Microsoft integrates WP7 and Window Home Server

SOFTWARE HOUSE Microsoft has launched Windows Server Solutions Phone Connector to integrate Windows Phone 7 (WP7) and Windows Home Server.

With a couple of software installations at either end, a WP7 handset can now communicate with a Windows Server. You can manage your server remotely and also access content.

Via its blog, Microsoft said, "Today I am pleased to announce the Release of the Windows Server Solutions Phone Connector for Windows Home Server 2011 (aka Integrating Windows Phone 7 with your WHS 2011 Server."

The combination allows users to use a WP7 handset to connect to their home, business or storage server running Windows Home Server. The phone can then be used to perform remote server management tasks.

These include file management, viewing alerts, managing users and starting or stopping backups. You can also give your WP7 phone(s) permission access media files on the server.

This could reduce the need for storage on your smartphone. That is, if you're prepared to stream content from your server, which isn't always ideal. Files can be downloaded to the phone's storage for later viewing. You can also upload files to the server, such as after taking a photograph on the phone, for example.

The drawback is that Microsoft said, "It is not possible to stream music while tethered to a computer and connected to a Microsoft Zune application."

To enable this feature you need to install an add-in for the server and have to download and install an application for the WP7 handset. A live tile on the WP7 home screen will display information about the server like the number of alerts and the amount of available storage space.

Microsoft said there are separate apps for home, business and storage servers for WP7 phones. µ