The line between the office and the home blurred a little more today as Microsoft unveiled its new Windows Home Server, a streamlined and much simplified version of the server the software giant has been making for businesses.

The server software will be available for consumers to buy for less than $200, or bundled with hardware from manufacturers for between $500 and $800 (Cdn.), depending on storage capacity. The server is what Microsoft calls "headless," meaning it requires no video card, no keyboard, monitor or mouse.

Connected to the home network by an Ethernet cable, it is controlled by means of a separate software application that runs in a browser on the other computers on the network. The system also creates a free domain name on the Internet through Microsoft's Windows Live services, which allows a maximum of 10 users on the road to connect with the shared folders at home.