Backup, Share, and Remotely Access Vital Data with a Windows Home Server or a Windows Small Business Server

Chances are you have more than one computer at home, as does your small business or your employer at work. It is almost a given that your computers are connected together through a router or a switch. With documents, pictures, music, email, and other files spread across computers, it requires some thought and planning to keep track of where everything is. Not to mention the important role this data plays in our daily lives, both for fun and for profit.

It used to be that to manage computer data on networks you needed expensive servers and technicians that only large companies could afford. No more. Whether you wish to backup, secure, share and remotely access vital data at home or at work, you now have access to server technologies that are incredibly affordably and immensely useful.  And you don’t need a computer science degree to implement or to manage them.

Windows Home and Small Business Servers

Microsoft Windows Home Server (WHS) is designed for computer networks running Windows Home Starter/Basic/Premium; though any edition of Windows will connect and work with WHS. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) is geared for computer networks running Windows Professional/Ultimate because these editions support Active Directory services.
The key difference between the two server editions is that SBS supports a centralized username authentication service called Active Directory, while WHS doesn’t. On an SBS network, your account is created once on the server and that same account gives you access to all network resources (computers, files, printers) you have permissions to. On a WHS network, your account must be created separately on each computer you need access to and each of your accounts can have a separate password. WHS and SBS have been around for years. New versions of both (Windows Home Server 2011 and Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials) are scheduled for release in the first half of 2011.

Backup Automatically

WHS and SBS include the Connector software that automates the configuration and connection of computers to the server. When a computer is connected to the server, the computer gets configured to be backed up every day automatically. This allows you to easily restore accidentally deleted files or the entire content of hard drives in a few simple steps.

Share Easily

The server Dashboard application in WHS 2011 and SBS 2100 Essentials simplifies the task of administering, managing and maintaining the server. The Dashboard can be accessed and run remotely from any computer on the network by users who have permission. The Dashboard interface is organized into tabs that group functions by tasks you typically perform on the server. While the interface is simple, it includes options that allow you to configure server functions to the desired level of detail. You can also easily control permissions to shared folders. The Server Folders and Hard Drives tab in the Dashboard allows you to provide users with read only permission to data in certain folders while providing read and write permission to data on other folders. As your data storage needs grow, servers come with storage bays that allow you to expand storage space easily by adding more or larger hard drives.

The Dashboard simplifies the task of administering and managing shared folders on the server.

Access Remotely

A feature that used be called Remote Web Workplace is now called Remote Web Access in WHS 2011 and SBS 2011 Essentials. Microsoft provides a Website to associate your server with through an encrypted connection so you can remotely access shared folders on your server, or even remotely connect to computers on your network.

Conclusion

If you thought that servers are only for larger companies, you will want to think again. As the number of computers in use at homes and small businesses has increased, the need to secure, backup, and work with shared data has also grown. Servers are now offered in several editions, one of which is sure to fit your budget while simplifying the management of networked computers.

About the Author

Ranjit has been writing on computer topics since 1987 and has authored five books on CAD (MicroStation and AutoCAD). His next book (sixth) is on success in life and business (Be-A-Teacher.com). He is the founder of RAM Corporation, a licensed Professional Engineer and the Chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers National Capital Section's (asce-ncs.org) Automation Committee. He welcomes comments and feedback via email. To email the author, use the Contact Us page on this Website.