I’ve been interested in Windows Home Server for a while now and this weekend I installed an evaluation copy on a dusty, old and noisy desktop. Apart from the advertised features of the Windows Home Server, I was interested in what else the Server could do for me.

The Home Servers key features are based around its ability to act as a central file server and perform scheduled backups of the machines on the Home Server network. Should something go wrong on one of those machines, Windows Home Server will restore that machine to the last backup using a Restore CD.

I knew Home Server was based a Windows 2003 Server, but suspected that some of the 2003 Server features would be limited or disabled.  I’ve always liked Windows 2003, its fast, secure, has II6 and it doesn’t demand a high specification machine. In fact the minimum hardware specification for the Home server is as follows:

• Computer with 1 GHz Pentium III (or equivalent) or faster processor
• 512 MB of RAM or more
• 70 GB or larger ATA, SATA, or SCSI hard drive as the primary hard drive and any number of additional hard drives of any size. These additional drives can be attached via USB or Fire wire.
• DVD drive—your home server must be capable of booting from this drive
• VGA or higher-resolution monitor for software installation
• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device (needed only during initial home server software installation)
• 100 Mbps or faster Ethernet network interface card

To run Windows Home Server, your home network must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Internet broadband router with a 100 Mbps or faster wired Ethernet connection connected to the Home server
• The Windows Home Server assumes that each of the home computers get their IP address from the router/firewall.
  Obviously, In order to share resources remotely you’ll also need a Broadband connection.

One thing that’s interesting is that a wireless connection between Windows Home Server and your network is not supported. Windows Home Server must be physically connected to a wired Ethernet port on your router.

Below are a few screen shots which came up during the installation, there are couple of interesting screens with text such as "Small Business Edition" and so on...

Now that I have the evaluation of Windows Home Server installed, I'll have a look at installing Virtual Server 2005 and a few other things to see what's possible.