Windows Home Server “Vail” (the second version of Windows Home Server) slated for release by Microsoft next year already suffered a significant setback and subsequent public backlash last week after the announcement that its Drive Extender functionality was to be dropped. Drive Extender provided the very popular storage pooling and selective folder redundancy features found in the original Windows Home Server released several years ago.
In what could be perceived as another nail in the coffin for Vail, HP announced that its line of MediaSmart Servers will be retired in favour of supporting Drobo, a company providing network attached storage (NAS) solutions for small to medium businesses. Whilst Microsoft is playing down the significance of this announcement HP was probably the frontrunner amongst partners promoting Windows Home Server and plug-and-play devices for consumers. With HP out of the picture other players such as Acer are left to fill the void – as to whether or not they and the platform will succeed is an entirely different matter.
I certainly can’t help but feel that this is the beginning of a sad ending for a unique and special product that somehow made it out of Microsoft. Despite a troubled beginning with a nasty bug that caused data corruption, WHS carved out quite a niche for itself. I found myself openly advocating the HP MediaSmart Server as a storage solution for friends and colleagues but in lieu of HP it seems that Tranquil PC in the UK offers a suitable replacement (although international shipping and warranty might be problematic).
With or without the support of HP things aren’t shaping up too well for Vail. I can only hope things will improve but I am slowly losing faith that WHS will be out for the count before the second round even began.
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