Microsoft Windows Home Server Review

Windows Home Server is intended to be a solution for homes with multiple connected PCs to offer file sharing, automated backups, and remote access. Since it is based on Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, it includes enterprise-level stability, ruggedness, and security.

Features
- Centralized Backup - Allows backup up to 10 PCs, using Single Instance Store technology to avoid multiple copies of the same file, even if that file exists on multiple PCs.
- Health Monitoring - Can centrally track the health of all PCs on the network, including antivirus and firewall status.
- File Sharing - Offers network shares for computers to store the files remotely, acting as a network-attached storage device. Separate categories are provided for common file types like Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos.  The files are indexed for fast searching.
- Printer Sharing - Allows a centralized print server to handle print jobs for all users.
- Shadow Copy - Takes advantage of Volume Shadow Copy Services to take point in time snapshots that allow older versions of files to be recovered.
- Headless Operation - No monitor or keyboard is required to manage the device.  Remote administration is performed by using the Windows Home Server Console client software provided in the bundle. Also supports Remote Desktop connections to the server while connected to the same LAN.
- Remote Access Gateway - Allows remote access to any connected PC on the network over the Internet.
- Media Streaming - Can stream media to a Xbox 360 or other devices supporting Windows Media Connect.
- Data redundancy - Guards against a single drive failure by duplicating data across multiple drives.
- Expandable Storage - Provides a unified single and easily expandable storage space, removing the need for drive letters.
- Extensibility through Add-Ins - Add-Ins allow third-party developers to extend the features and functionality of the server. Add-Ins can be developed using the Windows Home Server SDK, to provide additional services to the client computers or work with the data already on the server. Add-Ins can also be ASP.NET applications, hosted in IIS 6 running on WHS.
- Server Backup - Backs up files which are stored within shared folders on the server to an external hard drive.

Minimum Specs are needed:
- 1.0 GHz Intel Pentium 3 (or equivalent) processor
- 512 MB RAM
- 80 GB internal hard drive as primary drive
- 100 Mbit/s wired Ethernet

Additionally, the following are required for installation of the operating system only:
- Bootable DVD drive or USB stick
- Display
- Keyboard and mouse

The OS costs $150~$200 for a System Builder Licence.  However, the best way to get it is from a vendor, such as HP, which has specific hardware meeting the OS's needs.  A system Builder Licence is great for turning an old PC into a dedicated server with little need for typical server power.