Windows Home Server: The backup solution you need

JDtech · 09-05-2010, 12:30 PM

Windows Home Server (WHS) has been out for several years now, but few people have even heard of it. That’s a shame because it provides the kind of hands-off, automated backup that most Windows users need.

WHS is an operating system, not a device. It’s based on Microsoft’s rock-solid Windows 2003 Server operating system, which is still in production on millions of servers—computers that run web sites, transport e-mail, and perform dozens of file streaming functions—around the world. WHS, though, takes the geeky foundation of Server 2003 and adds functionality aimed squarely at home users—most significantly, automated backup of all household computers. The only requirements to use WHS are an in-home network—which many already have through their wireless broadband or DSL router—and a healthy fear of losing data.

The easiest way to acquire WHS is by purchasing a product with the operating system pre-installed, such as HP’s MediaSmart Server. These devices, which are essentially small computers designed to be run and operated without a keyboard or monitor attached, are relatively inexpensive, starting at about half the cost of a full-fledged desktop machine. Four hundred dollars, for example, gets you a MediaSmart Server with plenty of horsepower and a 1 terabyte drive to start out. Or, if you have an old computer around, you can opt to build your own Windows Home Server by buying a copy of the operating system itself from a vendor such as Newegg for less than 100 dollars.

Once set up, WHS asks you to install a small client application on every computer in your house. That little application allows WHS to communicate with your machines. From that point on, you’re largely out of the picture. Each night—typically very late, when you’re sleeping—WHS backs up every computer in your house, even replicating data, if you choose, so that it is still salvageable if a drive in the WHS or MediaSmart Server fails.

WHS does more than backup. It also provides secure, web-based, remote control access to all of the machines in your home, and you can set it up to stream audio and video to connected computers and other media devices. But it’s Windows Home Server’s core function of automated backups that should put it high on the list of any Windows user currently relying on a human-centric backup procedure.

If you don't have a backup solution that removes the human element entirely from the backup routine, I suggest you look seriously at this one.

harryset · 11-07-2010, 09:59 AM

I've got a couple of really good bare-bones carcases sitting here. . . could you give me a run-down on how I would go about turning one of them into a server. This wouldn't be a total network server, just linked to my two editing units.

JDtech · 11-11-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryset

I've got a couple of really good bare-bones carcases sitting here. . . could you give me a run-down on how I would go about turning one of them into a server. This wouldn't be a total network server, just linked to my two editing units.

Sure. Just buy an OEM copy of Windows Home Server and install it like a regular OS. Make sure your WHS box is connected to your router (home network) via ethernet cable.

09-05-2010, 12:30 PM	#1
JDtech Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 308 Blog Entries: 1	Windows Home Server: The backup solution you need Windows Home Server (WHS) has been out for several years now, but few people have even heard of it. That’s a shame because it provides the kind of hands-off, automated backup that most Windows users need. WHS is an operating system, not a device. It’s based on Microsoft’s rock-solid Windows 2003 Server operating system, which is still in production on millions of servers—computers that run web sites, transport e-mail, and perform dozens of file streaming functions—around the world. WHS, though, takes the geeky foundation of Server 2003 and adds functionality aimed squarely at home users—most significantly, automated backup of all household computers. The only requirements to use WHS are an in-home network—which many already have through their wireless broadband or DSL router—and a healthy fear of losing data. The easiest way to acquire WHS is by purchasing a product with the operating system pre-installed, such as HP’s MediaSmart Server. These devices, which are essentially small computers designed to be run and operated without a keyboard or monitor attached, are relatively inexpensive, starting at about half the cost of a full-fledged desktop machine. Four hundred dollars, for example, gets you a MediaSmart Server with plenty of horsepower and a 1 terabyte drive to start out. Or, if you have an old computer around, you can opt to build your own Windows Home Server by buying a copy of the operating system itself from a vendor such as Newegg for less than 100 dollars. Once set up, WHS asks you to install a small client application on every computer in your house. That little application allows WHS to communicate with your machines. From that point on, you’re largely out of the picture. Each night—typically very late, when you’re sleeping—WHS backs up every computer in your house, even replicating data, if you choose, so that it is still salvageable if a drive in the WHS or MediaSmart Server fails. WHS does more than backup. It also provides secure, web-based, remote control access to all of the machines in your home, and you can set it up to stream audio and video to connected computers and other media devices. But it’s Windows Home Server’s core function of automated backups that should put it high on the list of any Windows user currently relying on a human-centric backup procedure. If you don't have a backup solution that removes the human element entirely from the backup routine, I suggest you look seriously at this one. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on Tech Today Online, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more. __________________ Follow me on Twitter \| My Tech Blog

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11-07-2010, 09:59 AM	#2
harryset Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bemidji, Minnesota Posts: 45	I've got a couple of really good bare-bones carcases sitting here. . . could you give me a run-down on how I would go about turning one of them into a server. This wouldn't be a total network server, just linked to my two editing units.