windows home server?

[lodore]

Hello,
is windows home server any good? anyone here used it or use it?
as a student i managed to get windows 2003 server standard edition for free.
of course grabbed it quick because i thought microsoft would take it away but strangely the offer is still there. microsoft being generous? what has the world come to lol
i found a guide on toms hardware link
the problem with windows 2003 is getting secuirty for it. aka expensive pricing for home user.
best deal i can get is nod32 business license 5 user normal price £91,with student discount £45
of course by using windows server 2003 i get more control and save around £81 which i can use on buying some software.
my older computer has windows xp home and my desktop has windows vista home premium.
so cant connect them to a domain. i can still view shared folders even if i set up server2003 as a domain controller cant i?

the other thing is what power of rig would i need to run eiether windows server 2003 for a home server or windows home server for a few users?

[Splash]

WHS is still a server OS, so you're likely to hit the same problems as you're seeing with 2k3 in terms of software installation.

[aidanjt]

In fact WHS is Windows 2003 SBS SP2 with a few extra bits added and a few disabled.

[lodore]

Hello Splash,i havent had any problems with program installation on windows server 2003. just had the problem that mostly antivirus software for windows server 2003 is quite expensive. best deal i got with student discount was 5 licenses for £45. business licenses normally come in packs of 3 of more. for eset 5 or more.

[Splash]

Hello Splash,i havent had any problems with program installation on windows server 2003. just had the problem that mostly antivirus software for windows server 2003 is quite expensive. best deal i got with student discount was 5 licenses for £45. business licenses normally come in packs of 3 of more. for eset 5 or more.

That's kinda what I meant - WHS will be detected as a server OS, so most Workstation only software won't install - you'll need the server variants. Think AV/Firewall/backup software.

[mikerr]

In fact WHS is Windows 2003 SBS SP2 with a few extra bits added and a few disabled.

Exchange being one of those bits removed, which is the main reason for using SBS...

I prefer to think of WHS as a cut down windows 2003 server.

[lodore]

Hey Splash,
that is true but since WHS there will be special versions devoloped for it at home user prices. such as f-secure WHS and avast WHS