[Rollin]

Windows Home Server code name "Vail" Public Preview is now available!

Its on connect ATM.

I blu the motherboard on the WHS this weekend (very old Dell PC), went out & picked up 2 new huge Hdd, Intel CPU & MB for great prices. Probably won't test this as I do want to keep the WHS in production.

As soon as the new (RTM) Vail is available I will upgrade to that, no telling when that might be though.

[shreader]

I see its on the Windows Blog now

Wanna Peek at the Next Version of Windows Home Server? Check out the new public beta for Windows Home Server, Code Name “Vail”

Dave Berkowitz
12:47 PM Monday Apr 26, 2010


Many of you may already know that Microsoft has been hard at work on the next version of Windows Home Server. We are excited to announce today that the beta of this next version (code name “Vail”) is now available. We invite everyone to check it out by downloading the software from the Microsoft Connect site. (English language builds are available now). We are releasing this Vail beta with one express goal: to solicit your feedback!

So what’s new and exciting in this next version? Although we’re still in the midst of development work (and things may change), we can say that Vail includes feature improvements in four key areas:

•Extending media streaming outside the home or office
•Multi-PC backup and restore
•Simplified setup and user experience
•Expanded development and customization tools for partners
Check out a short demo of some of the new features here.

[yeshuas]

I downloaded and installed it in a VHD in Windows Server 2008 R2 using Hyper-V I created a 250GB VHD, which it expanded to what the screenshot shows after checking boxes when I joined Vail to the Homegroup
here are a couple screenies

[yeshuas]

Went to change the desktop background and low and behold Windows Server 2008 R2 LOL

[yeshuas]

I really am glad this is for all intents and purposes Windows Sever 2008 R2, well an easier to use and learn version at any rate, plus it is 64 bit.

[mnemonicj]

Agreed, Windows Server 2008 = Vista. There is a lot not to like. Windows Server 2008 R2 = Windows 7.

[Nativedude]

One thing I'm kinda disappointed in is that they didn't put direct TV Tuner support in it, so ya can't host tv from a single place, or record your show without taking up one of the main pc's

[yeshuas]

One thing I'm kinda disappointed in is that they didn't put direct TV Tuner support in it, so ya can't host tv from a single place, or record your show without taking up one of the main pc's

It was my understanding that, the purpose of Windows Home Server was to be the local storage for a variety of PC, with one of them possibly being a media center PC, so yes having one setup with a TV tuner to receive the TV programs etc would be perfect.
Personally I have one setup to do that with Windows Media Center 2005 since I have had my ATI Tuner card for a while and ii works, just doesn't handle HD tv, but that is alright for now. I have it saving my TV programs that I am no able to watch because I am working at the time they are on to the Recorded TV programs folder on the Windows Home Server so I can share them to any room in the house that has a computer, connected to the network, which is all of them (-:

[shreader]

My clean install took approx.. 50 minutes on a 1.5 TB Hdd.
I didn’t notice any hiccups besides it seemed like it kept “Updating & preparing your server” & then restarting, a lot.

Hard drives


Server Manager


After installing the Connector software there is 3 added PC desktop shortcuts.


Reading the “Getting Started Guide” there appears to many new features besides being based on Windows Server® 2008 R2, as Daniel mentioned above.
*Here are a few things it talks about:

Remote Access is now based on Silverlight®
Ex: Remote streaming of your media through the Internet so you can access your multimedia virtually anywhere, anytime you’re online.

HomeGroup Support

Backup the Backups

Drive Extender Enhancements

The Dashboard, Launchpad, and Extensibility

[yeshuas]

I did a clean install on my Intel 945GTP with a D930 pentium dual core with 1 GB Ram, I know barely enough computer etc. it took, 70 minutes to complete with updates and all.

One thing it is missing is the Hyper-V role at least I haven't found where to add it yet, guess I will have to use VMWare Workstation until then.