Windows Azure Learning Plan

Overview and Training

Overview and general  information about SQL Azure - what it is, how it works, and where you can learn more.
General Overview (sign-in required, but free)
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/inside-sql-azure.aspx
General Guidelines and Limitations
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee336245.aspx
Microsoft SQL Azure Documentation
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsazure/sqlazure/default.aspx
Samples and Learning
Sources for online and other SQL Azure Training
Free Online Training
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlazure/archive/2010/05/06/10007449.aspx
60-minute Overview (webcast)
https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032458620&CountryCode=US

Architecture

SQL Azure Internals and Architectures for Scale Out and other use-cases.
SQL Azure Architecture
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/inside-sql-azure.aspx
Scale-out Architectures
http://tinyurl.com/247zm33
Federation Concepts
http://tinyurl.com/34eew2w
Use-Cases
http://blogical.se/blogs/jahlen/archive/2010/11/23/sql-azure-why-use-it-and-what-makes-it-different-from-sql-server.aspx
SQL Azure Security Model (video)
http://www.msdev.com/Directory/Description.aspx?EventId=1491
Administration
Standard Administrative Tasks and Tools
Tools Options
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/overview-of-tools-to-use-with-sql-azure.aspx
SQL Azure Migration Wizard
http://sqlazuremw.codeplex.com/
Managing Databases and Login Security
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee336235.aspx
General Security for SQL Azure
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff394108.aspx
Backup and Recovery
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/sql-azure-backup-and-restore-strategy.aspx
More Backup and Recovery Options
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/current-options-for-backing-up-data-with-sql-azure.aspx
Syncing Large Databases to SQL Azure
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sync/archive/2010/09/24/how-to-sync-large-sql-server-databases-to-sql-azure.aspx

Programming

Programming Patterns and Architectures for SQL Azure systems.
How to Build and Manage a Business Database on SQL Azure
http://tinyurl.com/25q5v6g
Connection Management
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/sql-azure-connection-management-in-sql-azure.aspx
Transact-SQL Supported by SQL Azure
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee336250.aspx