- File sharing? – The desktop version of Windows can share files with up to 10 remote clients (same limit as WHS)
- Printer sharing? – Any version of windows can share a printer on the network; However, all of my printers are actually on the network themselves (wired and wireless) implicitly available. There is no need for “sharing” via desktop or server OS.
- Remote Access? – The desktop version of Windows contains a remote access client and a remote access server. You can manage security and access to multiple machines with appropriate firewall or NAT router settings.
- Data Redundancy? – Many motherboards/chipsets support raid below the OS level.
- Media Sharing? – Any version of windows can share media (Media Center, iTunes, etc)
- Centralized System Policy (or parental controls), centralized users and groups, web server, mail server, database server, proxy server, etc – nope.
So, that leaves the most excellent whole-house backup system, and the hot-swap disk spanning technology.
I like to call WHS “Windows Home Backup”. WHB?