14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has provided a free tool for download designed to simplify leveraging Sync Framework and SQL Azure together. Available via the Microsoft Download Center, the Microsoft Sync Framework Power Pack for SQL Azure November CTP (32-bit) is essentially a plug-in for Visual Studio 2008 Professional SP1 and the tool SQL Azure Data Sync Tool for SQL Server. What the Redmond company is actually offering customers is the SQL Azure provider for Microsoft Sync Framework. According to the software giant, the Microsoft Sync Framework Power Pack for SQL Azure November CTP brings to the table a series of new components set up to kick up a notch the process of synchronizing with SQL Azure.
“This download includes runtime components that optimize performance and simplify the process of synchronizing with the cloud. The Sync Framework Power Pack for SQL Azure contains a database provider for Sync Framework that is specifically tuned for SQL Azure and a stand-alone utility for SQL Server that enables synchronization between an on-premise SQL Server database and SQL Azure. Additionally, the Sync Framework Power Pack for SQL Azure contains a Visual Studio plug-in that demonstrates how to add offline capabilities to applications which synchronize with SQL Azure by using a local SQL Server Compact database,” the Redmond company noted.
There are no less than five components to the Sync Framework Power Pack for SQL Azure, including: SqlAzureSyncProvider, Sql Azure Offline Visual Studio Plug-In, SQL Azure Data Sync Tool for SQL Server, New SQL Azure Events, and Automated Provisioning. As of the start of 2010, Microsoft has graduated the Windows Azure platform from Community technology Preview to commercial release stage. Customers will however be able to run Windows Azure for free in January, even if they upgrade from CTP to full release. Still, the Sync Framework Power Pack for SQL Azure is still in CTP phase.
“Please note that it is very important that you install the 32-bit version of the Microsoft Sync Framework SDK along with this Power Pack for SQL Azure, even if running on a 64-bit machine because the Power Pack for SQL Azure CTP only provides 32-bit support,” Microsoft added.
Microsoft Sync Framework Power Pack for SQL Azure November CTP (32-bit) is available for download here.
Microsoft Sync Framework 2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) is available for download here.
Microsoft Sync Framework 2.0 Redistributable Package is available for download here.