What’s Inside Windows Home Server

[HardOCP News]

Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet has a pretty good rundown and list of links for those of you that want to know just what’s inside Windows Server. The blog entry has info from around the industry (with links) that should answer all the questions you may have.

Gates outlined in a very general way some of the features that will be part of the expected Home Server systems. They will provide automated backup; secure connectivity among multiple PCs, Zunes, Xboxes and other devices; and terabytes of pluggable storage. Some models will be Intel-based; others will run on AMD processors.

 

[Xilikon]

I'm really excited to hear about this... I already setup my home network with a media/file server for this purposer and I'm sure Windows Home Server will fit my bill... Now to find a way to get some beta version

 

[swatbat]

I've been hearing about this for a while and it could get real intersting. I'm thinking this with a few vista machines with cable card slots and streaming hd tv to a xbox360 would be a nice setup. I know a few cleints that that a home server would be good for anyway.

 

[Lazybones]

I became completely dis interested in this product after reading the following:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/windows-home-server-everything-you-need-features-rundown-scre/

# Units are headless and embedded only -- you cannot buy WHS and put it on an old PC.
# There is no common web interface. Interaction is entirely client software based, or done over SMB.
# It cannot directly stream media to Media Center Extenders, but it can stream media directly to Windows Media Connect-enabled devices.
# It does not use RAID, but instead uses a RAID-like drive pooling system with built-in redundancy. Expanding capacity is as simple as adding additional drives internally or externally via USB. We can't say for sure, but we have a feeling if you were to unplug that external drive, your data wouldn't go with it since it's probably spanned across the array.

Can't build your own....

Web interface makes it sound like every other NAS box on the market
360 is a Media Center Extender... can't stream to it, so you are not forced to have your SERVER and your media center PC running just so you can view content on the 360

Doesn't use RAID... but some strange redundant system only supported by this headless box..

Summary... FAIL!

 

[Xilikon]

I became completely dis interested in this product after reading the following:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/windows-home-server-everything-you-need-features-rundown-scre/


Can't build your own....

Web interface makes it sound like every other NAS box on the market
360 is a Media Center Extender... can't stream to it, so you are not forced to have your SERVER and your media center PC running just so you can view content on the 360

Doesn't use RAID... but some strange redundant system only supported by this headless box..

Summary... FAIL!

Damn... You are perfectly right. Not letting anyone build a server and slap WHS in it is a sure way to make this version fail... It is only good for those who are n00b with computers However, there is a conflicting story since some text I read from the link provided in the news said something about a System Builder Licence, which is for small computer stores who build PC and slap it so we'll see how it turns.

I'll stick with my XP Pro server since it served me very well anyway... For the automatic backups of computers, it's as easy as setting up Acronis to do regular backups on each connected computer and save the image in a network drive.

 

[Lazybones]

However, there is a conflicting story since some text I read from the link provided in the news said something about a System Builder Licence, which is for small computer stores who build PC and slap it so we'll see how it turns.

Means that there MIGHT be an OEM version that some computer stores could sell you with hardware.. or it could be like MCE where it only ever gets released to specific OEMs.

 

[OregonLAN]

So, basically it's a NAS like device that interacts with Microsoft consumer products using a proprietary RAID like protocol. How can they label it a “home server”? What Microsoft needs to release is a SBS like OS with basic server elements (file sharing, print server, basic firewall/proxy, SQL ‘lite’, Exchange ‘lite’, etc.). Possibly they could limit the TCP connections and make it manageable via a WEB interface. Then, I would consider buying it...

 

[AARGH!]

Means that there MIGHT be an OEM version that some computer stores could sell you with hardware.. or it could be like MCE where it only ever gets released to specific OEMs.

NewEgg has sold MCE for awhile now. Hoping will be same deal for this.

 

[Lazybones]

NewEgg has sold MCE for awhile now. Hoping will be same deal for this.

MS lifted some restrictions on the later releases of MCE.. I think the current one is called 2005 they did this when they opened it up to support more hardware.

 

[JethroXP]

Windows Home Server will be available as "software-only" for the enthusiasts to build and configure their own hardware as they choose, and as a tightly integrated hardware/software solution, or "appliance" for Mom and Pop.

http://www.activewin.com/awin/comments.asp?HeadlineIndex=37887

 

[proteus7]

Well..since I'm actually *running* it...a few comments
It will be available, like other "OEM" versions of the OS
Hardware RAID is fully support. WHS will just see it as a single drive. In addition, WHS performs essentially a fancy version of volume expansion and duplication in software. Better than RAID in some ways, since you can use mismatched drives.
This is the perfect box to shove all your old drives into..
Its headless, but still supports a video card for setup. There is a pretty slick client app, OR you can use a web interface..it does both.
Snapshot and replication is far beyond anything available on a ReadyNAS. It does differential file copy with Vista clients..which is SWEET.
Also does password synchronization. file indexing and catagorization..etc Its far nicer than you might think. and blows away a ReadyNas for overall functionality..
Downside? No Linux support..

 

[Ockie]

I am part of this beta program and so far I thoroughly enjoy it. My favorite part is the storage pool concept, works really nicely.