With the launch of Windows Home Server Vail’s first Preview Refresh, Microsoft revealed one of the major improvements in the new platform – support for Mac OS. Whilst HP has supported Mac OS on the MediaSmart Server for some time, those with hardware from other manufacturers as well as self-builders with Macs were left out in the cold.
Vail creates a level playing field, with the base operating system supporting the backup of Mac OS computers as well as the inclusion of a bespoke Windows Home Server Connector and Launchpad for Mac.
Whilst Mac support is still incomplete and a little rough around the edges, it’s clear to see the inclusive direction being taken by Microsoft. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for Mac owners.
Windows Home Server Connector for Mac
Install the Windows Home Server Connector on a PC (by accessing http://yourservername/Connect) and you’ll see the first hints of Mac support, with the option to download software for Mac offered in tiny writing underneath the PC download. Click the option and you can download a .dmg with the Windows Home Server Connector application for Mac.
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Testing access to the connector on the Mac was more problematic (for me anyway).Trying http://yourservername/Connect in Safari did not open the splash page with the home server refusing to be found.
It may well be that using the server’s IP address rather than device name would do the trick – however, I had the dmg file already downloaded and ready on a USB stick. So for now, let’s assume the link will be fixed and the file is downloaded to the desktop.
Opening the Mac Connector application runs a connection wizard which is broadly similar to that which runs on the PC to connect the computer to Windows Home Server.
Note however that you’ll need the server’s IP address for the initial connection and there’s no option for waking the Mac for backup (as Time Machine will ultimately take care of the backup schedule).
Before closing the wizard, you have the option to automatically run the Windows Home Server Launchpad at startup.
Windows Home Server Launchpad
The connector installs a Mac-specific version of the Windows Home Server Launchpad, which differs slightly from the PC version in a couple of ways. Firstly, you’ll see that there is currently no option for accessing the Dashboard from the Mac – at this point, we do not know if this option will be enabled in a future release candidate, but we certainly hope so.
Given HP managed to implement Windows Home Server Console access in v1 via Microsoft’s own Remote Desktop Client for Mac, you’d think this was achievable, but we’ll see. Here’s the Mac Launchpad, followed by the PC version for reference.
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As you can see, the Mac version still needs the correct fonts dropping in, but with the exception of the Dashboard link, appears very similar and even has the green icon in the dock (the PC Launchpad icon is still blue in RC0).
Time Machine Backup
Whilst the links through to Time Machine are operational, it looks as if the full integration with Windows Home Server is yet to happen, as Time Machine was unable to locate Windows Home Server as a selection for the Backup Disk.
Only the USB key and my Boot Camp partition were discovered. We’re looking forward to testing out backup and restore in the next refresh.
Remote Access Website
The home server’s remote website is also mostly usable in Safari. Much like the PC experience, the layout can be customised via drag and drop, and the media playing experience is also very similar.
You’ll be asked to install the Mac Silverlight client if it is not already installed. As remote desktop access to PCs and the server is only available in Internet Explorer, you’ll receive the same error message in Safari as non-IE users will see on the PC.
Once the Mac Connector is installed, you can check out the Dashboard (on the PC only at the moment!) and see the Mac included as one of your connected computers, although obviously the Backup status is reported as Not Set Up.
So, that’s Mac support in Windows Home Server Vail RC0 – hopefully there’s more to come, especially access to the Dashboard from the Mac. If you’re a Mac user, tell us what you think about the new features.
Source:http://www.wegotserved.com/2010/08/16/windows-home-server-vail-preview-mac-support-deep-dive/
