This GitHub repository contains a set of HPC and Batch related samples that demonstrate the usage of Microsoft Azure Batch services along with some general purpose utilities. See http://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/batch/ for more information on the Azure Batch Service.

Batch Account

Before you can interact with the Batch service, you will need an Azure Batch service account. The Azure Batch service is currently in preview; apply for access to the Batch service here: https://account.windowsazure.com/PreviewFeatures.

After obtaining access to the service, you can create a Batch account either on the Azure.com management portal or by using Azure PowerShell to create the account as described at this blog.

Azure Storage Viewer

It will be useful to have a Azure Storage viewer available to assist with maintaining containers and blobs as well as observing interaction the samples have with storage. There are a number of free viewers available.