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Yesterday I posted how Windows Live Sync and Mesh Beta could help your computing go ‘into the clouds’ but what if you want complete control and instead of having all these from Windows Live but to have them on your own ‘Home Server’.

HP has a cure to this problem in the HP EX400 Home Server series with capacities from 500GB to 1TB (1000GB) and a online price range of £418 (dabs.com) to £488 (HP Direct).

Windows Home Server
Based on the Windows Operating system and with features compatible with Windows XP and Vista (Home Premium and above) Windows Home Server is Microsoft’s answer to a full Home Cloud Computing Network.
Features include-

Full Backup and Restore ability- Once the Home Server connect application is installed on your Home PCs you can custom configure regular automated backups of your PCs. Furthermore if you accidently delete a document/file from your computer you can always restore it from the last backup.
Access Data anywhere- Similar to Windows Live Sky Drive and Sync you can access any files that are on the Home Server through the secure connection anywhere in the world. Furthermore you can steam media (in a similar way that YouTube does) over the internet playing music and videos in real time.
Remote Control your PCs- Once logged into your secure console you can directly access your Home Computers; this means you can run applications, open files/folders and even print to your home printer from across the internet.
Expandable Software- Microsoft has already released the first ‘Service Pack’ for Home Server which improves its speed and features; however you can download off the internet many new ‘Plugins’ which allow you to add new features my personal favourite being the Media Centre Plug-in.

To some having such a wide range of features may make the process seem complicated and that they might not understand how to do cretin things, but with the clear and easy to understand user interface anyone will be able to understand Windows Home Server and use it to its full potential.

You can take a look at the Windows Home Server website at this link here.

HP EX400 (EX475) Home server
HP were quick to adopt the Windows Home server platform and where one of the first to produce a Home Server for commercial production. This latest model (EX475) includes a total of 1TB capacity with additional expandability from 4 USB ports, 2 spare SATA Hard Drive bays and 1 eSATA port; Windows Home Server even has automated features for the installation of new Hard Drives so not much technical knowledge is needed. Although the cost may seem high (£418 dabs.com to £488 HP Direct) once setup you will quickly realise the potential of Windows Home Server.

You can take a look at the HP uk website here with the demo video here.
Or buy online from dabs.com @ £418.96 at this link here.

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