Where Can I Get A Token For Windows Azure

Even though this has already been widely blogged and publicized, I still get a high amount of requests asking me how to obtain a Windows Azure token. Whether you work in Microsoft or not, here is the fastest way to get one.

Go to the Windows Azure web site on Microsoft Connect and register. If you have *never* been to Microsoft Connect before, you will have to register and create your profile before getting in the Windows Azure site per se.

Once that is done, you should receive the invitation code by email within 24 hours. After that, feel free to send an email enquiring about your invitation code status to azinvite.

It is very important to note that there are different invitation codes for Windows Azure (cloud storage and hosted services) than for .NET Services and SQL Data Services. They are not interchangeable.

The invitation code for Windows Azure (a five-by-five PID) should be redeemed on https://windows.azure.com (Updated on 12/2/2009, previous URL was:https://lx.azure.microsoft.com).

The invitation code for .NET Services and SQL Data Services (a three-four-four PID) should be redeemed on https://portal.ex.azure.microsoft.com.

(Updated on 12/2/2009) The invitation code for AppFabric (https://netservices.azure.com) is no longer required, and the invitation code for SQL Azure should be redeemed on https://sql.azure.com.