Today, I’m finally moving home servers. This year, my main “production” home server has been a self-build model, based on the Asus Pundit PH3 barebones. It’s served me well this year, and will become my main test home server for, well, anything that needs testing for the site! It will sit on my home network, but won’t be backing up my home computers on a day to day basis.
My main home server will be a HP MediaSmart EX475 - Microsoft sent long-term loaner units out to Windows Home Server MVPs last month, and with its expandability options and great add-ins, I’m hoping it’ll do a great job for me. But we’ll see!
December 16th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Let us know how you did the migration. I’m sure many like myself will be moving from one box to another as the new hardware is released and would like to not have to ‘redo’ the set-up and adding etc.
Thanks for a great sight,
Rich
December 16th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Hi Rich
Ah, well, I don’t really do migration - I much prefer a clean start, so I chucked all of my files over to an external HD and then started afresh with the MediaSmart. Having spent a few years beta testing various bits of MS software, I’m very used to regularly blowing away machines and starting again!
All the best
Terry
December 18th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
How is the MediaSmart Server working for you? I am interested in the product but first I have a few questions for you. First, I read something online that the “Previous Versions” function is not enabled on the HP server. Can you comment on this? Second, in your review you state that executables may not be run via remote desktop sessions. I was interested in putting windows sharepoint services on my WHS. I am assuming that this will not be an option for the HP server as I need to install the executable.
Thanks,
D
December 18th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Hi Daniel
It’s working out very well - following the review I discovered that executables can sometime be blocked from installation when you copy over from another computer. You can sort this out by right clicking the file, going into Properties and selecting Unblock. If the file doesn’t run directly on the server from the shared folders icon, navigate to it through Explorer, and it should run ok. You should be fine installing WSS. Previous Versions is indeed missing.
Terry
December 18th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Ok, the blocked executables is a function of Server 2003 R2. I have run into the same senario on one of our machines at work. It appears to only happen for files placed on the machine over the network. Anything downloaded on the server should run just fine.
The lack of Volume Shadow Copy is disappointing. It would be a great option to recover a corrupt file stored on the server. If you have HP’s ear then it might be worth mentioning.
D
December 19th, 2007 at 8:47 am
I’m hopefully meeting with HP soon - will ensure it’s discussed.
Terry
December 20th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Does anyone have some experience with 64 bit equipment already? I still cannot use mine Vista 64 bit system on my home server.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:18 am
The Windows Home Server Connector is not currently compatible with 64-bit systems - look out for an announcement in January.
Terry
December 29th, 2007 at 7:28 am
I can’t believe HP disabled the Volume Shadow Copies / Previous Versions function…that is, for me, an absolutely critical feature which I use at work all the time (mostly when our users inadvertently delete some important file and realize it 3 days later). I was just about set to go with the HP MSS for myself at home, but unfortunately missing feature is a deal breaker. I will either stick with my w2k3 server, or else build up a custom WHS server. It is a shame, because by the time you factor in a 4 bay hot swap SATA drive enclosure, the HP is a pretty decent hardware value.