The beta version of Drive Bender for WHS 2011 and SBS Essentials 2011 has been updated to RC2.
Version 1.4.7.9 has the following changes:
This beta release can be downloaded from here.
The beta release of StableBit DrivePool for WHS2011, SBS 2011 Essentials and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials has had an update.
Version 1.3.0.7470 BETA has the following changes:
[D] = Driver was modified (reboot required after update)
This release can be downloaded from here.
WHS 2011 out of the box does not support client backup on UEFI based computers that contain a GUID partition table (GPT)-formatted disk.
That is until now, as Microsoft have just released a hotfix which adds backup support for UEFI-based computers that contain a GPT-formatted disk.
Be aware that there are 4 known issues when using this hotfix though:
Issue 1
During the restore operation on a UEFI-based client computer, if the original client restore CD is used without having this hotfix installed, the client may be unable to start in EFI mode because of a Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) issue. To work around this issue, create a USB key by using the Create Key wizard on the server that has this hotfix installed. Then, use the USB key when you restore the client.
Issue 2
When you select what to back up, the EFI partition may not be an option. However, the EFI partition will be automatically included in the backup.
Issue 3
When you perform a Bare Metal Restore operation on a UEFI-based client, the operation may fail on the last page of the restore progress. Additionally, you find the following error message in the log file:ERROR: Failed to initialize VDS, 0x80080005
For information about how to work around this issue, go to the following Microsoft TechNet webpage:
Client Bare Metal Restore Fails due to VDS drive initialization fails
(http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/16126.client-bare-metal-restore-fails-due-to-vds-drive-initialization-fails.aspx)
Issue 4
When you perform a Bare Metal Restore operation on a UEFI-based client, the operation may fail when the client is in Advanced mode. For information about how to work around this issue, go to the following Microsoft TechNet webpage:Client BMR failed for UEFI machine in advanced mode
(http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/16125.client-bmr-failed-for-uefi-machine-in-advanced-mode.aspx)
After this hotfix is installed, partition information is logged in the DiskPartitionScripts.txt file. This file contains the hint partition command line for the previous disk partition layout. To open the file, use the command line to open the file in Notepad.exe.
More information on this hotfix is available is Microsoft article 2781272.
Microsoft have released a hotfix that corrects a problem where you cannot enable the Windows Server Update Services role in Windows Server 2012 Essentials.
So if you cannot enable the WSUS role in WS2012 Essentials then head on over to Microsoft Article 2762663 which has all the details.
The stable build of StableBit DrivePool for WHS2011, SBS 2011 Essentials and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials has been updated.
Version 1.2.6.7245 has the following change log:
As always this release can be downloaded from here.
Update Rollup 1 for Windows Server 2012 Essentials is available as of today.
In this first Update Rollup for WS2012e we have 4 new features and 7 issues which have been addressed:
Features that are included in this update
Feature 1
Support is added for hosted email message mailbox integration in the Dashboard.
The Hosted Email add-in framework provides extensibility in Windows Server 2012 Essentials that enables you to integrate a remote third-party email service. The framework simplifies the development process of an add-in by providing the following capabilities:
- The feature defines a standard adapter interface in which you can provide the logic to connect the built-in provider by using your own hosting services.
- The feature contains a set of built-in standard UI extensions for integrated management in the Dashboard. You can also create custom UI extensions.
- The feature contains a built-in provider that implements the business logic in the back-end for the integration scenarios. Additionally, the provider exposes an object model that your UI elements can call into in order to access administrative functions.
After you create your adapter and UI updates, you can deploy your integration solution as an add-in.
Feature 2
AntiXSSLibrary.dll is updated to the latest version. This improves the reliability of the Remote Web Access (RWA) page.
Feature 3
The Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 package is updated to a new version. This update will update the .netfx client package to the latest version in order to improve the reliability of the client connector and other dependent features.
Feature 4
A direct download link is added to the Dashboard to improve the online backup integration experience.
Major issues that are resolved by this update
Issue 1You cannot view Office 365 information through the Dashboard. This issue occurs if the proxy settings are configured to automatically detect the proxy server in Windows Internet Explorer.
Issue 2
The file history retention policy does not work with certain time formats.
Issue 3
A hard block occurs on the hardware checks for a hoster.
Issue 4
The system returns user tokens instead of cookies in Web API. This may cause a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) issue.
Issue 5
The Dashboard crashes when a user add-in is configured as a leftmost add-in.
Issue 6
The Domain Configuration Wizard fails if the domain name contains "homeserver" (for example, "smithhomeserver.com").
Issue 7
The certification authority (CA) root certificate is incompatible with DirectAccess. Therefore, after you deploy DirectAccess on a server, a Windows 7-based client cannot establish a DirectAccess connection to the server.
Note This fix only takes effect if Update Rollup 1 for Windows Server 2012 Essentials is applied before DirectAccess is deployed on the server.
As always UR1 is available via Windows Update and will download automatically to your server’s.
More information on UR1 can be found here.
The stable release of StableBit DrivePool for WHS2011, SBS 2011 Essentials and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials has been updated.
Version 1.2.5.7232 has the following changes:
[D] = Driver was modified (reboot required after update)
You can download StableBit DrivePool from here.
The BYOB podcast for this week is available:
This week we are joined by Chris Lux to finish off the media series and talk about Windows Media Center and Vudu. We talk about the PS4, Chromebook Pixel, and Media Browser 3.
You can find episode 113 here.
If you are quick you can save 35% on a Drive Bender for WHS license.
The Drive Bender for WHS license (supports Windows Home Server 2011 and SBS Essentials 2011 ONLY) normally costs $25 but is currently on sale for $15.95, but hurry as the offer expires shortly.
More details are available from here.
ASoft the company behind add-ins AutoExit and AdminMe have redesigned their website with a nice clean interface.
For more info on these 2 great add-ins head on over to their new site here.
