Amazon S3 and Windows Azure Storage with use cases for enterprise IT shops in mind.  Podcast

System Center keys in on cloud management

Microsoft's Robert Reynolds discusses the latest System Center releases and how they tie into the company's overall cloud strategy.  Podcast

Recapping the year in Windows, looking ahead to 2011

Consultant and author Jonathan Hassell calls in to discuss the past year in IT and previews what's to come for Windows and other Microsoft technologies.  Podcast

Windows Azure Active Directory steps out of the shadows

As Windows Azure Active Directory moves into general availability, we look at how it can help admins manage user authentication in the cloud.  Tip

Consultant offers tips on Amazon S3 vs. Azure cloud storage

Consultant Marc Staimer offers practical advice on comparing Amazon S3 and Windows Azure Storage with use cases for enterprise IT shops in mind.  Podcast

IT shops seeking IaaS consider Windows Azure Infrastructure Services

IT shops in the midst of determining their cloud strategies see Microsoft’s Windows Azure Infrastructure Services as a viable IaaS alternative to AWS.  News

Microsoft advances Azure management, software-defined networking plans

Windows Azure and software-defined networking were main points of conversation at Microsoft Management Summit 2013.  News

The greening of Windows Azure: Microsoft ready to take on AWS

Microsoft's Windows Azure strategy -- integration with System Center 2012 and a low price -- make it a viable alternative to AWS for cloud computing.  News

Why you should think twice about Windows Azure SQL Database

Expert Serdar Yegulalp explains why Windows Azure SQL Database may not be such a great fit for your IT shop after all. Learn what to watch out for.  Feature

The pros of Windows Azure SQL Database

What are the pros of choosing Windows Azure SQL Database over more traditional infrastructure? Serdar Yegulalp shares his knowledge on the subject.  Feature

Windows Server 2012 boosts IT capabilities

With Windows Server 2012, Microsoft is packing an unprecedented breadth of tools into its core enterprise platform – much more, in fact, than it has in in any previous version.

The latest edition serves up new PowerShell features, much imp...  E-Chapter

Microsoft cloud computing: Windows Azure cloud data privacy explained

Microsoft uses language in its Windows Azure cloud data privacy policy to reserve rights on customer data that companies need to carefully consider.  News

AWS undermines Azure with new PowerShell, Windows Server 2012 features

Amazon Web Services adds Windows Server 2012 and PowerShell features to its public cloud in a bid to undercut Microsoft Azure.  News