Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7 app to enable remote Windows Server access

Microsoft has launched a Windows Server Phone Connector designed to allow IT administrators at smaller firms to remotely access and manage servers using a Windows Phone 7 handset.

The app integrates smartphones with Windows Home Server 2011, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials.

Customers simply have to download the relevant application to their Windows Phone device from the Zune Marketplace and install a server update to trigger the integration.

Once installed, the Windows Phone can be used to perform remote management tasks such as viewing alerts and managing users, as well as start and stop backups, explained Microsoft in the Windows Home Server Team blog.

"The Windows Server Solutions Phone Connector add-in enables you to connect to your home, business or storage server using your Windows Phone 7 phone," the firm said.

"In addition, with appropriate permissions, you can use your phone to view or access media files stored on the server."

The apps all have the same basic functionality, the only difference being that Windows SBS 2011 Essentials does not support media streaming.

There is also a Live Tile application that displays basic information on the homescreen including the number and type of network health alerts, percentage of storage space on the main disk and the name of the server that is sending information.

The app appears tailored more for home use at present, but Microsoft is expected to release additional business functionality in a bid to increase the uptake of Windows Phone devices in the enterprise.