Windows Home Server coming to a supermarket near you

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 16 May 2007 11:33

Business IT - Technology

A very sensible part of the design is that the server's disk drives appear as a single storage pool. This even applies to external drives connected to the server. So there will be no need to worry about juggling files between drives to get things to fit - the server takes care of things for you. And since all files are stored on at least two drives, there will presumably be no immediate problem if a server drive fails or is disconnected. It also implies that an older, smaller drive could be replaced with a higher capacity model without disrupting operations any longer than the time needed to actually install the drive.

WHS also monitors the SMART status of drives attached to networked computers, along with that of Vista's Security Center.

Remote access is also available, and the WHS package includes a free domain name from Windows Live to simplify that.

"That will allow me to come in and access all the same stuff that I would have as if I was sitting at my own desk," said Leonard. "And actually what I can do here is also remote into my home PCs. I can give my parents a username and a secure password. They can log in and see the latest photos and videos of their grandchild from a link in their Web browser."

Various software developers are creating add-ons for WHS. For example, the standard package includes streaming to devices supporting Windows Media Connect (eg, the Xbox 360), Medion plans to include PacketVideo's Connect software for streaming to the broader range of DLNA and UPnP AV compatible devices. In addition, Embedded Automation and Lagotek have announced WHS support in their home automation software.

Microsoft is running a competition - the Code2Fame Challenge - with a $US10,000 first prize to encourage the development of innovative WHS-compatible applications and hardware add-ins.

While PCs running Mac OS X or Linux won't get the full benefit of WHS, they can use it as an SMB server.

Other manufacturers planning WHS-based products include Gateway, Hewlett-Packard and LaCie. Both HP and Medion have announced their intention to deliver products by the end of the year.

WHS will also be available as an OEM product to 'white box' system builders. Only modest hardware is needed, including a 1GHz CPU and 512M of RAM. That should help keep both the physical size and noise down.

Microsoft is currently taking registrations from people who wish to participate in the WHS RC1 beta.