Microsoft WCF RIA Services simplifies the traditional n-tier application pattern by bringing together the ASP.NET and Silverlight platforms. RIA Services provides a pattern to write application logic that runs on the mid-tier and controls access to data for queries, changes and custom operations. It also provides end-to-end support for common tasks such as data validation, authentication and roles by integrating with Silverlight components on the client and ASP.NET on the mid-tier.

Download and Install

1. Install WCF RIA Services
   • Install WCF RIA Services SP2 for Silverlight 4 and 5
   • Install the WCF RIA Services Toolkit

Learn About WCF RIA Services

1. Watch WCF RIA Services videos
   Introduction to WCF RIA Services

   This video walks through creating a simple CRUD application with Master/details, validation, paging, and authentication using WCF RIA Services.

   RIAServices support in Visual Studio 2010

   This video shows the new support for RIA Services in Visual Studio 2010 with adding data source and designer support for common RIA Services development tasks to improve productivity.

2. Start Learning WCF RIA Services
   1. MSDN Documentation for WCF RIA Services
   2. Nikhil Kothari’s Book Club RIA Services Application
   3. Read Brad Abrams 26 part Introduction to WCF RIA Services
   4. Repository for Unit Testing Sample (code sample)
   5. RIA Services sample leveraging WCF extensibility
   6. Add Service Reference' to a Domain Service
   7. Authentication Samples (code sample with Live ID)
   8. More Samples...
3. Find answers in the WCF RIA Services forum
4. Check out applications using WCF RIA Services
   1. HR Application
   2. Classifieds Sample
   3. SilverlightStore SEO Sample
   4. Contoso