14 DAY TRIAL // Customers looking to embrace Microsoft’s Cloud can first test drive application deployment and management scenarios on Windows Azure using a free resource from the Redmond company. They’ll need to download “Deploying and Managing Windows Azure Applications Evaluation” while trying to ignore the official label for obvious reasons.
“In this evaluation, users will follow a step-by-step guide to deploy a sample application to Windows Azure and then use System Center Operations Manager to monitor and manage that application,” reads an excerpt of the download’s description.
Obviously, customers will need to sign up for a Windows Azure Platform Trial ahead of starting the actual testing process. Microsoft continues to offer free trials of the Windows Azure, but users need to watch their traffic, as they’ll get billed after specific usage limitations are surpassed.
With the “Deploying and Managing Windows Azure Applications Evaluation,” the software giant is providing step-by-step guidance on how to put an app in the Cloud and administer it using System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2.
“System Center enables IT Professionals to use existing skills and tools to monitor and manage applications on Windows Azure without purchasing additional hardware or software,” the Redmond company added.
“The Windows Azure Application Monitoring Management Pack bridges the gap between System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 and applications running on Windows Azure, enabling IT Pros to use System Center Operations Manager to manage applications on Windows Azure.”
In addition to the System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 VHD, the download also contains the Windows Azure Application Monitoring Management Pack, as well as the Windows Azure Software Development Kit and Tools for Visual Studio.
Customers will need to be already running Windows Server 2008 R2, as Hyper-V is necessary to power the System Center Operations Manager 2007 R2 VHD. They’ll also need to give the virtual machine some 8 GB of RAM.