The widespread use of the Internet and the development of related technologies have made it possible to use distributed computing even by ordinary users of the global network. Distributed computing divides the work of one computer between a group of machines connected to it over a network. Now, the Windows Azure platform has also appeared, allowing you to remotely use the capabilities of Microsoft servers for these purposes.
The platform itself is hosted on servers in Microsoft data centers. The user can remotely use it to solve a fairly wide range of practical tasks - from creating websites to designing complex corporate systems. Windows Azure can be useful to both end users and developers and includes three basic components - the OS itself for distributed ("cloud") computing Windows Azure, the Microsoft SQL Azure database management system and the AppFabric application creation environment. However, depending on the needs of the user, it is possible to assemble the necessary set of components of a narrower purpose from them and pay for just such a set.
You can purchase access to Windows Azure in the required configuration on the website of this platform created by Microsoft Corporation. It contains a calculator that allows you to select the services you need, calculate their cost and pay for access without leaving this site. The link to the Russian-language version of the online calculator is given below this article, and difficulties with its use are unlikely to arise if you know how you are going to use Windows Azure. Otherwise, you can get free trial access to the new cloud platform, get acquainted with its capabilities and make a decision on how to use it. The link to the design of the trial version is located in the upper right corner of the calculator pages.
To purchase access, you will need to register on the Windows Azure website and select one of the tariff plans. You can pay only for the time of connection to Microsoft servers, or pay for half-year access at lower rates. You should choose a more economical option based on the planned intensity of using the cloud platform.
