Migrate Server Applications to Cloud Using VM Role on Windows Azure

The Windows Azure team has introduced VM Role and elevated privilege to make the process of migrating existing Windows Server applications to Windows Azure easier and faster.

To join the beta, log on to the Management Portal, click Home, and then click Beta Programs.

The pricing model for the Windows Azure VM role is the same as the existing pricing model for Web and Worker roles. Customers will be charged at an hourly rate depending on the compute instance size. The license for the Windows Server 2008 R2 that you us to create the VM is covered through the Windows Azure VM Role licensing. For more details, see Windows Azure Compute.

Elevated Privileges let you configure IIS or install your applications using an MSI and will be available soon.

About VM Role on Windows Azure

A Virtual Machine (VM) role runs an image—a virtual hard disk (VHD)—of a Windows Server 2008 R2 virtual machine. This VHD is created using an on-premises Windows Server machine, that you upload to Windows Azure.

You have full control of the operating system image. Administrators can remote into the virtual machine of all roles to perform maintenance and troubleshooting tasks.

Once it’s stored in the cloud, the VHD can be loaded on demand into a VM role and executed. You can configure and maintain the OS and use Windows Services, scheduled tasks etc. in the VM role.

Running a VM role is not supported in the compute emulator.

For more information about how to develop using VM Role, see Developing a VM Role in Windows Azure on MSDN.

About Elevated Privileges

New Elevated Privileges will be available soon for the Web and Worker role for you to develop, deploy, and run you cloud applications. For small changes like configuring IIS or installing an MSI we recommend using the elevated privilege admin access feature.

The Web role will also include Full IIS functionality, which enables multiple IIS sites per Web role and the ability to install IIS modules.

Why You Should Migrate to Web, Worker Roles

While the VM role offers additional control and flexibility, the Windows Azure Web and Worker roles offer additional benefits over the VM role.

• When using Web and Worker Roles lets you focus primarily on their application, and not the underlying operating system.
• Use Visual Studio is optimized for creating, testing, and deploying Web and Worker roles – all in a matter of minutes. You work at a higher level of abstraction with Web and worker roles.
• Windows Azure can automatically update the underlying operating system when using Web and worker roles. In VM Role, you are responsible for updates.
• In order to scale, you should not store state inside your VM Role. Instead, use Azure storage or SQL Azure.

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Bruce D. KyleISV Architect Evangelist | Microsoft Corporation