As I mentioned, I've now got WHS installed on some temporary hardware (pretty much minimum spec (actually it's the kids computer!) so that I can have a good look and share it with you now that the WHS forum is live and the NDA is lifted.
As you no doubt already know, the code base for WHS stems from Windows Server 2003 and the installation therefore parallels a Server 2003 install. It's quite interesting to note that the DOS part of the install actually mentions Small Business Server 2003.
Once you're up and running and logged on to WHS you are instantly warned by way of a page in IE that mucking about with the server in the normal way you would can break key functionality:
Should you need to you can run "control" from the Run box to bring up the Control Panel - it is hidden from the Start Menu by default.
This all goes toward satisfying the call for WHS to be simple to setup and use. If everything you do comes from the WHS Console then all your options are in one easy place. Once WHS is installed and connected you should really scrap the mouse and keyboard and just connect remotely, ideally with the Console.
The WHS Console itself is easy to understand at a glance with plenty of help links dotted about should you have any queries. Here's a few shots (click on the thumbnails to view the full size pictures)
It's as easy as pie to add new users or new folders:
If you have more than one hard drive installed WHS turns on Folder Duplication by default which acts just like mirroring in Raid
The one difference with WHS, however, is that it includes Drive Extender which automatically adds new drives to the available space like spanning.
As mentioned, the idea behind WHS is that it is simple to use and configure and just about everything you need is available within the settings in the Console window:
Part of the brilliance of the WHS idea is that,not only can you access your data from any PC within your home, but also that you can access your data AND home computers from over the web. IIS is already configured on install with the WHS web interface available on port 80 (I've had to change the SSL port as this blog and Exchange are already using up ports through the router).
The web interface again gives you access to just about everything you would need:
Not only can you access your data but you can also upload remotely over the web UI, you can also change the way Remote Desktop windows appear
Although this is only Beta 2 it is a very fully featured product. My only gripe so far is that the desktop console is a little misleading. You can only actually connect to the console using the administrator account and password but the console window says "Remember my password" as though you are going to connect with your own account.
That's all for now, more as and when I get to play with it a bit more.