Monitor Internet Bandwidth using WHS

We all know that ISPs are now restricting internet bandwidth across the globe, from Comcast in the US to UK providers on the other side of the pond. But how can we monitor our bandwidth usage along with using Windows Home Server?

Bitmeter

Easily, thanks to Joe DiFiglia from computingondemand.com. Joe has put together a tutorial on how you can monitor all the devices on your network by using WHS as a proxy server for internet traffic. By using our home server we can have all traffic filtered through the one device which is the only accurate way to account for bandwidth we have used.

The full tutorial can be read here.

Thanks to The Home Server Show for the information.

The Home Server Show #20

The Home Server Show Podcast

With the latest mix of news reviews and comment, The Home Server Show #20 is now available for your listening pleasure.

More details are available here.

Add-In: KeepVault 2.30

The Home Server Show has posted details about an update to the online backup service, KeepVault.

KeepVault 2.30
Version 2.30 adds the ability to see exactly how much space you have used and also the ability to delete files from your online repository.

The new version along with instructions is available from here along with additional details on the product.

Icy Dock 4-Bay Hard Drive Module Review

Technology review site PCStats has a review of the Icy Dock MB454SPF-B 4-Bay hot swappable Hard Drive Module which can mount up to four 3.5" SATA hard drives.

IcyDock MB454SPF-B

The 4 page review covers the three unit high 5.25" device in detail and concludes that:

Overall PCSTATS has been quite pleased with the the IcyDock MB454SPF-B 4-bay hot swap hard drive module, and certainly recommends it for home work station or even light storage server applications.

Read the full review here.

Windows 7 to be called Windows 7!

Unless you’ve been on another planet for the last year then you properly know that the codename for the next version of Windows is called “Windows 7”. And that name is going to stick because yesterday it was announced on the Windows Vista Blog that “Windows 7” will also be the final official name of Vista’s (version 6.0) successor.

Windows 7
And what has this got to do with Windows Home Server you may ask?

As you are properly aware WHS is currently based on the Windows 2003 code base, and like any Microsoft product It is more than likely that through revisions and updates that Windows Home Server v2 or even v3 will be based on the “Windows 7” code.

WHS Initialization Issue

Tranquil PC are reporting that a number of customers  are recently reporting installation issues with Windows Home Server.

Initialisation Issue

During the installation process the install sticks at around the 18% or 33% stages and although the screen asks you not to re-boot the server doing so is the only way to get past the pause.

However British based Tranquil PC have come up with an alternative which works better, but only from a fresh install. Their initialization tip is available in PDF format from here.

Add-In: LightsOut 0.77

LightsOut has been updated to version 0.7.7. The add-in is used to put your Home Server into a suspended or hibernation mode and resume on user defined events.

New in this version:

  • Added support for remote access

Changed:

  • Improved WOL in Client service

Fixed:

  • Random problem with wrong day headers in calendar

A 26 page PDF user guide as well as the download are available.

HP MediaSmart Server EX475 for $524

provantage-logo

Independent dealer ProVantage in Ohio (USA) have the HP MediaSmart Server EX475 at an unbelievable price of $524.10. This is an excellent price for the 1TB server as Amazon are at least $50 more expensive and Newegg would charge you an additional $115 on top too.

ProVantage will also ship worldwide but be aware that in some countries you would have to pay TAX, VAT, Import Duty etc

Details of the offer are here.

Add-In: Remote Alert

Remote Alert Settings

Remote Alert is an add-in that monitors remote access to your Windows Home Server and provides notification via the tray icon and also provides that users IP address. This beta add-in provides additional security layers and also logs the remote access activity.

Remote Alert Icon

More info is available here.

Add-In: My Movies for Windows Home Server

Version 1.00 pre release 3 of My Movies for Windows Home Server has just been released which is a server version of the popular My Movies application.

My Movies Disc Copier Settings

This server version does not come with a client, but holds the configuration options within the Home Server Console. It also comes with a folder monitoring service, as well as a disc copying service, and can be used not only by My Movies, but any client that supports reading My Movies’ XML files that are stored in the folders and of course it also serves as an ordinary server software for My Movies clients as well.

My Movies Monitor Settings

More details are available from here.