Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 6, 2007. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The Windows Home Server solution HP MediaSmart Server can now be ordered in the USA from various online retailers. Delivery will take place at the end of November. In Germany, too, numerous hardware and software partners will offer new products and solutions based on Windows Home Server for the Christmas business. The devices include the MEDION Home Server, Belinea o.center from MAXDATA, the SCALEO Home Server from Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the new Entertaiment Line from LEO, as well as TAROX Connect Windows Home Server 5000 and chiliGREEN’s HomeMaster DH.
“Digital devices and content are ubiquitous in our daily lives and are becoming increasingly important,” says Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft. “With the market launch of Windows Home Server, Microsoft and partners are offering a newly developed product category for consumers. It offers powerful server technology for the living room that is easy to use. This allows users to back up their digital media and enjoy them more easily with friends and family members.”
Windows Home Server centrally stores and manages all digital data in the home network. This includes music, photo and video files as well as all PC documents. The data stored on one hard drive can automatically be deposited on another as a backup copy. This means that information is not lost even in the event of hard-drive failures. Windows Home Server also checks every connected PC with Windows Vista or Windows XP, creates automatic backups of the content and checks for regular updates. Family members, friends and acquaintances can access these files from home or on the move. And all data are protected against unauthorized access and loss.
Hardware offerings in Germany:
With the HomeMaster series, Chiligreen is expanding the product range offered in the home entertainment, multimedia and storage areas with a completely new system. The devices equipped with Microsoft Windows Home Server are housed with hard drives in a small and discreet case; another can be retrofitted without screws and even during operation using a removable frame.
The Scaleo Home Server from Fujitsu Siemens Computers is equipped with two 250 GB hard drives and can be expanded almost at will with internal as well as external hard drives.
With the Piranha Home Server, Leo offers a solution with two to four 250 GB S-ATA II hard drives, 1 GB DDR2 memory and, depending on the version, Gigabit LAN or WLAN.
With up to four installable S-ATA hard drives, the new Belinea o.center from Maxdata offers sufficient space for the backups of all the computers in a family. The solution contains 512 MB DDR2 memory and an AMD LE100 processor. Via the integrated streaming technology, a Gigabit LAN connection and four USB interfaces, multimedia files can be transmitted and played back from Windows Home Server to a variety of playback devices.
The small, compact Home Server from Medion offers special energy-saving functions, two 250 GB eSATA hard drives and can be expanded internally up to 2 terabytes. With PacketVideo Connect software, it enables universal, easy-to-install media streaming that is compatible with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standards.
The Tarox Connect Windows Home Server 5000 contains two 500 GB hard drives. It offers simple, clear organization and protects personal data. Its cube design means it requires little space and is easy to set up.
The MediaSmart Server from HP has an 1.8 GHz AMD Sempron processor and installation options for up to four hard drives. Storage space can be expanded, for example, via the four external USB ports. The HP solution will come onto the market at the beginning of 2008.
Software solutions
Software developers have already created more than 35 add-in programs for the Windows Home Server platform. The German company Avira GmbH, for example, has announced that its technology for detecting and removing malware will support Windows Home Server. Diskeeper Corporation has released a special version of the Diskeeper 2008 defragmentation tool for Windows Home Server. The mControl add-in from Embedded Automation offers various automation functions. Online backup and data storage are automated by KeepVault from Proxure, Inc. Sage TV Media Server enables media streaming from Windows Home Server to any PC or Macintosh, at home and on the Internet. The SightSpeed 6.0 video chat service is now also compatible with the new platform. Telligent Systems Graffiti CMS enables personal websites and blogs to be created quickly. And the Command Center security software from WiLife, Inc. now works with Windows Home Server.
Other software and service solutions for Windows Home Server include: avast! and F-Secure anti-virus and security software, digital picture frames from CEIVA, data backup services from Iron Mountain and Jungle Disk, the Lagotek Home Intelligence platform for home automation, LobsterTunes for streaming to Windows Mobile devices, PacketVideo PVConnect for plug-and-play media streaming, Raxco Software PerfectDisk for performance optimization, the Riptopia CD loading service, Sonos System Software 2.5 for digital jukeboxes, and Whiist for websites and photo albums.
Further links:
- Microsoft Windows Home Server
