Preview versions of virtual machine (VM) images running Oracle Database, Java Development Kit and WebLogic Server are now available on Windows Azure.

While the preview is for Azure, the VMs will also be made available at a later date on Windows Server Hyper-V environments. You’ll either be able to use your existing licenses or acquire a license from Oracle for the database and WebLogic server.

The preview release is the first result of the partnership announced in June by Microsoft and Oracle, when the two companies also promised to work together to add properly licensed and fully supported Java into Windows Azure, as well as the availability of Oracle Linux on preconfigured instances.

The webpage that invites you to try the preview says:

“Bring your own license, or quickly spin up a Virtual Machine with a license already included to take advantage of the on-demand infrastructure scaling provided by Windows Azure. Oracle software including Java, Oracle Database and Oracle WebLogic Server are now available in the Windows Azure image gallery.”

As to the cost of using the new facility, the announcement on the Windows Azure blog states:

during the preview, these images are offered for no additional charge beyond the regular compute costs. After the preview period ends, Oracle images will be billed based on the total number of minutes VMs run in a month; details on the VM pricing to be announced at a later date.

Customers using Oracle licenses will get support from Oracle directly on Oracle software on Windows Server Hyper-V and Windows Azure. If you use the license-included versions, it’s not clear yet where the support will come from – Microsoft says it will release more information closer to general availability.