Using Azure for Training
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I've seen some people suggest using Azure VMs while doing MS cert training, but I haven't seen many. Nor have I seen any after-action reports on how it went. I'm thinking of getting my MSCE cert (tests 70-410 to 70-414, but I'll probably sub the SQL Server stuff for the 412 test), and use Azure and set up virtual machines for hands-on training. Have any of you done that? Good idea? Bad? It doesn't help that the Azure portal interface is not the user-friendliest of things. I wish they had a push-button for "set up a lab for the MCSE tests". ;P (I've got an MSDN subscription that theoretically includes being able to do that sort of thing with no out-of-pocket.)
We won't sit down. We won't shut up. We won't go quietly away. YouTube and My Mu[sic], Films and Windows Programs, etc.
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I've seen some people suggest using Azure VMs while doing MS cert training, but I haven't seen many. Nor have I seen any after-action reports on how it went. I'm thinking of getting my MSCE cert (tests 70-410 to 70-414, but I'll probably sub the SQL Server stuff for the 412 test), and use Azure and set up virtual machines for hands-on training. Have any of you done that? Good idea? Bad? It doesn't help that the Azure portal interface is not the user-friendliest of things. I wish they had a push-button for "set up a lab for the MCSE tests". ;P (I've got an MSDN subscription that theoretically includes being able to do that sort of thing with no out-of-pocket.)
We won't sit down. We won't shut up. We won't go quietly away. YouTube and My Mu[sic], Films and Windows Programs, etc.
Don't know about the other aspects of Azure for training but Azure SQL Server (the one you pay for) is totally different from "ground-based" SQL servers. They don't tell you this but you do not work with your own server, but rather a virtual server-within-a-server. None of the stuff you normally do using the SQL tools works. Creating a table, creating stored procedures... in fact nothing you learned for ground-based SQL works the same way. For example, all tables must have a clustered index in Azure SQL Server. Obviously I exaggerated a bit - transact-sql statements work but generally Azure is its own incompatible environment. You can't even migrate data easily. So if you want to learn SQL for a ground-based service then do not use Azure!!! Hope this helps, Murray
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Don't know about the other aspects of Azure for training but Azure SQL Server (the one you pay for) is totally different from "ground-based" SQL servers. They don't tell you this but you do not work with your own server, but rather a virtual server-within-a-server. None of the stuff you normally do using the SQL tools works. Creating a table, creating stored procedures... in fact nothing you learned for ground-based SQL works the same way. For example, all tables must have a clustered index in Azure SQL Server. Obviously I exaggerated a bit - transact-sql statements work but generally Azure is its own incompatible environment. You can't even migrate data easily. So if you want to learn SQL for a ground-based service then do not use Azure!!! Hope this helps, Murray
Thanks. I haven't looked too deeply into yet, but the way I understand it is I'd set up a VM and load [whatever] as if it was sitting in a VM on my desk. So, not the Azure SQL...I hope. Just regular one from my MSDN ISOs. (Likewise all the other servers & software)
We won't sit down. We won't shut up. We won't go quietly away. YouTube and My Mu[sic], Films and Windows Programs, etc.
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Thanks. I haven't looked too deeply into yet, but the way I understand it is I'd set up a VM and load [whatever] as if it was sitting in a VM on my desk. So, not the Azure SQL...I hope. Just regular one from my MSDN ISOs. (Likewise all the other servers & software)
We won't sit down. We won't shut up. We won't go quietly away. YouTube and My Mu[sic], Films and Windows Programs, etc.
That's a great idea, especially since you've already bought time through your MSDN subscription. That's how I pay for the SQL server and web sites. They work OK once you get used to them. Please keep posting if you decide to proceed. I'd love to know whether the Azure VM's are "just like the ones in your office" or if they have some funky issues like Azure SQL does. Murray