The Windows Home Server Thread
#121
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
I know he's done it before. He isn't beloved like Steve Jobs so every three word email he makes doesn't turn into breaking headline news in the blogosphere.
#122
Drifting
Not sure if I missed this somewhere in the thread, but for those of you who have WHS, can you also use it as a normal OS? Basically can you use it for email, office apps, and web browsing too?
#123
Team Owner
No. It is intended to back up and be a central store for your PCs. If you don't have a PC to run these apps, then you don't need a Home Server -- you still need a PC first.
#124
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
yes you can do that though it's not intended to do that. It's runs on Server 2003. It does have a small OS partition of 20GB by default so if your files can fit in that then I can't forsee a problem if you did web browsing and email on it. Though you'd have to build you're own WHS box because most if not all of them don't come with a video output so it can't be plugged into a monitor without adding a video card which they may or may not have the capability of being added.
#125
Team Owner
yes you can do that though it's not intended to do that. It's runs on Server 2003. It does have a small OS partition of 20GB by default so if your files can fit in that then I can't forsee a problem if you did web browsing and email on it. Though you'd have to build you're own WHS box because most if not all of them don't come with a video output so it can't be plugged into a monitor without adding a video card which they may or may not have the capability of being added.
#126
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
there are lots of options for server 2003 AV, there's nothing special about the OS partition, just the data stores have the DE technology. I've done it before, it's not ideal and I wouldn't recommend it but it's doable.
#127
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
MS released the RC version of WHS Vail last week or so on their connect site and it doesn't include DE. It seems there's no hope for DE in the next version of WHS. Maybe they'll go back to the drawing board and redesign it for the next version but they aren't going to be able to get it working for the current version. They also didn't branch off WHS from the Business oriented OS's like I had hoped they would.
They did however create a Move Folder To... wizard which you run once you connect a new drive. It's no supplement of DE but it makes the task of moving folders to different drives and adjusting sharing permissions much easier than doing it manually. So it's got that going for it.
I guess I'm gonna try it out and see what I think. If I'm not feeling it I can just got back to the OG WHS.
I've been thinking about it and I can use literally none of the new features of WHS Vail. My upload speed is garbage so streaming videos around the Interwebs isn't currently possible plus I've got an exchange server on the same IP so it's taking up port 80 and 443 so I couldn't use it if I wanted to. Well I can with port redirect but whatever. I don't really need server backup because it's running Hyper-V and I can do snapshots. WHS vail has better integration with W7 and homegroups but the OG WHS PP3 is pretty good too and I can manually assign shares not that big of a deal.
FYI I have an OEM copy of the Original Version of WHS (the one with DE) for sale if anyone wants it PM me.
They did however create a Move Folder To... wizard which you run once you connect a new drive. It's no supplement of DE but it makes the task of moving folders to different drives and adjusting sharing permissions much easier than doing it manually. So it's got that going for it.
I guess I'm gonna try it out and see what I think. If I'm not feeling it I can just got back to the OG WHS.
I've been thinking about it and I can use literally none of the new features of WHS Vail. My upload speed is garbage so streaming videos around the Interwebs isn't currently possible plus I've got an exchange server on the same IP so it's taking up port 80 and 443 so I couldn't use it if I wanted to. Well I can with port redirect but whatever. I don't really need server backup because it's running Hyper-V and I can do snapshots. WHS vail has better integration with W7 and homegroups but the OG WHS PP3 is pretty good too and I can manually assign shares not that big of a deal.
FYI I have an OEM copy of the Original Version of WHS (the one with DE) for sale if anyone wants it PM me.
#128
WHS looks really nice.
I would do this, but instead i have a computer that is on ubuntu and stays on most of the day for file serving/media/printing.
I'm happy with this for now as it can double as a computer with a simple gnome or kde install.
You have to be comfortable with linux though and the commad line to get samba and everything working right.
It also runs f@h to give back.
I would do this, but instead i have a computer that is on ubuntu and stays on most of the day for file serving/media/printing.
I'm happy with this for now as it can double as a computer with a simple gnome or kde install.
You have to be comfortable with linux though and the commad line to get samba and everything working right.
It also runs f@h to give back.
#129
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
WHS looks really nice.
I would do this, but instead i have a computer that is on ubuntu and stays on most of the day for file serving/media/printing.
I'm happy with this for now as it can double as a computer with a simple gnome or kde install.
You have to be comfortable with linux though and the commad line to get samba and everything working right.
It also runs f@h to give back.
I would do this, but instead i have a computer that is on ubuntu and stays on most of the day for file serving/media/printing.
I'm happy with this for now as it can double as a computer with a simple gnome or kde install.
You have to be comfortable with linux though and the commad line to get samba and everything working right.
It also runs f@h to give back.
#131
#132
Team Owner
So the SSD in my home computer is getting close enough to full to get me nervous (30G free of 128G), so I bought a 256G Crucial C300 SSD for $200.
I think I can just back up my PC to my WHS, swap in the new SSD and do a restore (it's a Windows 7 rig). But I want to check with the gurus here to see if I need to worry about partition alignment when doing this.
Thoughts?
I think I can just back up my PC to my WHS, swap in the new SSD and do a restore (it's a Windows 7 rig). But I want to check with the gurus here to see if I need to worry about partition alignment when doing this.
Thoughts?
#133
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
yup, I've done it before. It will resize the partition for you. nothing to worry about.
#134
Unofficial Goat
iTrader: (1)
I'm looking at building a WHS with the emphasis on silent. Stunna do you think this
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128452
will have sufficient power to stream 720p video files to 2 devices simultaneously? No transcoding required just straight file sharing. I'm planning on throwing 4gb ram in it too. I also might use mid level ssd for the operating system. Thoughts?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128452
will have sufficient power to stream 720p video files to 2 devices simultaneously? No transcoding required just straight file sharing. I'm planning on throwing 4gb ram in it too. I also might use mid level ssd for the operating system. Thoughts?
#135
Team Owner
I'm looking at building a WHS with the emphasis on silent. Stunna do you think this
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128452
will have sufficient power to stream 720p video files to 2 devices simultaneously? No transcoding required just straight file sharing. I'm planning on throwing 4gb ram in it too. I also might use mid level ssd for the operating system. Thoughts?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128452
will have sufficient power to stream 720p video files to 2 devices simultaneously? No transcoding required just straight file sharing. I'm planning on throwing 4gb ram in it too. I also might use mid level ssd for the operating system. Thoughts?
#137
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
I'm not a fan of Atoms powering my server I'd get one of the new Sandy Bridge Core i3s. Get some quiet case fans like the silenx ones I use
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...=1&name=SILENX
Here's one of the reviews for that mobo
I don't think anyone makes any aftermarket coolers for Atom processors.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...=1&name=SILENX
Here's one of the reviews for that mobo
Pros: small, strong processor for it's size, included VGA is great(this is only a server, see below), GBit LAN, plenty of SATA
Cons: heat, noise, no digital video out(big whoop for server)
Other Thoughts: I use this as a media/print/file server (NFS, FTP, AirPrint, Playstation Media Server... et cetera) and it has performed fantastic to that point. This can transcode 720p movies into MPEG2 real-time for my PS3. The 4 SATA were key in my choice, as was the gigabit lan.
The only problem, as stated above, is the noise this little guy gives off. It is a small fan, which means a high-ish pitch and very loud (@5250 rpms). I would turn down the fan, but it really needs it.
Average CPU temps are 64C (147F) at idle and higher when transcoding HD movies... The case I purchased is well ventilated for a mini-itx case.
I would make the same choice again, so thats saying something, I suppose. The lost egg is for the cooling solution.
Cons: heat, noise, no digital video out(big whoop for server)
Other Thoughts: I use this as a media/print/file server (NFS, FTP, AirPrint, Playstation Media Server... et cetera) and it has performed fantastic to that point. This can transcode 720p movies into MPEG2 real-time for my PS3. The 4 SATA were key in my choice, as was the gigabit lan.
The only problem, as stated above, is the noise this little guy gives off. It is a small fan, which means a high-ish pitch and very loud (@5250 rpms). I would turn down the fan, but it really needs it.
Average CPU temps are 64C (147F) at idle and higher when transcoding HD movies... The case I purchased is well ventilated for a mini-itx case.
I would make the same choice again, so thats saying something, I suppose. The lost egg is for the cooling solution.
#138
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how much would i need to make a good server to hold all my shit and i could VPN into it via my iPhone or if i had a laptop or if i had a tablet from anywhere in the world. (well not sure about china and their great firewall) ?
#139
Unofficial Goat
iTrader: (1)
I'm not a fan of Atoms powering my server I'd get one of the new Sandy Bridge Core i3s. Get some quiet case fans like the silenx ones I use
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...=1&name=SILENX
Here's one of the reviews for that mobo
I don't think anyone makes any aftermarket coolers for Atom processors.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...=1&name=SILENX
Here's one of the reviews for that mobo
I don't think anyone makes any aftermarket coolers for Atom processors.
I'm planning on using this box as it it one of the few of that size that can handle 6 hd's. my big concern is noise, I live in a 800 sqft condo, the living room is like 300 so when watching tv your literally about 8ft away from it.
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=...gory=2&prod=42
#140
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
you can always get quieter fans. I good thick steel case like Antec P182 and maybe some dynamat.
#142
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
Well putting 4 hard drives in a small case it better be well ventilated
#144
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
#146
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
I just think you're going too low power. Look at the mac mini server it's still rocking a C2D, nvidia integrated graphics and two hard drives and it's silent. I'm not sure these low power chips have enough performance to run WHS great. I think you can go with more performance and still have a silent system.
#148
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
Then I'd get the netportal and filebrowser apps for iphone and iPad respectively. These can connect to WHS via SMB which is standard Windows File Sharing and wont require you to install any other add-on software on your WHS. Then you'll need a good upload link on your interwebs cause streaming video in good quality will require a few mbps upload.
Then you'll need a WHS which you can build for a few hundred. Depends on what parts you have lying around that you can reuse. I think a dual core, 2gb ram and a couple hard drives, yadda yadda.
#149
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
Due to the recall on sandy bridge chips mobos got delayed a few weeeks. There's a few 1156 miniITX on newegg, I'd expect more 1155s to start showing up soon.
The Core i3 chips are a 32nm design compared to 45nm for the Atom so they can get pretty low power. I'd think the lowest power/cheapest 2nd gen Core i3 that they make would be fine and would perform much better than the Atom or Zacate.
#150
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how much moneys? Well you'd need a router that did VPN that iOS supports. The best route for that would be dd-wrt so see if your router is capable of it if not then get one that is.
Then I'd get the netportal and filebrowser apps for iphone and iPad respectively. These can connect to WHS via SMB which is standard Windows File Sharing and wont require you to install any other add-on software on your WHS. Then you'll need a good upload link on your interwebs cause streaming video in good quality will require a few mbps upload.
Then you'll need a WHS which you can build for a few hundred. Depends on what parts you have lying around that you can reuse. I think a dual core, 2gb ram and a couple hard drives, yadda yadda.
Then I'd get the netportal and filebrowser apps for iphone and iPad respectively. These can connect to WHS via SMB which is standard Windows File Sharing and wont require you to install any other add-on software on your WHS. Then you'll need a good upload link on your interwebs cause streaming video in good quality will require a few mbps upload.
Then you'll need a WHS which you can build for a few hundred. Depends on what parts you have lying around that you can reuse. I think a dual core, 2gb ram and a couple hard drives, yadda yadda.
i have the apple router? you would think that would work with apple products, but who knows..
#152
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oooo nice and simple.
#154
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
WHS is just another PC, requires mobo, cpu, ram ,ps, HD, case, and OS. just like any other PC.
#155
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was just hoping there would be something i could buy and just plug it in and good to go.
im too lazy on building shit anymore.
im too lazy on building shit anymore.
#156
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
Oh sweet case!
http://fractal-design.com/?view=prod...gory=2&prod=42
We got served (Best WHS site on the webs) did a review of this case a while back and the threw in a core i5 on an Intel ITX board.
http://www.wegotserved.com/2010/05/0...-itx-nas-case/
http://fractal-design.com/?view=prod...gory=2&prod=42
We got served (Best WHS site on the webs) did a review of this case a while back and the threw in a core i5 on an Intel ITX board.
http://www.wegotserved.com/2010/05/0...-itx-nas-case/
#157
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
#158
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HAR HAR HAR!!!
yea im lazy.. i should really fix that.. ill do it later.
yea im lazy.. i should really fix that.. ill do it later.
#159
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
#160
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
That article pretty much says what I said. Atom and it's ilk can do basic WHS backup stuff but if you start wanting to do more stuff (which you may) like video transcoding, running add-ons etc then performance can suffer. They said the Core i3 offers the same low power consumption at idle that the atom does but is much more powerful and can use a lot more power if really stressed but that's not likely with WHS load.
I just don't want you to get an Atom set up and then 6 months later you see a cool add-on that you want to use then when you add it performance grinds to a halt cause it maxes out your CPU.
I just don't want you to get an Atom set up and then 6 months later you see a cool add-on that you want to use then when you add it performance grinds to a halt cause it maxes out your CPU.
Last edited by #1 STUNNA; 02-21-2011 at 09:16 PM.