Microsoft unveils Windows Home Server beta 2

The first Windows Home Server products are scheduled to ship by the third quarter of 2007

Microsoft has released a second beta of its Windows Home Server back-up and media server application. 

First unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show last month, Windows Home Server offers to back-up data on home networks, and acts as a print, file and media server.

The devices are scheduled for availability by the third quarter of this year.

The beta was previously limited to Microsoft's employees and hardware partners, but has now been opened to the general public.

Consumers can register for the programme on Microsoft's Windows Home Server website. Participants have to provide their own computer to run the software. 

The final product will be a bundle of hardware and software such as HP's MediaSmart Server.

• A video demonstration of the Windows Home Server software and hardware reference designs is available on vnunet.com's CES Blog