Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows
Home > Type > News > Windows Home Server 120 day evaluation

Windows Home Server 120 day evaluation

Nov. 4, 2007 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Microsoft offers up a free eval version of Windows Home Server:

Can't wait to centralize and showcase your family's memories and media? Order the Windows Home Server 120-Day Evaluation Kit today. You're just a few clicks away from a new digital life.

What will you receive?

  • Windows Home Server Installation DVD
  • Windows Home Server Connector CD
  • Home Computer Restore CD

Are you ready?
This software is intended for evaluation purposes only. In order to preserve your existing data, you must backup prior to installation. The setup process for server installation will erase any existing data.

To install the Windows Home Server 120-Day Evaluation Kit, you need:

  • 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
  • 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/firewall device with a 100 Mbps or faster wired Ethernet connection for your home server
  • Windows Home Server assumes that your home computers get their IP address from the router/firewall device on your home network
  • Broadband connection (fees may apply)

Notes:
A wireless connection between Windows Home Server and your network is not supported. You must have a wired Ethernet port available on your router/firewall device for your Home Server. However, home computers connected wirelessly to a wireless router/firewall device in your home can access your Home Server.

Order your 120-day trial.
Why wait? Order the Windows Home Server 120-Day Evaluation Kit now to protect, connect, and organize your photos, videos, music and more.

Order Now

Discuss this Article 4

RunTimeError
on Nov 4, 2007
Go to the site. Read the fine print: "*You may need to add services from your broadband provider to use Windows Home Server's remote access features. For example, you will need certain "ports" to be open to use these features. Some broadband providers block certain ports for customers on some service plans. Also, some broadband providers' terms of service may limit or prohibit setting up and running of "servers" on their networks by some customers on some service plans. Make sure that your use of Windows Home Server features follows your broadband providers' terms of service. Please contact your broadband provider if you have questions about their terms of service." Nice and easy, no?
Waethorn
on Nov 4, 2007
What that is all about is because some ISP's block incoming port 80 connections. Windows Home Server allows you to have a subdomain connected to your home server in the form of http://YOURSUBDOMAIN.homeserver.com . Because many ISP's use dynamic IP addresses, that's just not feasible unless you have automatically updating DNS services (what translates someone's www.com address request to an IP address). Windows Home Server already provides that support, similar to dyndns.org, no-ip.com, etc. However, if your ISP blocks incoming port 80 (the standard http port), it won't do any good. Also, some ISP's have fine print in their terms of service for home users that make you agree not to use your connection for a server. Usually this is because upstream bandwidth costs more than downstream bandwidth, and the reason why many ISP's use asymmetrical speeds, and don't like P2P services. Usually most ISP's would prefer that you pay extra for a business account if you want to use the connection for a server. Microsoft is just covering their ass by stating all of this, rather than promising that Windows Home Server provides the same internet connectivity functionality on every internet connection.
Waethorn
on Nov 4, 2007
As a side note, if your ISP blocks port 80, you could always sign up with a company such as No-IP.com, which supports port 80 redirect. This is also helpful if you need to host multiple servers off of one IP address, like I do. Currently I use SBS running my company website on a non-standard port, and Windows Home Server on port 80 (because I haven't bothered to figure out how to change WHS yet, but IIS on SBS is easy). Both redirect to the same IP, but No-IP.com redirects the IIS/SBS port internally. The user visiting my site doesn't need to specify the port either. I dunno if they offer port 80 redirects with their free subdomains since I pay for a full domain name. Worth a look though.
bdehamer
on Nov 9, 2007
Paul, is it true the the media sharing feature in WHS can't serve up H.264 files to the XBox 360? What's the scoop on that? Seems like a major oversight.

Please or Register to post comments.

Related Articles

IT/Dev Connections

Las Vegas
September 30th - October 4th

Paul ThurottYou'll have the opportunity to experience:
• 120 Technical
Sessions
• Networking with Peers
• Expert Speakers


Come See Paul Thurrott & Mary Jo Foley in Person!

Register Now

Office 365 InfoCenter

Get the latest insight and info from Paul

Read Now!

What I Use
Apr. 18, 2013
Article

What I Use: On the Road 21

Every so often, I publish an updated version of my “What I Use” document, which details the technology products and services I actually use day-to-day. Since I’m currently on my third business trip in five weeks, this is perhaps an ideal time to discuss the technology products I rely on when I travel and a few related points....More
Mar. 6, 2013
Article

What I Use: March 2013 33

Lots of changes since November, including a new PC-based home server running Windows 8, several new smart phones, new PCs and tablets, new cloud backup, Office 365 Home Premium and a nice doubling of my Internet speeds courtesy of Verizon FIOS....More
WinSuperSite.com
Related Penton Sites
Copyright © 2013 Penton Media, Inc