Microsoft is hell-bent on making Windows Home Server (WHS) the center of the home network universe. At WinHec, Bill Gates demonstrated the soon-to-be-released product, announced new hardware and software partners, and launched a “code challenge” to spur development of hardware and software add-in solutions.

Windows Home Server is grown-up server software for consumers. Built on the Windows NT platform and in development for years, WHS lets you centralize, share and protect digital pictures, music, video, and the like. 

More importantly, WHS is spurring the development of hardware home server products, including HP’s MediaSmart Server and Medion’s Home Server. The latter will store up to 2 terabytes of data, includes special software for smooth media streaming, and will be DLNA compliant.

Could the pieces finally be coming together?

Or, would I actually pay money for this? Quite possibly. Is it reason to upgrade my systems to Windows Vista?  Errr … maybe the only one. Check out this list of vendors that will support WHS:

• Diskeeper Corp.‘s Diskeeper 2007 software will support Windows Home Server to enhance system speed and reliability.
  
• Embedded Automation Inc.‘s mControl software will integrate with Windows Home Server to help consumers manage home lighting systems, security cameras, climate control, and audio and visual components.
  
• F-Secure Corp. software will work with Windows Home Server to protect computers from viruses and other threats from the Internet and mobile networks.
  
• Iron Mountain will integrate its data protection services with Windows Home Server.
  
• Lagotek Corp.‘s Home Intelligence Platform for home automation will support Windows Home Server.
  
• PacketVideo Corp.‘s PacketVideo Connect will enable DLNA 1.0-certified, DLNA 1.5-compliant and universal plug-and-play media streaming from Windows Home Server to a variety of entertainment devices in the home.
  
• Riptopia CD loading service for Windows Home Server will convert and load a customer’s entire CD collection for storage and protection on Windows Home Server.
  
• SageTV’s SageTV Placeshifter software works with Windows Home Server to provide “always on” access to personal media and online content.

In addition, HP has developed software to run on Windows Home Server within the HP MediaSmart Server, including an enhanced Windows Home Server console, Web photo sharing and media sharing.

Toni Kistner - Contributing Writer

Toni Kistner is a technology writer living in Cambridge, Mass. Her main focus is networking and wireless technology.