First, the Connected Systems Business helps you see how Microsoft's hardware, software, patterns, and practices works to day and where its going in the future.
Second, the Patterns and Practices Enterprise Library consolidates and updates seven of the application blocks Microsoft has produced.
The Connected Systems Kit
The Connected Systems Kit is a collection of sample applications, presentations, white papers and videos that illustrate how to implement connected systems and service-oriented architectures using current technologies.
Start here: Connected Systems
Patterns & Practices Enterprise Library
The patterns & practices Enterprise Library is a collection of application blocks designed to assist enterprise developers with common enterprise development challenges and help them build high-quality solutions with less effort. Developers are able to use the blocks as is, extend them to meet new requirements by plugging in their own code, or use them as the basis for more-complex solutions. Enterprise Library is available as a free download at the patterns & practices Web site at:
Patterns & Practices