I have Windows Home Server installed, my home computers are connected to it and everything seems to be working well. Now, can I install Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 on the Home Server or will this break something? Only one way to find out without doing some background reading and that's to go ahead and install it.

Ready to install, OK.

So far, so good.

Finally, installed and no issues reported. Checking the Windows Home Server console suggests that all is well and the Virtual Server admin site appears to be working too. Next thing to do is add a virtual machine to the Virtual Server and see how that gets on.

I’ve been interested in Windows Home Server for a while now and this weekend I installed an evaluation copy on a dusty, old and noisy desktop. Apart from the advertised features of the Windows Home Server, I was interested in what else the Server could do for me.

The Home Servers key features are based around its ability to act as a central file server and perform scheduled backups of the machines on the Home Server network. Should something go wrong on one of those machines, Windows Home Server will restore that machine to the last backup using a Restore CD.

I knew Home Server was based a Windows 2003 Server, but suspected that some of the 2003 Server features would be limited or disabled.  I’ve always liked Windows 2003, its fast, secure, has II6 and it doesn’t demand a high specification machine. In fact the minimum hardware specification for the Home server is as follows:

• Computer with 1 GHz Pentium III (or equivalent) or faster processor
• 512 MB of RAM or more
• 70 GB or larger ATA, SATA, or SCSI hard drive as the primary hard drive and any number of additional hard drives of any size. These additional drives can be attached via USB or Fire wire.
• DVD drive—your home server must be capable of booting from this drive
• VGA or higher-resolution monitor for software installation
• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device (needed only during initial home server software installation)
• 100 Mbps or faster Ethernet network interface card

To run Windows Home Server, your home network must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Internet broadband router with a 100 Mbps or faster wired Ethernet connection connected to the Home server
• The Windows Home Server assumes that each of the home computers get their IP address from the router/firewall.
  Obviously, In order to share resources remotely you’ll also need a Broadband connection.

One thing that’s interesting is that a wireless connection between Windows Home Server and your network is not supported. Windows Home Server must be physically connected to a wired Ethernet port on your router.

Below are a few screen shots which came up during the installation, there are couple of interesting screens with text such as "Small Business Edition" and so on...

Now that I have the evaluation of Windows Home Server installed, I'll have a look at installing Virtual Server 2005 and a few other things to see what's possible.

Inspired by a recent post on big Als blog, I decided to see what kind of performance I got from my so called 8Mb connection. Unsurprisingly it's nothing like the advertised 8mb.

Then again, it doesn't look that bad, does it?

The great science fiction author and visionary, Sir Arthur C Clarke has died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90. In his long life he has inspired many with an interest in science and technology, including myself.

What have we lost?

I've got 1GB of RAM in my Dell Inspiron 9200, and I could do with a little more memory, especially when running a Virtual Machine along with any other applications on the host OS, which is XP Pro.

When I got my machine 1GB was a good choice, any more than that and DELL would have charged me as much as the price of the laptop again. Unfortunately this memory is configured as 2 512MB SODIMMS, so I'll have to ditch at least one of the modules in order to upgrade.

I got an email from a well known memory supplier this morning and it was offering a discount of £5 on any order over £50. While the discount offer isn't that attractive, I thought I'd check out the current prices anyway.

DDR 1GB SODIMM, £51.69 Including VAT.
DDR2 1GB SODIMM, £14.09 Including VAT.

This price difference seems rather unfair to me and two thoughts sprang to mind. Is DDR memory in short supply due to increased demand resulting from old spec machines sold with Vista or has the manufacturing focus moved onto DDR2 and DDR3 meaning DDR production levels are greatly reduced.

I had a chat with a sales agent from the company and he stated that "as DDR is much older, they have less of it in stock and that's why the prices are higher".

hmm, perhaps I'll just leave it and think about when I replace my current laptop.