Part 4 of Securing your Windows Home Server and Network provides a comprehensive explanation of computer security as it relates to your Windows Home Server and network, by looking at the role of the network administrator and by taking a look at computer user threats.
You can read it here.
We have mentioned earlier that network builder site "Practically Networked" had an article on how to build your own Windows Home Server, and the good news is that they have now published the final two parts to the article.
The second part in the series talks about joining your Windows PCs to Home Server, setting up user accounts and shared folders, and adding and configuring storage. Whilst the third and final installment looks at how to set up remote access.
Could this be one of the smallest Windows Home Server?
Mike van den Ham thinks so, and he uses this tiny compact server during his client presentations as a project engineer as its light enough to carry around and strong enough to get the job done.
Powered by a 1GB VIA C3 processor and 1GB of RAM, the unit has space inside for 1 standard 3.5 IDE hard drive and space for 1 2.5 IDE hard drive.
More info here.
Until Thursday April 30th you can save 25% off PerfectDisk 10 Windows Home Server for either a single license (1 WHS and 1 PC) or a site license (1 WHS and up to 10 PCS) by using the coupon code PDSPRING25 during checkout.
This defragmentation software especially for our home servers has won numerous awards since it improves the performance of the server by using a smarter defragging process known as SMARTPlacement which identifies the files you use most and organizes them according to your unique usage patterns.
More information is available from here.
The Home Server Show Podcast #41 is all about the latest 2.5 software update from HP for owners of the MediaSmart Server EX485 and EX487. Your host David McCabe also asks the question why owners of the first generation EX470 and EX475 are not getting the update.
You can download or listen to this episode from here.
If you would like a more comprehensive review of the latest MediaSmart Server Video, DVD and iPhone Update from HP then MediaSmarthome.com has a hands on and in depth review of update 2.5 as does MediaSmartServer.net, both of which are dedicated HP MediaSmart Server resources.
Also of worthy note is that the MediaSmartServerWiki has details on how to increase the number of supported video formats that the HP Video Converter is able to transcode by adding additional codec’s as well as details on improving the quality of the mobile videos via a registry hack.
Great news for owners of the EX485 and EX487.
Andrew Edney is a fellow Windows Home Server MVP, author of the book Windows Home Server User’s Guide and webmaster of the newly revamped website Using Windows Home Server.
Andrew (who also loves cats as well as his Home Server) has kindly donated 2 copy’s of his comprehensive guide to installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Microsoft’s Windows Home Server for us to give away.
So if you fancy a copy being shipped to you (as long as you reside on planet Earth) then simply leave a comment to this post explaining why you would like a copy. But make sure you do so before Friday the 1st of May, as then we will randomly choose 2 winners and email you for your mailing details.
Good Luck
The Windows Home Server Backup DataBase-Backup (BDBB) Add-In has been updated.
The add-in which allows you to backup the WHS Backup Database which stores all your client PC backups, is now at version 1.0.1.6 and includes the following bug fixes and new features:
•Correctly shows available space for Server Storage
•Correctly displays TrueCrypt encrypted drives
•Automatically backs up the Client Registry keys necessary to properly link the backups with the Client PCs
•Automatically backs up the entire WHS.reg in case the user wants to manually restore part or all of the registry
•Prompts user to restore the backed up Client Registry keys when restoring the Backup DB
•Supports backup and restore to network locations, including UNC and Samba shares
More details are available from here.
The MediaSmart Server 2.5 software update is now available from HP for owners of the EX485 and EX487.
The 212MB software package, known as "The HP MediaSmart Server Video, DVD and iPhone Update" can be downloaded from within the console, Settings, HP MediaSmart Server, the HP Update tab and then Check for updates.
Once installed the newly updated welcome screen within the console has a link to install the updated connector software which you must install on each computer which is connected to your MediaSmart Server.
On your desktops the HP MediaSmart Server Control Center now has a new Media Collector Status icon and a Media Streamer icon.
The new Control Center The old Control Center
You will also find within the console a new HP Video Converter status tab and settings page which is where you go for the settings and status of your full (original quality) and mobile resolution copies of your videos.
This latest update from HP provides some excellent new features as well as updates to existing features for users of the new generation MediaSmart Servers. What HP are building onto the base Windows Home Server just keeps getting better and better!
More information on the new features, fixes and enhancements is available in the HP MediaSmart Server 2.5 Update Read me.
The HP MediaSmart Server iStream application for iPhone and iPod Touch users is now available from the iTunes App Store.
If you are an owner of the HP MediaSmart Server EX485 or EX487 then this free application allows you to stream the photo, music and video libraries stored on the EX48x to your iPhone or iPod Touch (2nd generation) allowing your libraries to be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection.
Naturally this relies on the latest HP software update (2.5) to be on the server, for a successful connection to be established which should be available very shortly. is now available.
