Vista Home Premium and Windows Home Server

[atbnet]

In order to shave some of the cost of my next build I am considering going with Vista Home Premium 64 bit instead of Ultimate. The difference is about $77 right now. However, after I build my new machine I would like to setup a Windows Home Server with my current computer. I am just wondering if I will lose any function compared to if I stuck with Ultimate? I know you can't RDP into Vista Home Premium but I read that you can still RDP out. Is this true? I just want to be able to control my home server without the loss of any function.

 

[RebateMonger]

You can get RDP clients (allowing you to log onto ANOTHER computer remotely) for every Microsoft OS from Windows 98 onwards.

 

[gpgofast]

Currently there is no 64 bit connector for WHS. It is supposed to be released in the first half of 2008, so for 64 bit OS's, the backup functionality will NOT work with any 64 bit OS. The file sharing works great though...GP

 

[stash]

I just want to be able to control my home server without the loss of any function

It's nice to be able to RDP into the WHS box, but you should rarely need to do this. Most of the administration of the server is done through the WHS console, which can be accessed on any client that has the WHS client installed.

It uses RDP to make the connection in the background, but the interface is completely different: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...8Server_Storage%29.png

 

[atbnet]

Originally posted by: gpgofast
Currently there is no 64 bit connector for WHS. It is supposed to be released in the first half of 2008, so for 64 bit OS's, the backup functionality will NOT work with any 64 bit OS. The file sharing works great though...GP

I completely forgot it doesn't support 64 bit. When I first was looking at WHS I didn't think I would be building myself a new machine rather I was planning on building a WHS. So I guess that solves my problem for now.

I'll just go with Vista Home Premium since it doesn't seem to limit any function. Thanks everyone.

 

[atbnet]

Originally posted by: stash

I just want to be able to control my home server without the loss of any function

It's nice to be able to RDP into the WHS box, but you should rarely need to do this. Most of the administration of the server is done through the WHS console, which can be accessed on any client that has the WHS client installed.

It uses RDP to make the connection in the background, but the interface is completely different: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...8Server_Storage%29.png

Good information. I wasn't sure how WHS machines needed to be admined and figured I would need some sort of access to the machine to set things up. That interface they provide seems to do the job nicely.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: atbnet
I completely forgot it doesn't support 64 bit.

Stash has been mentioning that Feature Pack 1 for WHS will include a 64-bit connector for the WHS backups.

Edit: I keep forgetting. It's "Power Pack 1", not "Feature Pack 1".
Description of Power Pack 1 for WHS (zdnet.com)
Windows Home Server Team Blog - Power Pack 1

 

[atbnet]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: atbnet
I completely forgot it doesn't support 64 bit.

Stash has been mentioning that Feature Pack 1 for WHS will include a 64-bit connector for the WHS backups.

I'll keep my eyes open for any new WHS updates. It's going to be more of a project rather than something I need. So I want to make sure it works properly with my systems.

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: atbnet
In order to shave some of the cost of my next build I am considering going with Vista Home Premium 64 bit instead of Ultimate. The difference is about $77 right now. However, after I build my new machine I would like to setup a Windows Home Server with my current computer. I am just wondering if I will lose any function compared to if I stuck with Ultimate? I know you can't RDP into Vista Home Premium but I read that you can still RDP out. Is this true? I just want to be able to control my home server without the loss of any function.

Vista Home Premium has the RDP client so you can connect to other PCs that allow incoming RDP. I do this all the time from my Vista Home Premium laptop to my Vista Ultimate desktop.