14 DAY TRIAL // An updated release of version 2.0 of the software development kit for Windows Azure AppFabric is now available on the Microsoft Download Center. Developers can now grab Windows Azure AppFabric SDK V2.0 CTP February Update and start using it to create applications leveraging Windows Azure AppFabric in the Labs environment.
The update does kick the SDK up a notch, but the fact is that the developer tool continues to be in pre-release stage, and offered as a Community Technology Preview.
“There are a number of enhancements and improvements coming with this release, including:
•New Silverlight-based LABS portal, bringing consistency with the production Windows Azure portal.
•Ability to select either a 128MB or 256MB cache size.
•Ability to dynamically upgrade or downgrade your cache size.
•Improved diagnostics with client side tracing and client request tracking capabilities.
•Overall performance improvements,” revealed Windows Azure Technical Evangelist Wade Wegner.
As developers targeting Microsoft’s Cloud platform undoubtedly already know, the Windows Azure AppFabric SDK 2.0 brings to the table a collection of resources including APIs, tools, documentation, and samples to streamline the development of their projects.
The Microsoft Download Center page for Windows Azure AppFabric SDK V2.0 CTP – February Update also contains instructions that customers can use in order to install the software development kit.
In addition, Wegner provides additional insight into the kit in a post published on his blog.
“When you land on the new portal page you’ll see an experience consistent with the production Windows Azure portal – in fact, this release moves us one step closer to merging the Windows Azure AppFabric portal experiences into the same portal as Windows Azure and SQL Azure,” he notes.
Microsoft Cloud developers are encouraged to download the Windows Azure AppFabric SDK 2.0 CTP February Update as soon as possible, start testing it and provide feedback to the software giant.
The Windows Azure AppFabric SDK 2.0 CTP February Update is available for download here.