The topic of this thesis was initially Windows Home Server. Later on, the subject was expanded to include Amahi Home Server in addition to Windows Home Server. This added more depth and interest to this work.

The objective of this thesis is mainly to acquaint the reader with the two home server operating systems and to evaluate them based on empirical testing. The systems were tested and configured after which the properties of the systems were discussed and compared. The focus was on the easiness and functionality of installation and usage.

In the thesis, the theoretical background consists of literature on Windows Home Server. In addition, a few Internet sources have been used to support the background. There is no literature on Amahi Home Server and, therefore, the sources related to it are entirely from the Internet.

This thesis contains exact and phased instructions of the installation and configuration of both systems. Furthermore, a comparison of the data transfer rates, and a few data security related examples of the matters and results are presented in the thesis. A reader is expected to know the basics of the information technology which is related to the networks and to the local area networks. Morever, he is expected to have experience of installing operating systems, knowledge of computer hardware and IT-related terminology.