My Next Project: Windows Home Server

[Guest Reimar]

As I was getting the Windows Home Server Software a few days ago, I was start thinking which kind of computer I would like to use for it!

Started to check which hardware I still have nearly forgotten in my stock and came across with some AMD Athlon and Sempron CPU, an Asrock and an MSI Mainboard. Memory isn't a problem and VGA even not. The only things would be the Harddisk's I'll use.

The mainpurpose for an Home Server is to keep my company data in an easy accessible place. Until right now I use MS Windows Server 2003 and as backup Windows Server 2008 Beta which both works fine. But as I was getting the OS for free I'll give it a try and check out the difference to server 2003 and 2008.

The good thing is that the MS Server OS never need a high performance Computer, a low Performance will do the work same good.

As checking online for info about the need and setup and so on, I came across one article which I recommend to everybody to read who plane may to use a Home Server as well. Its a 2 Page Articel at ZD Net and you can read the article HERE

I'll keep you informed after I install the system at my office.

Cheers.

[pumper]

as fate would have it, theinquirer.net has article today on the hardware requirements of the MS Server 2008 OS today.

>MICROSOFT VISTA requires more hardware resources than the Vole's Windows for Supercomputers.

Officially called Windows HPC Server 2008, Microsoft's offering for high performance computing runs in as little as 512MB of system memory, though it supports up to 64GB.<

or, just another article dis-in MS Vista bloat.

>What this points up is something we've all known for years, that is, that Microsoft isn't in business to benefit its customers but to fleece them. It's in cahoots with OEMs to march the computer buying public on an endless upgrade treadmill, upon which Windows drives demand for faster CPUs and more RAM.

people who have actually used Vista say that 1GB of RAM isn't enough and claim that Vista's so bloated that it really needs at least 2GB.

Indeed, some claim that it really takes 4GB of RAM to make Vista seem responsive. The high-end 64-bit versions of Vista support up to 128GB of RAM.

Vista is a bloated resource hog, and slow. In contrast, this writer is scribbling this article, streaming internet radio, and playing online poker in a Java window - all in 256MB of RAM on an old 1.4GHz CPU that's only 25 per cent to 35 per cent busy... under Mandriva Linux 2007. µ<

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/new...-memory-windows

my buddy just purchased a 'office store brand' PC w/ an intel dual core processor & 1 gig ram + on board (shared memory) video .. & vista home premium ...

it drives me crazy to click around on his box, it's soooo slow compared even with my laptop 2k celeron & xp

[Guest Reimar]

I posted an article a few days ago about the HPC Server vs Vista, see topic 154234.

But here I'm talking from the Home Server which is a complete diefferent OS and even for different use. The Home Server is designed for Home and maybe small office use. The required hardware is just simple, standard products with even low performance will do the job perfectly. So the cost will even be low! A total of just THB 15,000 would be much enough incl. the cost for the OS!

There will be not a need of an Monitor or even Keyboard and Mouse after Installation of the OS and required other Software.

For further work on the Home Server I'll install my famous Remote Admin Program as I have in my existing system for years already and do all the required work from my Workstation on the Server.

The whole installation, setup and other will be just a piece of cake. The only extras I'll add to the Server is an Tape Backup with 6x Autochanger which holds up to 144 GB of data and work full automatic. I need to change once a week the catridge magazine, that's all.

A good UPS in anyway a standard for server and must have a data connection too. I'll use an NOVO 1100 with USB interface and set the autosaving to 30% of battery level with hibernating. That means that the UPS will save the Data if the Power reach 30% of the Battery level, switch down the Server while hibernating and on the server at the time the power will be back. I will test the 30% level and if that isn't enough for an power cut of 1 hour I'll set the level to 50% which will be for sure enough.

[Guest Reimar]

For those of you who're interested in Windows Home Server, I'll attach 2 dokuments, the Release Note of MS and the getting Started Guide. This Documents will give you all info you need or want to know about System Requirements and even Installation.

Cheers

Windows_Home_Server___Getting_Started_Guide.pdf

Windows_Home_Server___Release_Documentation.doc

[Guest Reimar]

First Impression of Microsoft Windows Home Server!

First at all the Home server is running on Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server.

Installed to day 3 times and 3 time Failure.

Importand: the computer must be connected to the Internet because within setup the system donwload some required updates.

After the Setup is nearly finish and the system has downloaded the required Updates and screen came up with the messages: Setup already started and there is only the choice for to cancel. Done that and the setup finished and start Windows. After Windows start a message came up and say that there some Error within Setup and the Setup has to run again.

If cancel that Step, Windows will start finish otherwise go back the Error Screen every time.

Try to install the connection software on the client but that gives the Error Message: Could Not Find Home Server!

No way to connect to the Home Server.

Now I start to install on an different computer and will see again what's going on.

Will post the result tomorrow morning.

Cheers.

Edit:

Forgot to mention that the Setup need about 1.5 hour!!

Edited November 24, 2007 by Reimar

[Guest Reimar]

Was trying to install Windows Home Server on an different computer with the same bad result.

So I send the Logfile to Microsoft and have now to wait for an response from them.

In the meantime I'll download the Software from some source and try a different edition! Hopefully I can use the CD-Key I get with my Original.

[Oleg_Rus]

Was trying to install Windows Home Server on an different computer with the same bad result.

So I send the Logfile to Microsoft and have now to wait for an response from them.

In the meantime I'll download the Software from some source and try a different edition! Hopefully I can use the CD-Key I get with my Original.

How much M$ pays for beta testing ? I can outsource about 100+ "installers" from Pantip at 1$ per case.

[Guest Reimar]

That's NOT Beta testing, it's the final and I like to use it at my small office.

And I don't look for pirated copies.