Data Backup Digest

Windows Home Server 2011 is a software-based home server that is meant to centralize the personal files of your entire family, synchronize contact information, organize information and backup all of your data. This is not the first system designed to serve as a consumer-oriented server, but it certainly is one of the most advanced.

Accessibility

The developers at Microsoft took full advantage of their emerging Silverlight technology when designing and building Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011. This provides remote streaming of all media content, including pictures, music and video, via the Internet. This cloud-based structure even allows access to these files from anywhere within the cloud. Home users are able to take advantage of remote streaming in order to view files without the need to download them, which can save a lot of time when it comes to large videos and music files.
Compatibility

Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 also supports a multitude of different media formats, including MPEG-4, MPEG-2, AVI, MP3, AC3, AAC, LPCM, ADTS, 3GP and H.264. A number of different codecs are also supported, which allows for a greater variety of media streaming options. Supported codecs include AVCHD, WMV and WMA, with partial support available for AVI, DivX and Xvid files. Additional extensions supported by Windows Home Server 2011 include M4A, MOV, 3G2, M2T, M2Ts and MTS.

Finally, Windows Home Server 2011 even offers Home Group support, which increases compatibility with newer versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. The entire concept of the Home Group is to streamline the entire sharing process through a home network, and it works quite well when it comes to sharing and accessing files from multiple devices.

Increased Control

While past versions of Windows Home Server relied on a clunky user interface known as the Console to navigate through your network, Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 utilizes a brand new, streamlined interface known as The Dashboard. This gives you the ability to fully manage and oversee your network, including content accessibility, user maintenance, network management and file backups. The unprecedented level of control offered through Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 offers an extremely intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easily learned networking professionals and beginners alike.

File Security

Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 also offers increased file security when compared to its predecessor. For starters, the operating system is able to execute automatic backups of all network-connected PCs on a daily basis, including the server itself, so you will be able to minimize the loss of any important data. In the event that something does go wrong, Windows Home Server 2011 offers a multitude of options for restoring your lost files.

Another area of improvement when compared to previous versions is file access. Microsoft's Windows Home Server 2011 makes it easy to set personalized access to every file on your network, letting you share what you want while keeping the rest of your files private. The increased password controls of Windows Home Server 2011 allow you to protect your files and devices through the use of a network firewall.