Overview

Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET can be hosted in Windows Azure using virtual machines running Windows Server and SQL Server, in an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) deployment. It can also be deployed to Windows Azure as a set of distinct worker roles with SQL Azure, which is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) deployment.

IaaS has the advantage of providing the same environment as an on-premises installation of Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET. PaaS may provide easier scalability with less overhead, since worker roles are simpler than full OS installations, and better integration with other Azure features.

In earlier versions of Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET, Micro Focus recommended the PaaS deployment approach. At this time, Micro Focus does not recommend either type of deployment over the other. Customers should determine which better fits their needs.

Note:

It is not currently possible to perform dynamic debugging in an Azure PaaS deployment. Debugging is limited to CTF tracing and event logs. The recommended practice is to deploy and debug to an on-premises Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET and debug there. Only deploy production-ready applications to Azure.

Use the Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET Azure deployment and configuration wizard in the Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET Administration console system to deploy to Windows Azure.

Note:

The success of any Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET deployment into Azure relies on an on-premises deployment having been done successfully. Having an on-premises deployment to work with also gives an on-premises test system for the deployed production system. If a system works in the on-premises test system, it is more than likely to work in Azure.

Worker roles in an Azure PaaS deployment

This section briefly describes the Azure worker roles in Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET.

Each of the four key components of Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET is represented as a worker role in Windows Azure.

Listener - The worker role MicroFocus.SEE.Listener.Azure provides a communication channel for TN3270 clients, batch job submission, and other inbound communication, and can provide IBM MQ triggering.
Dispatcher - The worker role MicroFocus.SEE.Dispatch.Azure queues and dispatches CICS transaction requests, batch job submissions, and other work entering the Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET system.
SEP - The worker role MicroFocus.SEE.SEP.Azure executes application programs and provides the emulated CICS and batch environments.
Event monitor - The worker role MicroFocus.SEE.Monitor.Azure provides an interface for remote administration (starting/stopping regions, querying SEP statuses, etc), performs various infrastructure services, and monitors the health of the system.

See the Micro Focus Enterprise Server for .NET product documentation for details about each of these components.