Chris Lanier

I would want to see something like a simplified version of SBS 2003. It would run similar server apps but far less functionality would be exposed and would be simpler to set up and administer. I recently switched to running SBS 2003 at home. While I like the functionality and find all the configuration options interesting, I would have purchased something like I am describing had it been available. Here are some of the specific functions I would want to see enabled: file server with more flexibile security settings; common log on by other PCs in the domain; WSUS; allowing Outlook clients to share information on an Exchange server; centralized backup; keeping My Documents for each user on the server; a home version of sharepoint; remote web access to email.

If this is all true... Then the most important features for home users would be usability with Media Center. Like centtral store for all media, ability for MCE PCs' to actually share tv with out any hacks, DVD streaming would be awsome, and intergrated guide for all MCE MAchines not just extenders.

Who knows maybe this is what we have all be waiting for... An Actual Medai Center Server.

MS has the business space covered obviously, so a "Home Server" needs to focus on making it easier for people to store and access their music and video from a central location.

As well, it should close to a turnkey solution. Don't make people jump through hoops to use it and Microsoft can make the PS3 irrelevant via the PC/Xbox360 two-headed monster.

I can think of some ideas:

* Softsled functionality (finally).  

* Homeseer-like functionality with a full-featured API and a solid integration with MCE.  

* A good IIS application to make home content available on the web, like Orb (but with less glitches than Orb).

* If the thing runs MCE, then it should support multiple simultaneous logins (so you can login via RDC without interrupting the MCE session).  Of course, being a "server" I'm not convinced it should run MCE.  In fact, one could argue it should be headless without a graphics card, but maybe that's a little crazy.

Of course, I'm quite sure that none of this is being developed and instead it'll be a re-branded version of Vista Home Premium with with a slightly different configuration layer.

Correction:

By this:

Of course, being a "server" I'm not convinced it should run MCE.

I really mean this:

Of course, being a "server" I'm not convinced it should run MCE on a TV.  Rather, it should record/gather/manage content and serve it to extenders and client computers (which themselves are connected to TV's).

I'm on board with Aaron's feature list... Right now I've got a Linux box setup as a Firewall/Router with about 1TB of storage that I use to serve up media to the other PCs in my house. I wouldn't mind replacing That Linux box and my MCE HTPC with a Window Home Server and a few extenders. Ideally I'd put a Rack out in my Garage house the Home Server and the rest of my networking gear that's out there already...

I'm on board with Aaron's comments as well.  However I think that it will also incorporate multimedia RDP as described in this Wyse+Microsoft article.  That would be a solution that no one could touch...

http://www.computing.co.uk/itweek/news/2163595/microsoft-wyse-help-thin?vnu_lt=ctg_art_related_articles

How about coordinated program recording...one master record list with record duties assigned to available tuners.

-trevor

What would I want for a Home Server?? Well right now I'm runing MicroSoft SBS at home.  Share point does help coordinate comming and going of busy life, but what I really like is having an outlook server.  I can now get my mail on any computer in the house and still have a common view of my files.   So it should have most all of the current functionality of SBS.  

It would be nice if allowed MCExtenders to connect.  It should support various media-player servers, via a standard plugin,  so if I wanted UPNP or ITUNES server it would do that.  I would really like better reporting on usage, are the kids spending more time on their homework or playing Halo, what web domains occupy their time, myspace/youtube or ??   I guess I would rather have more tools to help me manage my HOME (family) rather than manage my media.

Les

As has been stated, the focus should be on managing media centrally.  I like my MCE machine, but I want an MCE server with multiple head-units throughout the house...all sharing a common storage base.  All of the music, recorded TV, ripped DVDs can be put on the central server and accessed from anywhere.  If I want to rip a CD/DVD from any of the client computers, it puts it on the central machine for all other clients to use.  Central TV recording info would be good.  Even support for multi tuners on the server itself would be a nice bonus.  We also really need support for a PC client, not just a striped down extender or XBOX.

Email, routing, spam, etc are all nice -- but the focus still needs to remain media (and perhaps related home automation).  Why else announce at CES if not for a media focus.

Well, here's a link to the high level feature list:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/windows-home-server-everything-you-need-features-rundown-scre/

Seems kinda cool, but this is what kills it for me:

"It cannot directly stream media to Media Center Extenders"

Looks like another half-assed implementation IMO.  I'm not about to have two computers  whirring away 24/7 (one for MCE and one for the content).  I'd rather consolidate these features into my MCE machine, and I don't see anything in the list that can't be accomplished by third party products (maybe with the exception of the Live integration which I'm not interested in anyway).