Windows Home Server

[Steve the DJ]

I have a machine sitting here doing nothing that exceeds the spec for Windows Home Server (http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx) and as I would like a centralised point to store files, documents etc. (as well as to control our Printer/Copier/Scanner), I thought I would download the demo and have a play.

I have had a good read on the net and found some very useful info but I just wondered if anyone on MDD has a Windows Home Server and what their thoughts are?

I am particularly interested to hear how good (or bad) the streaming of media is?

[BeerFunk]

I have a Synology Diskstation, which meets my requirements. It's smaller than a PC, uses less power, and very versatile. It's loaded with a basic Linux OS, but you log on to it via a web browser just the same as you would a router. It also doubles up as a Web/Print/FTP server amongst other things, if necessary.

I use it to stream music, video and photos to various PCs, XBox/XBox 360s, and MP3 players throughout the house, as well as using it for general storage. Might be worth looking into, if your requirements aren't too high powered?

[Steve the DJ]

Might be worth looking into, if your requirements aren't too high powered?

Streaming my media collection is important but it is the back up functionality and Remote Access that I like most about WHS, does yours have similar tools?

[BeerFunk]

Streaming my media collection is important but it is the back up functionality and Remote Access that I like most about WHS, does yours have similar tools?Yes, it has backup and remote access services, although I backup manually and don't access it remotely - so I can't comment on those aspects I'm afraid!

[Jiggles]

Last time I used WHS it kept formatting my Hard drives! Don't know what was going on causing that. As for streaming. The fastest LAN you can get with your equipment. You might need a gigabit router.

[Marc J]

Streaming my media collection is important but it is the back up functionality and Remote Access that I like most about WHS, does yours have similar tools?

Get a QNAP (http://www.qnap.com/) - they're great!

I use mine for a local test web server (Linux), network drives, backup, streaming media to PS3, security camera, remote access etc. etc. :)

[BeerFunk]

As for streaming. The fastest LAN you can get with your equipment. You might need a gigabit router.Well, it all depends on what you want to stream, and how you're going to stream it. I stream compressed video and audio over my network, which is mixed 10/100MBit. It's all cabled, unshielded twisted pair, and I've actually used four pairs in each cable (just as gigabit ethernet does).

I regularly stream two video streams simultaneously, and I'm sure it could handle further streams if asked.

If you're planning to stream high definition video, or even DVD format, then the network would need to be of a higher capacity.


Get a QNAP (http://www.qnap.com/) - they're great!

I use mine for a local test web server (Linux), network drives, backup, streaming media to PS3, security camera, remote access etc. etc. :)I considered a QNAP originally too, but got a better deal on a Synology.

[Steve the DJ]

The only thing though is I have a machine sitting here doing nothing.

WHS + Old Machine = £80

Your other suggestions look nice but are more money and I still have a machine sat here worth squat doing nothing!

Has anyone here actually used WHS on a home server?

[WWDJ]

After the scare stories of formatting drives then I decided to avoid WHS.

I do have a central server though on a low spec machine which is just a 1gb memory, 40gb HD machine with a Pentium in it.

On it sits XP and Microsoft synctoy.... and nothing else

For storage I have attached two 1.5tb external drives. One replicates to the other each day as an ongoing backup.

All I have done then is setup File and Printer shares on this machine and it works fine.

If you use Windows 7 apparently this works even better.

[Steve the DJ]

After the scare stories of formatting drives then I decided to avoid WHS.

Hmmm, I haven't read any of those, best I have another look.


I do have a central server though on a low spec machine which is just a 1gb memory, 40gb HD machine with a Pentium in it.

On it sits XP and Microsoft synctoy.... and nothing else

For storage I have attached two 1.5tb external drives. One replicates to the other each day as an ongoing backup.

All I have done then is setup File and Printer shares on this machine and it works fine.

This could be a good free alternative as I hadn't heard of SyncToy before, thanks for that.


If you use Windows 7 apparently this works even better.

All machines are XP so no advantage there.

[DiscoPromotions]

I got 3x Supermicro 1U Servers (P4/2G/1TB) at home that I use for various projects. Picked them up at £50 per server (bargain)

My personal Recommendations

Freenas - This will turn your machine into a NAS drive. Streaming, FTP, Web Server, NFS etc more details at freenas.org. the only thing it will do is control your printer etc.

If you looking for something to control that printer then recommend Fedora/ubuntu - Free, you can have streaming media, FTP, document server, Web server, nas, firewall (2x nics required).

[Marc J]

Freenas - This will turn your machine into a NAS drive. Streaming, FTP, Web Server, NFS etc more details at freenas.org. the only thing it will do is control your printer etc.

I forgot about FreeNAS (http://freenas.org/). I looked into it but it didn't quite do everything I wanted. I agree that it might be a serious option for you if you have a spare machine you want to utilise.

[Steve the DJ]

The only thing I forgot to mention is that I am not a server software whizz and having had a play with Ubuntu it made my eyes bleed! :eek:

The one real bonus thing (for me) is that WHS offers a very familiar, easy to use interface.

I think I will just download the trial and see what happens!

Thanks for all the other ideas though. :)

[DJMaxG]

Is Windows Home Server an application that allows a designated PC to act as a network server like schools and offices would have in place?

[Steve the DJ]

Yes it is.

You can either buy a pre built machine for £400 - £500 or just the software for £80ish and stick it on an old computer.

It has to be hard wired to your router but once installed you can access it from any machine on your network (i.e. take the keyboard, mouse and screen away!), via web based window.

You can attach printers to it and store all your media on it which your network can share. It also backs up all of the machines connected to it.

You will find more info here: Windows Home Server (http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx)

[DJMaxG]

This appears very similar to the typical ethernet based HDD that you can buy in the shops, where it's basically a hdd that hooks to your router with a patch lead.

[Jiggles]

Max, its a lot more than just that! Its a Firewall, user account system, Its a numbed down version of Small Business Server 2003!

[Steve the DJ]

Exactly!

It even has a secure web interface so you can log in and get at your documents and media from anywhere in the world!

You can also add tools and features called "Add-Ins (http://www.whsplus.com/)" and you can bung in as many HDD's as you like and WHS makes the whole process of back up and storage very user friendly, a phrase not normally reserved for MS products... :D