Hodentek

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The what, why and how of Microsoft Azure Stack

Microsoft Azure Stack is a new hybrid cloud platform which can be used to deliver Azure Services from the customers own datacenter. It is in preview now, which means you can try it for free after providing some of your information:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/azure-stack/try/

Read about the Azure Stack ecosystem

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/azure-stack/ecosystem/

Watch this video which explains Microsoft Azure Stack at length:

You can learn more about Azure Stack at Microsoft Ignite at Atlanta, September 26-30.

Review the session stack here:

iPhone 7 earbuds and NFMI

You know Near Field Communication (NFC) but you may not know that NFMI is also hot. NFMI stands for Near Field Magnetic Induction. The iPhone 7 earbuds use NFMI so that they do not require a wire running between them. The company which specializes in NFC goes by the name NXP Semiconductors in Holland also makes the NFMI.

The NFMI chip uses less power than an equivalent Bluetooth Low Power device and its absorption by the body tissues is ten thousand times less than Bluetooth, which makes it an attractive alternative. Because of this low power operation, its range is limited to about a meter making it just appropriate for connecting the two earbuds, and of course, it is tiny with a 10.4 mm sq area.

The ear is an extremely sensitive area of the body where other body functions can also be monitored and, of course, it has overly sensitive parts. Anything to reduce damage from anything including RF damage is most desired. The new NFC chip also has a two-axis accelerometer embedded, another very desirable feature is, it is also waterproof.

I have only summarized this excellent coverage of the article by Colin Johnson and I recommend you read this article which appeared on EETimes.

Here is a short video of the NxH2280 demonstration.

This schematic of the NxH2280 chip appeared in the article.

NFMI_00

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Connectivity Options for Microsoft Azure SQL Database

There are many drivers and libraries that client programs can use to connect to Azure SQL Database or Microsoft SQL Server.

The following are the language options:

ADO.NET
Java using JDBC on Windows
PHP
Node.js
Python
Ruby

This enables developers to use their language of choice and appropriateness of thei application to choose.

ADO.NET related specifics here:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/sql-database-develop-dotnet-simple/

Microsoft JDBC related information here:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt484311.aspx

Microsoft Node.js driver for SQL Server here:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt652093.aspx

Connecting with PHP use Microsoft PHP driver for SQL Server here:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dn865013.aspx

Connect using Python:
Get Python SQL Driver
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt652092.aspx

Connect using Ruby:Get Ruby driver for SQL Server here;
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt652092.aspx

I have described in detail with examples connecting to SQL Azure (as it was called then) using ADO.NET, Java and PHP in my book when SQL Azure was still in Beta:

Oracle's purchase of NetSuite

When I read the news couple of days ago, I was interested in knowing why Oracle wants to buy NetSuite. Of course I guess there may be other reasons for this purchase.

I was interested in learning what unique features of NetSuite would make it attractive for a buyer. I just came across this site , http://gurussolutions.com/en/cloud-products/netsuite > which seems to answer this question.

Guru's site described the features why NetSuite would be desirable:

Efficient
Integrated
Visibility with good dashboards etc
Browser and mobile accessible from anywhere
Global
Adaptable and
Up to date with automatic upgrades with latest innovations

I did get the feeling that the same list things has been offered by other cloud vendors as well for quite some time. It just appeared to me like any other cloud vendor. I could be wrong, and perhaps I did not hit the right site to get answers.

Read more about NetSuite vis-a-vis Oracle buy

https://www.trustradius.com/products/netsuite/reviews

http://fortune.com/2016/09/07/t-rowe-price-vote-against-oracle-netsuite-deal/

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oracle-earnings-clouded-by-netsuite-acquisition-uncertainty-2016-09-14

Video showing why BM Online chose NetSuite:

Azure SQL Database is also for Apps

It is certainly the most sought after cloud based database for enterprise applications, but it is also the managed cloud database for app developers. You can easily build and maintain apps with a high degree of productivity. The intelligence is built-in that learns and adopts to maximize performance, reliability and other metrics. It is indeed the excellent choice for app builders to rely upon.

If you like you can start for free here: <https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/sql-database/>

Why would app developers would go for SQL Database?

In addition to its long history you have these unique features:

Azure SQL Database learns and adopts to your unique app patterns

SQLDBforApp_00

Scaling performance on the fly is easy

SQLDBforApp_01

Build multi-tenant apps with customer isolation

SQLDBforApp_02

Build apps with the development tool you like best

SQLDBforApp_03

Build apps with data protection and security enhancements

SQLDBforApp_04

Read more here:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/sql-database-learn-and-adapt/