Recently Microsoft announced a new consumer product called "Home Server" which, as its name implies, is a server for the home. Home Server isn't the typical server as one would use at an office or school. Instead it's more of a data and management hub for the multi-computer home. For newer homes that have a central network patch panel in the basement, this may be the new home for your "Home Server".
Here are some of the very cool features of Home Server (this is not the complete list and may change by RTM):
- Headless - Now monitor, keyboard, or mouse is needed. All you need to do is give it network and power.
- Centralized Backup – Home Server will back-up all of your home computers on a daily basis. And the restore will allow you to restore specific files or folders as well as the entire computer.
- Centralized Storage – Now all of your files, music, videos, etc. can be stored on one massive storage device in the home.
- Centralized Users – Home Server allow you to have multiple user accounts so each user can have their own private content as well as access shared folders.
- Dynamically Growing Storage – As your shared drive space reaches maximum capacity, you can add additional External or Internal disks and Home Server will add that to the entire pool of available storage. This removes the need for users to move their data from volume to volume. Home Server makes the entire storage look like one large disk that just keeps growing. I think this is the coolest feature! By the way, this is not a RAID type of solution. You can add any type of drive at anytime.
- Remote Access – Home Server provides a web based UI in order to remotely connect into the server and download items on the share OR to remotely connect into a give home computer. This makes it easy to download or upload pictures when on the road or access an application while at the office.
- Monitoring – Home Server can connect to each Windows Vista machine and check the health and security status of the machines.
- Xbox 360 Support – You can even use an Xbox 360 to listen to the music or watch the videos on your Home Server.
When Home Server releases, you'll be able to purchase a "Home Server" via a hardware vendor such as HP who is calling their "MediaSmart Server" (checkout the link below).
There are several sites where you can learn more about Home Server:
Here are some Video Demos of Home Server