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| Windows Home Server 2011 Dashboard |
Windows Home Server 2011, code named Vail[3], is a home server operating system by Microsoft and a successor to the Windows Home Server 'Quattro' operating system designed for Small Office/Home Office (SOHO).[4] Windows Home Server is intended to be a solution for homes with multiple connected PCs to offer protected file storage, file sharing, automated PC backup, remote access, and remote control of PC desktops.[5][6]
Windows Home Server 2011 (Vail) was released on 6 April 2011 [1] [7][8] following the release of Power Pack 3 for the aging Windows Home Server Quattro. Windows Home Server 2011 is considered a "major release".[3] Windows Home Server 2011 supports only x86-64 hardware.
[edit] Features
No new features have been announced by Microsoft, but reportedly will include additional entertainment capabilities[3], including web-based media functionality[9] and an 'add in' feature with an app store.[10]
Initial speculation by technology columnist Mary Jo Foley fueled the idea that 'Vail' would integrate with Windows Media Center. This prompted the response "Time will tell" by Microsoft Windows Home Server Product Planner Todd Headrick[3], but by the time of the public beta Microsoft had decided not to integrate Windows Media Center with 'Vail'.[11]
[edit] System requirements
System requirements[12]
| Component |
Required specifications |
| CPU |
1.3 GHz x86-64 Dual Core or 1.4 GHz x86-64 Single Core |
| RAM |
2 GB (8 GB Maximum) |
| Hard disk space |
160 GB |
[edit] Drive Extender removal
On 23 November 2010, Microsoft announced that Drive Extender would be removed from Windows Home Server 2011.[13] This announcement has led to "astonishment and outrage" from testers and users.[14] Criticism of Drive Extender's removal is mainly related to it being seen as a core feature of Windows Home Server and a key reason for adoption. Windows Home Server 2011 developer Michael Leworthy expressed concern that the implementation of Drive Extender might lead to "data error issues.”[15] As a result, third-party products entered market to fill the void left by Drive Extender, including Drive Bender (Division M), DriveHarmony (DataCore) and DrivePool (StableBit).[16]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Kean, Kevin (6 April 2011). "Windows Home Server 2011 now available for TechNet and MSDN Subscribers to Download today!". Windows Home Server Blog. Microsoft Corporation. http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2011/04/05/windows-home-server-2011-now-available-for-technet-and-msdn-subscribers-to-download-today.aspx. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Microsoft Support Lifecycle: Windows Home Server 2011". Microsoft Support. Microsoft Corporation. http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=15820. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d Foley, Mary Jo (2008-02-25). "Windows Home Server 'Vail' to get more entertainment hooks". ZDNet. http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=3390&tag=col1;post-4101. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Foley, Mary Jo (2009-11-09). "Which should a small business choose: Windows Home Server or Windows Server Foundation?". ZDNet. http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4479&tag=col1;post-4479. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ "Microsoft press release announcing Windows Home Server". Microsoft. 2007-01-07. http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-08WindowsHomeServerPR.mspx. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
- ^ "Bill Gates keynote at the International Electronics Show 2007". Microsoft. 2007-01-07. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/billg/speeches/2007/01-07ces.mspx. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
- ^ Windows Home Server Team (2011-03-29). "Windows Home Server 2011 is Ready for Release". Microsoft. http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2011/03/29/windows-home-server-2011-is-ready-for-release.aspx. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ Mary Jo Foley (2011-03-29). "Microsoft releases Windows 'Vail' server to manufacturing". ZDnet. http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-releases-windows-vail-server-to-manufacturing/9050. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ Whittaker, Zack (2010-01-28). "Windows Home Server 'Vail': A web based media center?". ZDNet. http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration/?p=4025&tag=content;col1. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Foley, Mary Jo (2010-01-27). "Early version of Windows Home Server 'Vail' leaks to the Web". ZDNet. http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=5063&tag=content;col1. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Walsh, Terry (26 April 2010). "What’s New in Windows Home Server Vail?". We Got Served. http://www.wegotserved.com/2010/08/16/windows-home-server-vail-rc0/. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ "System Requirements". Windows Home Server 2011 Online Help. Microsoft Corporation. 30 March 2011. http://onlinehelp.microsoft.com/en-us/windowshomeserver2011/system-requirements-2.aspx. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ Leworthy, Michael (23 November 2010). "Windows Home Server code name “Vail”– Update". Windows Home Server Blog. Microsoft Corporation. http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2010/11/23/windows-home-server-code-name-vail-update.aspx. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ Bright, Peter (26 November 2010). "Has Microsoft just ruined Windows Home Server?". Ars Technica. Condé Nast Digital. http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/11/has-microsoft-just-ruined-windows-home-server.ars. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ^ Bott, Ed (30 November 2010). "How Microsoft can clean up the mess in its home and small business server business". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/how-microsoft-can-clean-up-the-mess-in-its-home-and-small-business-server-business/2744. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ Walsh, Terry (10 October 2011). "Drive Bender Public Release Arriving This Week". We Got Served (We Got Served Ltd). http://www.wegotserved.com/2011/10/10/drive-bender-public-release-arriving-week/. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
