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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 designed for small office/home offices[4] and 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] It was released on 6 April 2011[1][7][8] following the release of Power Pack 3 for its aging predecessor Windows Home Server. Microsoft has announced that Windows Home Server 2011 will be the last Windows Home Server release.[9] Windows Home Server will be succeeded by Windows Server 2012 Essentials.[10]
Windows Home Server 2011 is based on Windows Server 2008 R2 and therefore only supports x86-64 (64-bit) hardware. This is significant, since the preceding Windows Home Server v1 was 32-bit. Coupled with fundamental changes in the structure of the client backups and the shared folders, there was no clear method for migrating from WHS version 1 to WHS 2011.[11]
Features
No new features have been announced by Microsoft, but reportedly will include additional entertainment capabilities,[3] including web-based media functionality[12] and an 'add in' feature with an app store.[13]
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'.[14]
System requirements
System requirements[15]| Component | Required specifications |
|---|
| CPU | 1.3 GHz dual core or 1.4 GHz single core; x86-64 architecture |
| RAM | 2 GB (8 GB Maximum) |
| Hard disk space | At least one 160 GB drive |
Drive Extender removal
On 23 November 2010, Microsoft announced that Drive Extender would be removed from Windows Home Server 2011.[16] This announcement has led to "astonishment and outrage" from testers and users.[17] 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."[18] As a result, third-party products entered market to fill the void left by Drive Extender, including Drive Bender (Division M) and DrivePool (StableBit).[19]
Update Rollup 4 Available for Windows Home Server 2011
Microsoft announced there is an Update Rollup Pack 4 for Windows Home Server 2011.
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. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Microsoft Support Lifecycle: Windows Home Server 2011". Microsoft Support. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ a b c Foley, Mary Jo (2008-02-25). "Windows Home Server 'Vail' to get more entertainment hooks". ZDNet. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Foley, Mary Jo (2009-11-09). "Which should a small business choose: Windows Home Server or Windows Server Foundation?". ZDNet. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ "Microsoft press release announcing Windows Home Server". Microsoft. 2007-01-07. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
- ^ "Bill Gates keynote at the International Electronics Show 2007". Microsoft. 2007-01-07. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
- ^ Windows Home Server Team (2011-03-29). "Windows Home Server 2011 is Ready for Release". Microsoft. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ Mary Jo Foley (2011-03-29). "Microsoft releases Windows 'Vail' server to manufacturing". ZDnet. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ "Microsoft confirms enthusiasts' fears: No more versions of Windows Home Server". ZDNet. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ "Windows Server 2012 Essentials Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ Walsh, Terry (11 April 2011). "How to: Upgrade to Windows Home Server 2011 (Part 1)". We Got Served (We Got Served Ltd). Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ Whittaker, Zack (2010-01-28). "Windows Home Server 'Vail': A web based media center?". ZDNet. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Foley, Mary Jo (2010-01-27). "Early version of Windows Home Server 'Vail' leaks to the Web". ZDNet. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Walsh, Terry (26 April 2010). "What’s New in Windows Home Server Vail?". We Got Served. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ "System Requirements". Windows Home Server 2011 Online Help. Microsoft Corporation. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ Leworthy, Michael (23 November 2010). "Windows Home Server code name "Vail"– Update". Windows Home Server Blog. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ Bright, Peter (26 November 2010). "Has Microsoft just ruined Windows Home Server?". Ars Technica. Condé Nast Digital. 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. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ Walsh, Terry (10 October 2011). "Drive Bender Public Release Arriving This Week". We Got Served (We Got Served Ltd). Retrieved 17 October 2011.
