Windows Home Server 2011 Release Candidate now available

DeaconFrost said:

I had originally planned on installing it on my HP EX490 WHS box, but after DE was removed, I had to make alternate plans. I recently built a server with a RAID controller, running a RAID5 array to give me the data security as WHS 1.0. I'm still planning on using it because of the enhanced remote usage...but I definitely see this product having a HUGE amount of hurdles. It's a shame, because my EX490 would be more than capable of running it.

Even with the RAID controller option, it's no longer a simple option for an "average" consumer (who this product is intended for), to simply add a hard drive to their storage array or to remove a hard drive from the storage array when they want to move to something larger. This was the real "prize" with the Windows Home Server product. It was akin to how simple the home SOHO router became to share a home internet connection. It was always possible to buy a computer with 2 Network cards, and install some sort of proxy or IP Masquerading application to share out your connection, but it was too sophisticated for the average user to pull off. I really think they are putting themselves into too difficult a position for the average home user who wants a storage location on their small home network, but doesn't have the skill set to build up, or manage a RAID array manually. I think HP too saw this writing on the wall and got out of the market...because it's not something for the average home user anymore. People aren't going to buy the product unless they hear how fabulous and drop dead simple it is to use. While I can set up a RAID array and keep it running, my dad, my inlaws and my cousins cannot. These are the people Windows Home Server was designed for.

No DE, No folder duplication, No migration path from v1 to v2. Can't see myself bothering to even try v2. Not interested in running a full raid array for my home server.

Can't begin to understand what Microsoft was thinking. I know what I have heard about merging the different server tracks together but all this really did was effectively kill off the home server track for the average user. The name "Home server" does not belong in the same server track that "raid array" goes with.

I suspect that this may be the beginning of the end of the home server line from Microsoft and the sad part is they will tell themselves its because there was no demand for it rather than realize that it was Microsoft's actions that caused its demise.

I suspect that we will see a rise in Linux home servers running Amahi with the Greyhole DE addin.

Really sad to see Microsoft abdicate the home server category after creating a demand with WHS.

DeaconFrost said:

You'll start to see more off-the-shelf products that are already configured to run RAID, such as the Drobo units. It is a puzzling move, but the lack of migration path isn't a deterent to me. I would be backing up all of my data off a server before any new OS install anyway.

It will still have a small following in the enthusiast community, but that will certainly be only a small fraction of what it could have been. If enough people complain, it will motivate Microsoft to work on a DE version for an upcoming product.

In the same way you suggest a RAID array isn't going to be an option for average home users, you can indlude Linux into that discussion as well. Linux is still far from user friendly, unfortunately.

I'm not so sure....have you seen "Amahi home server", add in Greyhole...and you get Drive Extender. WHS made people want easy GUI driven home servers with drive extender and Linux servers already provide most of the other functionality of the WHS. I am seeing more and more talk about this product all the time and the consensus is that it is very easy to use and administer without requiring command line knowledge to maintain it.

As to desktops Ubuntu 10 is being very favorably compared to Windows 7 while Ubuntu 10.10 is being ported to tablets already (not ready for prime-time yet but getting there). Windows tablets are just missing in action....I don't mean Windows Tablet edition on 2+ lb convertables.....the consumer wants Ipad/Android style tablets and Windows is nowhere to be found at this time with what the customers actually want.

While I am not predicting a mass move to Linux I do see momentum in that direction and it is gaining speed. Android is helping the Linux cause more than Microsoft wants to admit.

Kick the consumer enough and they will move on. This is the real threat to Microsoft and I just don't think that the higher ups actually get it.

My apologies if this is a dumb question..... but is home server something you put on a box, and idk, use for like videos and stuff? (seems obvious) but im not sure. to lazy to google atm

If so im might grab it stick on my old rig(current, buying a new rig in the next week or 2) and stick some movies and junk, just to play with it...

holo88 said:

My apologies if this is a dumb question..... but is home server something you put on a box, and idk, use for like videos and stuff? (seems obvious) but im not sure. to lazy to google atm

If so im might grab it stick on my old rig(current, buying a new rig in the next week or 2) and stick some movies and junk, just to play with it...

Windows Home Server is an Operating System based on Windows Server2003 for V1 and server2008R2 for V2. File server, pc backup, media sharing, etc. Many people run it on an older P3-P4/512k ram box or newer dual cores including atom's. I use a AMD 3800+ x2 with 2gb ram and 1.35tb spread across 5 disks (3@160gb, 2@500gb).

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 (new version) - Server Software

Thanks bobtran, I've been out of the game for a while. got a little rusty, i admit. It appears my current hunk-o-junk may require a few upgrades to utilize this effectively. I'd splurge on some ram to have a home server. -cheers.