A home network system and a method for operating the same configured to be capable of recovering system and user data of a home server by allowing a user to press a recovery button when the home server cannot recover from a functional error of the home server. Initial system data of the home server, controlling and managing a home network connected to a plurality of home appliances, is automatically stored in an internal database as backup data. Data updated in the home server is periodically transmitted to a portal server connected to the home server through the Internet. Therefore, data, damaged due to a functional error of the home server, can be automatically recovered by using the backup data stored in the portal server.