Windows Home Server Beta Trial

For all that have multiple pc's in the home and would like to try another microsoft product, Windows Home Server is now available for tryout. You have to jump through a few hoops to get to the download, and be fast about it, only 25000 downloads available at the moment. But im giving it a shot for shoots and giggles.

Its a central based sharing server for media, photos, things like that. Web accessible.

HERES THE LINK FOR SIGNUP

Well with the move and the new job getting hectic, i still have not installed this software, i know i know, im a slacker. But as soon as i get it up and running i will add to this thread and let everyone know how it goes. Im in the new apartment now and have got most my pc's up and running. Ill dual boot my winmce box with it and see how functional it is.

Im assuming its trying to get ahold of the Apple@home market. Which i must say, i setup at my bosses house and its sweeeet. But thats for another thread.

What exactly does home server provide that my windows xp primary desktop can't? I can't think of many functions that I'd need for the home aside from an F+P server, and this thing does that fine.

Hey Raso, im assuming they are attempting to grab a chunk of the apple@home crowd. A standalone box that hosts all media in your home for access by multiple devices, home networked pc's, media center control box, things like that. I havent had a chance to set it up. when i do, i will report on it. I must say, apple@home is waaaay kewl so they will have to make a major leap to match it. But again, ill let ya know what it does or doesnt do.

Silver

I'm more interested in server 2008 (Seems It's going to be the killer.) but home server is probably ok for home users.

Server 2008 and home server are 2 completely different entities. Home server, as i previously posted, is attempting to make a central spot for media and storage for all pc's in a home. Movies, pics, music, stuff like that.

Server 2008 is the next gen in MS Server Products. Apples and oranges here bracke. And i dont foresee Companies switching their servers over anytime soon. OS Migration is a big deal in work and downtime to business. Not to mention bug workouts. Most Companies do not want to be guinea pigs for MS.

Agreed. Our company still hasn't switched to Office 2007 because of the known bugs. And we only went to Server 2003 earlier this year. I don't trust Microsoft enough to be their beta tester. And yes, I call it beta testing long after it's left the beta. As a matter of fact, until SP1 for any or their OSs comes out I'm not likely to install it on any of my machines. I even waited for SP2 to come out for XP before using it.

Well i finally found a few hours last nite to install and configure Windows Home Server.

Its roughly Server2003 configured for home use with a slight vista feel at first. Then when you get to the desktop, its server alright. As i stated previously, it centralizes a place for music, pics, movies and files throughout your home network. One feature thats seems useful is it will backup each pc connected to it on a nightly basis.

You install a client control panel onto pc's within your network that can configure the server. Other than that, you access it any other way you would a networked PC. \\Servername\whateverfoldername. A page comes up at first login that warns you not to configure it via the usual administration control as it may cause issues, /sarcasm, thanx Microsoft

DNS domain is available for file access anywhere in the world if you set it up correctly. There are free DNS domain sites out there that you can register your ip to, to use.

A couple things that bothered me is, it formats any hard drive plugged into it during installs for use with its storage and also will only backup ntfs formatted drives. That can be good, can be bad for some. But it is an evaluation copy for use to send feedback to microsoft on how well it performs. Ive configured it to do just that since im part of the Live Eval Team. Dont want to flake on my duties.

Im still in the process of screwing with it so most things are unknown to me at the moment. But i will continue to post updates about it as i come across them.