Microsoft releases Windows Home Server SDK

If you're champing at the bit to build applications that will be able to take advantage of Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Home Server (WHS) product, you might want to download the newly released beta version of the WHS software development kit (SDK).

As Microsoft explains:

"The SDK will enable hobbyist and professional developers to build applications that run on Windows Home Server and extend the functionality of the Windows Home Server Console on home computers, or to build applications that run on a home computer and connect to Windows Home Server."

Microsoft is readying another new Community Technology Preview (CTP) interim test release of WHS, officials said on April 5, and will integrate the WHS SDK with that release, once it is available.

Microsoft released Beta 2 of WHS in February. The final version of WHS is due out in the latter half of 2007.

There has been some conflicting and confusing information circulating as to how Microsoft plans to distribute the product. I asked Microsoft for clarification.

Company officials said to expect the final WHS release to be preloaded on systems/appliances/devices built by ODMs, or original device manufacturers. Microsoft also is considering making a version of the final WHS release available to system builders interested in preloading it on custom-built systems. The WHS product will not be available at retail.