By on November 08th, 2007

Windows Home Server Version 2 in 2009

Blogger Andrew Dugdell has just posted live from the Windows Home Server Session in the States presented by Todd Headrick and Joel Burt. He has posted a list of snippets which he learned from the event there, but the one’s that caught my eye were the following:

  • Largest known home server storage to date is 25 drives with 12 Tb of storage
  • Apple Macs can use the home server as a file server
  • The guys are thinking about writing a backup for Mac, nothing to report yet, but there are a few members of the Home Server Team that have Macs at home.
  • If your machine is asleep during the backup, Home server can wake it up, back it up, and put it back to sleep.  They don’t use WOL, it’s done using a hidden scheduled task on each of the home PCs
  • There will a minor release (as a free download) be 1st Half of 2008 that has the Vista 64 connector.
  • The guys are working on something cool, to get rid of that certificate error when you log in.
  • At the moment it is not supported to use one home server to back up another home server.   …yet.
  • Someone tried to install Sharepoint Server on Home server – it broke it, they had to reinstall.
  • It runs IIS, some people have had success installing SQL Express and adding extra websites.
  • When the next Home Server is released, they’ll probably update the underlying OS.
  • 2010 is too far away for the next major version of Home Server, so the team is looking at 2009
  • They guy’s are thinking and considering all the ways that Virtualization could be integrated into the product in the future

The full list can be found at Andrew’s post on his site, Dugie’s Pensieve.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 08th, 2007

The Ultimate Case Mod for Windows Home Server

Andrew Dugdell, also known as Dugie Is building a Windows Home Server machine like lots of us are doing, but with one difference. He’s building his in a replica arcade machine.

Arcade Cabinet
If your going to build a Home server, why not do it with some style – The ultimate case mod!

You can follow the progress of Duggie’s build, which he plans to finish by Christmas at the following posts:

My Home Server – update #0
My Home Server – update #1, doing your homework
My Home Server – update #2, making the shell
My Home Server – update #3, live from Redmond

 

Hardware • News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

Paul Thurrott – "Overall, WHS is a wonderful solution for problems you never knew you had "

Paul Thurrott’s has posted his Windows Home Server Review over on his SuperSite for Windows. Detailing the features and taking you through the installation and configuration. He concludes by saying what he thinks is missing from Home Server and explains where you can get it from. One of his final thoughts is:

“Overall, WHS is a wonderful solution for problems you never knew you had “

Paul’s rating 4/5

News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

Tranquil PC Presents The Diary of a Home Server User

Over on the Tranquil PC’s Weblog, they have a great series on the go entitled Diary of a Home Server. An online biog of a Tranquil PC T7-HSA user. You can catch up with the IT Nerd (also known as Paul) as he writes his real world experience diary – the good, the bad and the ugly !

News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

Exclusive: Extra 10% Off KeepVault for WHS

We discussed the other day that the online backup service for Windows Home Server was out of beta and available for purchase. Finally, we have a way to protect our Home Server’s if you unimaginable happens, and we come home from a night out to find the house burnt down, flooded or …you get the picture. KeepVault to the rescue!

The current asking price is $78/year for an annual subscription billed at the same rate each year. For that price you get unlimited backup, and unlimited means unlimited, not like some other company’s I could mention. So 100GB or even 500GB is absolutely fine. The only requirements are that it is limited to personal use only, individual files must be less then 5GB in size, no illegal material and that storage is linked to a single Windows Home Server. If you want to backup 2 Windows Home Server machines then you will need two accounts. Other than that the sky’s the limit.

KV Main

The price is normally $99 but is being offered from their site for $78 as an introductory offer. And even better news, we have negotiated with Proxure, the company behind KeepVault, a discount for our readers. By using the coupon code 10FROMMSWHSCOM during checkout you will receive an additional 10% of the already reduced rate of $78. So all you’ll pay is $70.20 for 12 months of unlimited online offsite backup.

KV File Recovery

The storage backend is being provided by Okay Publish LLC, owners of BTSharp and Ceedien networks which also powers Filmaroo, the new personal video sharing application from Proxure. Your files are secure too. For maximum security KeepVault encrypts your files before they leave your PC. KeepVault uses 128-bit AES encryption. Further, you have the option of specifying your own personal encryption key during setup which virtually limits anybody from viewing your personal data.

KV Settings

Once setup and signed in, all you have to do is select the Home Server “Shares” you wish to protect. KeepVault will automatically backup all new and changed files from those shares that you have selected to protect, either on-the-fly or overnight when your server is less busy. This includes executables and install sets … anything and everything. The KeepVault add-in resides in the Windows Home Server console, making it easy to monitor your backup status. Getting your files back is easy too. KeepVault enables you to recover all your files with one simple click, or to recover just specific files that you need to recover. Now you can relax knowing your data is safe and there when you need it.

KV Protection History

  • Automatic, continuous, real-time file protection
  • Peace of mind, your digital memories are safe
  • Web backup protects against local disasters; fire, flood …
  • Simultaneous automatic protection
  • Backup status monitor warns if you are at risk
  • Easily restore your backed up files in just a few clicks
  • UNLIMITED storage for personal use … simple!

And if you are not 100% satisfied with the software. Proxure will issue a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

More information can be found here as well as ordering details.

Please Note: The 10%-off coupon is valid until January 1, 2008 and it applies to the first year only.  Subsequent years will be billed at the full $78 rate.

add-ins • Backup • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

Create Blogs and Web Sites using Windows Home Server

We brought you information the other day about Telligent Graffiti CMS Windows Home Server that will allow users to create simple web sites. Whether it’s a personal blog, publishing a family calendar, sharing photos or easily creating content and using themes.

The easy to use content management and blog solution includes revision support, tools for highlighting changes between versions of content, workflow, easy to use themes and built-in reporting.

If this is something you are interested in then the beta will be starting in 2 weeks and will include support for Windows Home server. Head on over to the sign up page to be informed when the beta starts.

In the meantime more information on Graffiti CMS in available in their FAQ (which is actually running Grafitti, as are these sites here and here), or if video content is more your thing, then here are a few for your entertainment:

add-ins • News • Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

WHS Full-Featured Print Server Support?

Gadget site Gizmodo have an article entitled, The Windows Home Server Nitty – Gritty.

What caught my eye was the following:

…Microsoft’s current plan is to provided two releases a year on a major/minor cycle, with the first minor release coming some time in early 2008.

Among the features they’re considering adding is full-featured print server support—something that’s more difficult than expected thanks to printer manufacturers’ insistence on distributing drivers with 200MB management suites that ask you whether you want to buy more ink every time you start up. But yes, more features are coming.

The full write up is available to read here.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

Client-Side SDK to be Released for Developers

Brendan from the web site I Hate Linux has some great news for Windows Home Server add-in developers. Yesterday we reported on two new videos, one of which was with lead Home Server developer Chris Gray, where he talks about building add-ins for WHS. In the video Chris mentioned a client-side SDK for Home Server. When asked what it was about, General Manager Charlie Kindel had this to say:

Chris sorta “mis-spoke” and “let the cat out of the bag” when he talked about the client-side SDK stuff.

We are working on it.

We have not announced when it will be released in pre-release form.

We have not announced when it will be released in the product.

Looks nice some nice goodies are not too far away for WHS developers.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

Add-In: mControl – Home Automation Software

We mentioned the other day that mControl is now available for Windows Home Server. The add-in allows you to view, manage and secure your home . mControl integrates lighting systems, security panels, security cameras, climate control and audio/visual components into a unified interface. Finally home automation is available to Windows Home Server.

We Can:

  • Monitor and control home security systems and thermostats
  • View and record IP cameras
  • Monitor and control INSTEON, Z-Wave and other lighting devices
  • Send and respond to IR (remote control) messages

Installation:

Since the add-in is embedded into the mControl v2.00 Home Edition software, we need to download that version which is available as a 31 day trial. To do so, click the Download button next to mControl v2.00 Home Edition software (currently the top item).

Before the download commences we need to supply a few details, including our name and email address. Once we have the download saved on your computer we need to open the zip archive and extract the 2 files in the WHS Setup folder to your add-in’s folder (\\SERVER\Software\Add-Ins). To continue with the installation we followed the installation routine discussed in Embedded Automation’s PDF installation guide for Windows Home Server.

Access:

Once installation is complete mControl administrative functions can be managed from the WHS console where the service can be started, stopped, restarted or refreshed. Basic diagnostic information is also displayed.

mControl Console  

We can access mControl locally within our network using a web interface. To do this we open Internet Explorer and browse to http://WHS_NAME/mcontrol/Default.aspx, where WHS_NAME is the name of your Windows Home Server computer.

mControl Web Interface

We can also access mControl remotely using the WHS web interface, where it is displayed under Web Sites on the Home tab to provide a convenient and secure remote access. Clicking on the mControl for WHS link takes us to the interface as displayed above.

mControl Remote

More information about mControl including a 280 page PDF user manual and application notes for various home automation products is available from here. Pricing is $74.99 from Embedded Automation or from one of it’s distributors.

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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By on November 07th, 2007

Intel Announces SS2400 Release Date

Intel’s reference design server is the one chosen by Velocity Micro and Fujitsu Siemens for their Windows Home Server products. Intel has decided that they want a piece of the action too, because it will now market the device as the Intel Entry Storage System. Available in two models, the SS2400-E which will come complete with EMC NAS software, and the version we are interested in, the hardware-only version SS2400-EHW which can be customized by system builders and integrators by adding varying storage capacities and the Windows Home Server software.

intel-bays  

The Intel Entry Storage System

Based on the Intel Celeron 400 Series Processor with DDR2 memory, the Intel Entry Storage Systems features a Intel® 945GZ with ICH7-R chipset for better I/O performance. Additional highlights of the Intel SS4200x include the small shell design, and an external SATA (eSATA) port that allows for easy external storage expansion beyond four hard disk drives (HDD).

NetMagix-HomeServer

The rebadged Velocity Micro NetMagix HomeServer

Intel says the systems will be available in December, starting at $500. Nice stuff

scaleo-home-server21

The rebadged Fujitsu Siemens SCALEO Home Server

Hardware Specifications:

  • Processor: Intel® Celeron® processor 420 running at 1.6 GHz 
  • Memory: DDR2 512MB 
  • Flash: DOM Socket provided on board 
  • HDD: Supports up to four 3.5″ SATA (3.0 GBps) hard disks from 80GB to 1TB 
  • Network: One Intel® Gigabit LAN port 
  • USB: 4x USB 2.0 connectors 
  • EMI safety: CE/FCC Class B 
  • System power: 200W PSU 
Hardware • Windows Home Server
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