Microsoft has posted a list of the new features in the recently released Windows Home Server "Vail" preview refresh. If you've not seen this on the Connect site yet, it goes like so:
Server Deployment
Added page to IC for checking the server time and date
On headed setups (IC), if Keyboard layout chosen is non-ascii, then the user is given the choice to toggle keyboard back to English in order to enter an ascii password
Client Deployment
Client installation now using.NET Framework 4.0
Open DNS support/mitigations
Finalizing uninstall process
Client servicing support
Web request and Custom Action for client-side UI OEM branding support
Blocking logic for max number of computers attached to server
Blocking non-ASCII computer names to join
Trim client-language support to match server language
Adding Mac support to client join Web site
Bug fixes and UI updates
Health and Alerts
Full set of health definitions covering client/server backup, storage, networking, etc
Inclusion of additional alert troubleshooting capability
Client side controls for filtering alerts
Alert Email integration – configure the server to send alerts via Email
Updates to alert viewer including organize alerts by computer or alert severity
Identity
Device password reset
User password reset
User password policy
User Limits & Warnings
Storage
New Storage summary page which provides a high level overview of storage usage on the server including:
Previous Versions for Server Folders are turned on by default and are exposed in folder properties
File system meta-data is replicated for non-duplicated folders to keep non-duplicated folders accessible in case of a single hard drive failure
Check and repair functionality (chkdsk) is now exposed for all server backup hard drives
By default non-default storage pools are locked to prevent accidental data loss
Added a read-only check for folder
Dashboard
“Safe mode” - if an add-in takes down the dashboard , Vail will detect it & allow the user to choose whether it is loaded when the Dashboard restarts
Add-in scrolling” in the tab strip
Dashboard sign in on client UI refresh
Launchpad
New User experience
“Offline” mode – if the user cannot sign into the Launchpad , we will allow them to work in an offline mode , whereby they can access Remote Access link or 3rd party links that do not need connection to the server
“Settings dialog” , that allows the user to customize what alerts they will see on their client
3rd party add-ins to LP can control access on a per user basis
Remote Access
Networking
Domain Name Infrastructure
Web UI
Media
Settings UI
SDK - APIs to support BPOS integration
Mac Support
Onboarding experience similar as Windows
Managed device in dashboard
Launchpad for the mac
Alert viewer for the mac
Add in provider for the mac
Media
Optimize streaming video server performance (media settings page)
Media Center Integration - New server folders are added to Win7 client computer libraries after client deployment is complete.
HomeGroup
Leave HG, view HG password, change HG password wizards.
HG task added to the sharing options getting started task.
HG password-out-of-sync status
Multiple Homegroups in the same network –conflict resolution scenario. Server is in HG and detects that there is a larger HG in the same home network. The HG settings page notifies user to join to existing larger HG.