Windows Home Server is designed to meet the needs of households that run more than one computer. The software is loaded onto each computer on the home network, and allows data to be centralized on the Home Server. Microsoft will introduce Windows Home Server later this Fall. No release date has been announced because the product is still in development, however a release candidate is available for download at the Microsoft Web site.

One significant component of Windows Home Server is the automatic, incremental backup solution it offers to the home user. Most home users do not back up data on their computers, and those who do normally use third-party products.

Windows Home Server will enjoy significant hardware support. Nine vendors, including HP, Gateway, LaCie and Medion International, have signed on to date to manufacture home server equipment that uses Windows Home Server. HP will offer the MediaSmart server, which has four internal drive bays and four USB ports. Initial configurations are expected to deliver 500 GB to 1TB of storage space, with expansion capabilities. The MediaSmart server also offers an iTunes server and a PhotoShare server, to facilitate media sharing among devices attached to the home network. Media streaming is also supported for devices that run Windows Media Connect.

In addition to hardware support, Diskeeper, Embedded Automation, F-Secure, Iron Mountain, Lagotek, PacketVideo, Riptopia and Sage Media have announced plans to integrate their products into the Windows Home Server environment. The Windows Home Server software is not available with Macintosh or Linux clients, but users can manually back up these systems onto Windows Home Server. Microsoft has also done away with drive letters in the Windows Home Server product. Each volume is mounted by name, and devices are identified by device type.

Microsoft is slated to release Windows Home Server 2008 ahead of three other 2008 products, including Windows Server 2008, Windows SQL Server 2008 and Visual Basic 2008, which are scheduled for release in late-February.

Xbox 360 Woes Mount

In other Microsoft-related news, a class action lawsuit was filed in Fort Lauderdale, FL claiming that the Xbox 360 was responsible for catastrophic damage to discs inserted into the device during "normal and intended" use. The class action suit follows revelations that consumer warranty claims on the Xbox 360 related to damage from overheating would exceed USD$1 billion. The device reportedly has a failure rate of 33 percent, which prompted Microsoft to extend the device warranty from 90 days to three years, with an offer to reimburse users who have already paid for repairs out-of-pocket.