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Extended hands-on time with Microsoft's new home server OS reveals some interesting and powerful new features
We dig Windows Home Server, Microsoft’s home-oriented server operating system. It’s provided us with an easy-to-use and relatively bullet-proof means of backing up our multiple PCs, made it easy to access important files over the web, protected our shared libraries through automatic file duplication, and so much more.
But Windows Home Sever Version 1 has never been pretty to look at—we’ve long since replaced its weak media server with a third-party application, and its 32-bit code base (based on Microsoft’s Windows Server 2003) makes client restoration more awkward than it should be. While we’ve had to speculate as to the features that might be included in Windows 8, Microsoft’s follow-up to Windows Home Server has been in beta since last April.
The new Windows Home Server Launchpad runs on client machines and can start third-party apps as well as the server's Dashboard.
Here’s a high-level look at the new operating system, based on an interview with Microsoft Senior Product Manager Michael Leworthy and some quality time we’ve spent using the beta. Microsoft has not announced a target ship date, but we’re guessing WHS Version 2 (which is based on Windows Server 2008 R2) will ship in the second or perhaps third quarter of 2011.
As with Windows Home Server Version 1, Microsoft expects most consumers will buy Version 2 (the beta version’s full name is Windows Home Server Code Name “Vail”) pre-installed on a headless computer. We expect most of our readers, however, will buy the system-builder version of the OS and install it on a cast-off machine. Either way, the minimum hardware requirements are a 1.4GHz x64 processor, 2GB of RAM, and at least one 160GB, NTFS-formatted hard drive. The server must be hardwired to your router, and a UPnP-certified router—while not required—will deliver the best experience.
Vail's Dashboard performs the same functions as the current Windows Home Server Console, but with a Windows 7 look. This version will continue to support up to 10 users, including Macs.
Where WHS Version 1 supported a maximum of five hard drives, Vail will support up to 10 (internal SATA, eSATA, USB, or FireWire). The system disk (the one on which the OS is installed) can reside outside Vail’s Drive Extender storage pool. If you’re not familiar with Microsoft’s Drive Extender technology, it’s a file-replication system that provides multi-disk redundancy to protect you from data loss in the event of a catastrophic disk failure. The system duplicates shared folders to different drives, so there’s always a backup copy. Unlike a RAID configuration, however, a Drive Extender storage pool can consist of different-size drives. And unlike a JBOD array, there are no drive letters; the capacity of all the drives is aggregated into a single pool.
As does the current version, Vail will support a maximum of 10 users or 10 computer clients (running any combination of Windows XP SP3, Vista SP2, or Windows 7. The 64-bit version of Windows XP is not supported). The release version of Vail will support Macintosh clients out of the box, too. Client machines will run a taskbar app called Launchpad, which provides an easy way to log onto the server, access shared folders on the server, initiate manual backups, access the server’s remote website, or start the server’s Dashboard app. Launchpad will also be able to start third-party server-oriented applications.
Dashboard is a replacement for the Windows Home Server console used in WHS Version 1. It’s the primary user interface for configuring your server’s settings as well as the backup settings for each of its client machines. It’s not much different from the Windows Home Server console from a functional standpoint, but it’s a whole lot prettier.
Whether your server has one hard drive or 10, Vail will aggregate them into a contiguous pool of storage.
The OS will automatically perform block-based backups of its clients (Version 1 performed file-based backups); and for the first time, you’ll be able to back up the server, shared folders, and your client backups to an external hard drive for offsite storage. The OS has hooks for backing up to the cloud, too, but Microsoft’s Leworthy tells us the company has not decided whether or how it might expose that capability.
WHS Version 1 is capable of restoring individual files and folders, but since it’s a 32-bit OS, it’s rather clumsy when it comes to performing a bare-metal restore of a 64-bit system—since it can’t automatically restore a system’s 64-bit device drivers, you must locate them manually and copy them to a USB memory device. Vail features 64-bit code and will be able to perform a full restore using a bootable USB drive (Version 1 requires a bootable system-restore disc for each client).
Resource Monitor enables you to keep an eye on your server's workload and overall performance.
A Vail server will be able to join a Windows 7 HomeGroup, so everyone who belongs to the same home group will have access to the same shared folders. The system administrator, however, will be empowered to assign permissions to each user. Mom and Dad might have read/write access to shared photos and videos folders, for example, while the rugrats are limited to read-only access. The system administrator will also be able to monitor the health of client machines and will have the power to push Windows updates and new antivirus definitions out to them.
The original Windows Home Server is a relatively weak media server right out of the box, needing a third-party add-on such as Twonky’s TwonkyServer or PlayOn’s PlayOn Digital Media Server to reach its full potential. Leworthy promises Vail will be different: It will not only be DLNA 1.5–compliant, it will use Microsoft’s Silverlight software to stream DRM-free media to clients on your local network and to clients on the Internet—including mobile devices.
Silverlight will also improve Windows Home Server’s remote-access feature, enabling friends and family to whom you grant access to view shared content on your server in a friendly, browser-like environment. Real-time video transcoding is fully supported, which is essential for streaming HD video to handheld devices, but not so for streaming to more powerful clients. You’ll need a relatively strong CPU in your server to pull off that trick, though—an Atom isn’t going to cut it.
Vail uses Microsoft's Silverlight and Windows Media Foundation technologies to stream media.
Vail promises to deliver a much stronger, easier to use, more feature-packed home-server OS than ever, but there’s one feature that we’re disappointed to report won’t make it: any implementation of Windows Media Center. Imagine installing Ceton’s InfiniTV CableCARD tuner into a Windows Home Server box and connecting it to your cable TV service: You’d have the ultimate DVR with the ability to stream recorded TV programs—including video from premium channels such as HBO and Showtime—to wherever you happen to be. Sadly, we don’t expect that will happen anytime in the near future, simply because the Windows Server 2008 code base lacks any of the DRM hooks that are present in Windows 7.
But when all is said and done, we can’t wait to build a new Vail-based server—and we’re even more excited to see what OEM builders and add-on developers will do with the new OS.
Next Page: What We Want & What You Want in Windows 8 »
Comments are closed on this article
Ammalgam
December 08, 2010 at 6:03pm
I personally feel that it's not going to be that radical from Windows 7.
The real changes will probably come in Windows 9 around 2016.
I write about Windows 8 at this site www.windows8update.com
samduhman
November 19, 2010 at 1:28pm
After 20ish years of using the MS OS I will switch to something else or quit using PCs entirely before I join the cloud mentality. I have zero interest in my stuff being on the "cloud". Nor am I interested in a subscription based Office or apps. Microsoft can shove it if thats the direction they are going in.
"various recurring monthly or annual subscriptions will grant users access to Office Live applications"
Xylogeist
November 19, 2010 at 11:16am
Just shutup fanboy, Microsoft has already created Xbox live which is 100 times more effective and streamlined than Steam ever was, so why shouldn't they take that experience to the PC? It would be great if when I buy a 360 game I can play it on my PC and earn achievements from the same system, that way if I prefer a mouse and keyboard I could pwn it up.
Also, a little word of advice MS, please Please PLEASE PLEEEEASE don't go to the cloud... that is going NOWHERE... It's just simply garbage.
Skrýmir
November 20, 2010 at 12:41am
Xbox Live is only a matchmaking service. It's the matchmaking service that Microsoft Abandoned Zonematch for. While Xbox Live works better on the front-end than Zone Match, as idiots like you and 8 year old kids know how to click "Find Game." What it really means is that your gaming connection is never going to show you your real Ping, which isn't taken into account when you're matchmade into a game. Meaning lag, and lots of it. THe Loss of the dedicated server, which means that someone will always have a host ping advantage, on top of that the server(Host Xbox) is put under more stress and it's framerate can suffer accordingly(Halo: Reach is a good example of that) The new xbox live is a poorly regulated over-priced service, while it's better than Playstation Network, IT IS BY NO MEANS, anywhere close to the quality of Valve's Steam Client. Not only that Steam's deals are great for gamers, and even better for publishers. Steam does everything xbox live does, and better. I think if microsoft commits itself to PC Gaming again it COULD easily rival Steam's stranglehold on digital distribution right now. However microsoft is too hooked on the cash they're getting off of the soccer mom market for Xbox Live, they'll never make a strong foray into PC Gaming again, at least never with an Exclusive. Dissolving FASA and Digital Anvil pretty much yelled it loud and clear that Microsoft was done with PC Gaming, When they shut down zonematch it was official.
Microsoft needs to realize that with more and more PC games going crossplatform they need to give users a reason to trust them again, They Killed Mechwarrior after all, one of the most successful franchises in PC History. Microsoft is very responsible for the death of PC gaming, BUT MORE Importantly they're responsible for this bullshit known as DLC. DLC is the biggest crock of bullshit i've ever come across. 7 years ago i would not have payed 15 Dollars to get a content edition to my game that equaled 4 to 5 more hours of gameplay. I would not have PAYED for maps that should have been included in my shooter that DID NOT come with a map creator. 7 YEARS AGO GAMES STOOD ON THEIR SINGLE PLAYER ALONE UNLESS THEY WERE MULTIPLAYER ONLY! When microsoft gets it's priorities straight instead of claiming their coming back to PC Gaming then they can talk about Digital Distribution. THAT MEANS PC EXCLUSIVES! I miss they day when you saw that Microsoft Game Studios Logo and KNEW you were getting A HIGH QUALITy Game. Microsoft is a computer company it's damn time they come back to the ones that made them capable of their DIRECT X box.
kamikaji
November 18, 2010 at 11:01pm
I really hope Microsoft doesn't do anything about adding PC gaming features. GAMES FOR WINDOWS LIVE BLOWS HARDER THAN A PORN STAR ON CRACK. They should just leave PC gaming to the people who actually know how to do it well: Valve Software. End of story. Microsoft can continue to snuggle with their beloved FAILbox 360 for all I care, just STAY OUT OF PC GAMING FOR THE REST OF TIME PLEASE; YOU SUCK AT IT.
SuperiorBeing
November 19, 2010 at 10:01am
What, so Valve can monoploize their market?
I like cheap games as much as anyone else, but you know what I also like: competition. Windows and its components are at the level they are because there's so much competition on every level.
matmatician
November 18, 2010 at 9:45pm
The most awesome thing they could do right now would be to change the user experience from machine based to actual user based. For example, if they could make it so that I could access the exact same screen from both my laptop while im at work and my desktop while im at home, I would never buy anything but a microsoft product. I dont want to use Remote Desktop or do anything else that would be a pain to set up, I just want to see Win8 installed and have a completely unifed system. I realize that this is most likely just a pipe dream though...
Timmeh.the.tech
November 26, 2010 at 12:32am
I think that would be great just to have one copy of windows 8 on all PCs. That you could have unifying all of your data. 3 computers one the same OS. You could have all your files all the time and it would basically render flash drives useless except for transferring data to somebody else's unified system. They could take it even further and you could just have say, Steve's system which would be on e OS that is on every device. Your wach knows who you are and can sync with your phone, your car, your home PC, work PC it would be amazing. No more file transfer what so ever you have a device and its synced with EVERYTHING that's yours.This comment probably sounds really stupid as it's 2:30 in the morning and I don't really know what I'm talking about.
burn0u7
November 20, 2010 at 9:30am
There has been an integrated FTP server since windows xp pro. You just gotta install IIS to make it happen. Its pretty easy to install.
Keep in mind, you have to have XP Pro, vista business, win7 business equivelent though.
Since i've always ran WinXP Pro, Vita Ultimate, Windows 7 Ultimate i've always had the FTP server functionality available.
ilfipian
November 18, 2010 at 4:53pm
So little discussion of security, privacy. The Cloud implementations so far are severely lacking in this and it remains the biggest problem with computers and the internet today.
evilyeti
November 18, 2010 at 3:28pm
One thing I would like to see in Windows 8, instead of replacing the start menu/taskbar with an Apple style dock would be the ability to customize the start menu and task bar anyway I want. This will sound crazy but think the similar way you would customize your GUI in an MMORPG like World of Warcraft or Everquest except less complicated. Like being able to un-attach the Windows Globe and move it wherever you wanted and also being able to resize it! Being able to move and resize the quick start bar sort of like the hot bars in World of Warcraft. Also the system tray as well. I think a cool feature would also being able to hide any of these GUI features so if you wanted a simple desktop you could have everything hidden except your Windows Globe (start menu). I don’t play World of Warcraft but one of the features the game has that is pretty cool and I think would integrate well into an operating system is defiantly the ability to customize your GUI!
ilfipian
November 18, 2010 at 4:56pm
Custom GUI is cool, but you also need a way to easily switch between your customizations and the default interface for the troubleshooting and fixit duties on someone else's box where you don't know the customizations.
DoctorX
November 18, 2010 at 2:41pm
"Where WHS Version 1 supported a maximum of five hard drives"
Err, where did you hear that? I have 18 in mine for a total of 21TB formatted. Works fine.
MrMick
November 18, 2010 at 4:57pm
I heard it from Microsoft senior product manager Michael Leworthy. While there's nothing physically preventing you from running more than five drives in a WHS rig (or more than 10 drives if you're using Vail), Microsoft officially supports only five and 10 drives, respectively.
Michael Brown, Reviews Editor
ea1775
November 18, 2010 at 2:07pm
My theory that Alan and Gordon are the same person is finally proved!
gothliciouz
November 18, 2010 at 1:49pm
one thing i would like is a virtual desktop manager like in linux :)
israel09
November 18, 2010 at 1:23pm
Alan and Gordon have the exact same post under "features we want in windows 8"
Trooper_One
November 18, 2010 at 1:10pm
"So forgive us for favoring words like “commemorate” or “contemplate” instead of “celebrate,” which feels like too rosy a word for an operating system that has given us so much frustration, confusion, and heartache."
For better or worse, Windows came a long way, made out of building blocks from different experience/experiments. It's actually amazing to see how it manages all the variety of hardware that's out there. It's not perfect, but it works - and for me, with Windows 7, it's working great! I started in DOS (while at the same time, played with Win3.11) and adopted Win95. From then on, it's always been Windows! (yes, I have a machine with Ubuntu as well but my heart is with Win7).
