So What Are Tranquil PC Doing with Windows Home Server 2011?

As you may know, we are big fans of UK based Tranquil PC with their Windows Home Servers and their Media Center iXLs. We have had a number of exclusives in the past on their plans, and today is no exception. Here we can exclusively reveal some of their WHS 2011 plans.

Here is what David at Tranquil told me when we spoke:

We have completed our WHS (VAIL) RTM builds and will initially launch a limited number of systems on a pre-order basis (details to follow) (there will be no ‘DE like’ service on these units – although we expect users to add their own solutions – i.e. DriveBender)

During May we will then add a number of optional WHS (VAIL) servers, including advanced, multi-drive services.

These units will include a unique Add In that will deliver DE like functions – based on hardware RAID. The user will be given the option to ‘Add’ HDDs as they are inserted to the servers – if that choice is to add to the ‘Storage Pool’ then the Add In takes care of the RAID service. (ie just 2x HDDs will be in RAID1, more than 2x HDDs auto switch to RAID5). There is no complex ‘IT’ like setup, just ‘add more disks’ as needed.

We will be offering single and multi-drive WHS 2011 and multi drive Storage Server products on current and 2x new hardware platforms through 2011. There will be choices of low power ‘Intel Atom’ platforms / ‘Intel i series CPUs’ / ‘Intel Xeon series CPUs’. Aurora platforms are also in the pipeline.

During 2011 Tranquil PC will evolve the range of ‘Servers’ from low cost single drive systems right up to Aurora ‘Xeon’ platforms. We know that the market has been waiting for WHS2 (VAIL etc.) for quite some time – and Tranquil PC has been working very hard in the background to ensure that we can meet the demand, upon commercial release of the OS.

So there you have it, Tranquil are working hard on a number of different WHS 2011 offerings. So far this is the first actual confirmed information since the RTM announcement last week. Remember, that the announcement said “many” OEMs.

So I wonder who will be next?

As usual you can expect UWHS to have more information from Tranquil in the very near future and watch out for more details and hands-on reviews.