Dev and Test in the Cloud: Explained

Most developers who have MSDN enjoy the benefits of having access to all the tools, software, operating systems, etc, that are included with MSDN subscriptions. However, what many don’t take advantage of is the ability to use the software in WIndows Azure for development and testing purposes.

The following is a guest post from Adam Gallant.

Dev and Test today is the #1 used workload for cloud computing across all different cloud service providers, and it makes great sense:

• You can rapidly provision new resources
• You don’t have to invest in new servers on premises to host these resources
• You pay as you go
• You can try things out that might not be “allowed” in your organization
• You can make use of network resources that your organization can’t spare
• You can leverage a whole new set of services that aren’t present inside your own org
• and many more reasons…

MSDN subscribers get great cloud benefits from Microsoft. As of October 3, 2013, these benefits include the following “credits” (think spending $$) per month that you can use on most anything in Windows Azure, at reduced consumption rates. And you DO NOT NEED TO SUPPLY A CREDIT CARD for this.

Now, this is all wonderful, but what does it mean, how do you get started, and what are some of the scenarios for this.

Well, here’s a webcast (and deck) that I’ve put together to help explain all of this:

So now that Adam has taken care of explaining development and testing in the Cloud, create your dev & test environment in minutes. When you’re ready to go deeper and find out more, take the Introduction to Windows Azure course on Microsoft Virtual Academy and/or work your way through essential Windows Azure concepts – Cloud Variations, Building Connected Apps, and Migrating Applications to the Cloud.