This post is to document my findings when circling back to the Microsoft Azure (Azure) Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform after using Amazon Web Services (AWS) for the last few years, so is a revaluation of the platform after its many upgrades and after use of its primary competitor.
Both Azure and AWS are recognised as being the leaders and visionaries according to the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud IaaS, that was back in May 2014 and is likely still the case now.
During my evaluation, to ensure that I didn’t skip over any new features, I brought myself up-to-speed on Azure by taking the Understanding Windows Azure IaaS training course and building a load balanced website using the following process:
- Create web server
- Deploy and host a sample website on IIS
- Sysprep and create an image of this web server
- Create a clone from this image
- Load Balanced the website hosted on both nodes
- Test
Due to time constraints this post is a high-level summary of the differences of platforms rather than the “nuts and bolts” differences of what are very broad and complex platforms.
Note: Both platforms are constantly changing, so this post is a snapshot as of December 2014.
Microsoft Azure
Pros
- Great User Interface (continuing the theme the company was been built on)
- Adequate scripting via PowerShell
- RESTful API support
- Intuitive if you come from a Microsoft background
- Great Hyper-V interaction with the ability to upload and download VHD disks, etc.
- Quick and easy remote connectivity option in the way of point to site connections (good for remote administration)
- Good Windows backup support services available
- Minute PAYG billing with discounted 6 month and 12 month options with no upfront costs
Cons
- Lack of supported Linux versions available
- Lack of support for Windows roles and server applications supported
- Lack of granularity around security and reporting
- Lack of operational alerting services
- Constrained on number for disks that can be attached depending upon instance size
- Resources constrained on DNS name space
- Only basic networking functionality
- Reasonable range of third-party development services available via the marketplace with varying levels of support, reliability, performance and cost
Summary
Great UI, and intuitive platform but lacks the maturity and offerings of AWS. Ideal IaaS market leading platform for predominantly Microsoft-based solutions with only occasional Linux requirement and basic networking needs.
Amazon Web Services
Pros
- RESTful API support (the foundation of the platform)
- Great scripting via numerous scripting languages and interfaces
- Granular control over storage, network and security and reporting
- Good operational support via alerts, logging and reporting
- Now adequate User Interface (built after and on top of the UI), Amazon are finally playing catchup in this area
- Excellent AWS-integrated range of development services available built for simple managed highly available high-volume consumption at low price points
- Like building using traditional infrastructure components so is flexible to provisioning the most complex solutions with challenging security requirements
- Better DevOps support
- Great range of available Windows and Linux images available.
Cons
- Hourly PAYG billing with discounted options available but upfront long-term (1 and 3 years) commitments needed
- Steep learning curve if you come from a Microsoft background
Summary
Best IaaS market leading platform for agility and for provisioning complex solutions with challenging security requirements, etc. Also, best for third party support and expansion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Azure is a joy to use and ideal to quickly provision a bunch of Windows servers for simple requirements. However, for anything more I would wholeheartedly recommend AWS which offers the flexibility to provision solid comprehensive enterprise-class solutions.
Moving forward I would like to continue this evaluation by including the Google Compute Engine platform for completeness.
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and successful 2015!
Proactive self-starter with a great breadth and depth of technical expertise. Extensive knowledge of cloud, Internet, and security technologies in addition to heterogeneous systems spanning Windows, *nix, virtualisation, application and systems management, networking, and automation. Evangelist of innovative technology, best practice, shrewd operational processes, and quality documentation. With an exceptional work ethic. Professional, diplomatic and approachable, always dependable and striving for customer satisfaction. Able to work well under pressure, independently or within a team, and use own initiative, with excellent communication skills and competence for designing and implementing creative solutions to quality, time and budget.
cloudninjablog 
[…] reported on the comparisons between AWS and Azure back in December 2014 (https://cloudninjablog.wordpress.com/2014/12/24/aws-azure-platform-comparison/) and concluded that Azure is playing catch up. Now, just six months later, I conclude that they have […]
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