Windows Home Server Code Name (Vail) 16 Share Limit
I have discovered a flaw with Windows Home Server Code Name (Vail) with the amount of shares currently available. I noticed that each share created on the new dashboard obtained a drive letter on Vail, unfortunately any Windows OS can have a maximum of 25 drives plus the 1 OS drive.
I decided to test this and add shares until the server ran out of drive letters and see what happened, as you can see from the screenshot it won’t add the 17th custom share, showing the Error “The shared folder cannot be added because there are not enough drive letters to make the folder accessible locally.”
Now I am presuming this is going to be resolved before launch as this is quite a big restraint, this bug is so glaringly obvious the WHS team must have known of this during Vail’s incarnation.
I will wait to see off any developments with this and let you know.
Written by
Matthew Glover
www.matthewglover.co.uk
Share this WHS Article with Others:
I’m afraid that this will turn out to not being a bug but just being “by design”.
I must compare Vail and whs v1 to Vista And XP. Vista sure was pretty but it was flawed mightily.
Vail is, however, the first beta, which tends to be rough around the edges. I do like the way my friends can now visit my web site, stream music and enjoy a slideshow simultaneously.
On the other side, I get false messages all day that my server cannot connect with my router, and I find it almost painful that it takes so long to get through to the server using Dashboard. Vail doesn’t give me instantaneous access to my shared folders, either. It just seems sluggish. I do think, nonetheless, that it has great potential, so WHS guys, get to work. (I should mention my disappointment with the lack of media center integration.)
Bill: What is the type of router you are using? I use a D-Link 655 and have not seen such error messages.
I’m using a Netgear. But that’s not the problem. I can access remotely and I can use the lauchpad and connect to any PC I attach. It’s just an annnoying false alarm.
I do have a second LAN card in the server that may be causing the alarm. I’m going to take it out later, today. Thanks for asking.
I wouldn’t call this a bug per-se. I’d be hard pressed to fine many people that need 16 shares, let alone creating any. For 90% of people, the default shares should be *more* than enough.
I do agree Drashna that for most people the default shares are sufficient, but I would be looking more at people who use WHS for business use that would have problems.
I am very sure this will get resolved before final release anyway.
But you can create as many subfolders as you want, no?
shouldn’t be a problem…(for me at least)
You can create as many subfolders as you need.
Matthew,
Could you provide an example of a business setup where such high numbers of shares are needed?
Sorry for the late reply, I cant give any specifics but I can say I do visit clients who are using WHS and they do have a lot of shares. I think this is typical of many businesses there aren’t many company’s I visit that wouldn’t exceed this current cap.
I have a problem with the shares, my media player, AC ryan, can’t find the shares. I have an WHS V1, no problem. From the Vail Homse server i don’t see a workgroup , totally nothing.