I've been selected as a beta tester for the Windows Home Server software. After looking over the documentation, there appears to be three primary features to the product:
- Remote access: You can access any of the PCs on the home LAN from a remote location. This service is provided for free via a website.
- Media Sharing: The ability to send your media to devices on the network, this includes central storage of Recorded TV for your Media Center PCs, and streaming to your Xbox 360.
- Backup and Restore: The ability to backup all PCs within the network. This is assisted by using a client CD to configure each client on the network, and synchronize passwords on the client machines with the Windows Home Server machine.
The software appears to run a scaled down version Windows 2003 server. Many of the features that an enterprise uses have been removed from the software to ensure that it needs a lower performance PC than a server class machine. In addition, it provides 10 CALs for the users on your home network.
I'll be loading the software up this weekend and see what else it provides.
