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Question about WHS, HP Mediasmart Server Software and Windows Server 2003/8/R2 RRS feed

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    I'm completely new to setting up a server but I really enjoy building computers and would like to build my own. I've been looking around and I think WHS offers the best solution for me as far as OS goes (automated backup with media streaming and drop in and go hard drives). Before I take the plunge, I have a few questions. If any of the questions below aren't in the correct place, please just tell me and I'll move them or delete them.

    1. The hardware I'm looking at is:

    AMD Athlon X2 240
    ECS A785GM-M mobo
    4gb (2x2GB) DDR3 memory (probably whatever is cheapest)
    Corsair CMPSU-400CX
    Antec Two Hundred Case
    1.5TB WD Green Caviar

    Any suggestions? I'm streaming for a somewhat low power machine. The memory seems overkill, but DDR3 is virtually the same price as DDR2 and the best value seems to be for 2x2GB. I'm completely open to suggestions, even if you think the build sucks.

    2. In my search for a home media server, I came across HP's line of Mediasmart Servers. To me, they seem somewhat overpriced for the hardware and expandability they offer. They also don't offer me the satisfaction that building my own server does. However, I am interested in the Mediasmart software that HP supplies. The iTunes streaming/music collector and Time Machine backup (with bare metal backup) are what really interest me. Are these features available already in WHS through add-ins and HP has just centralized/glamed them up into one package or are they only available with the Mediasmart software. I've researched a bit, and non-hacked Time Machine backup only seems possible with the HP software. I just find it hard to believe that HP is the only entity that has figured out how to allow Time Machine to backup to a network. What exactly are all the services that HP provides with their software? Are there add-ins that emulate/surpass the functionality that HP provides?

    3. I'm a student, so I have free access to Windows Server 2003, 2008, and 2008 R2. While WHS isn't super pricey, free is free. How different are the Server version from WHS? Could I use one of the Server versions instead of WHS? I'm hoping that the difference is just simpler interfaces/options in WHS. I don't mind digging a little bit for the WHS features if they're included in the Server versions but if it's too much of an ordeal I might just bite the bullet and purchase WHS.

    Thank you for any help and advice you can offer.
    Monday, January 4, 2010 6:35 PM

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    1. I don't see anything wrong with the hardware you've proposed, but I don't own it. The usual hurdles regarding hardware are lack of stable, reasonably performing drivers for Windows Server 2003 (the base OS under Windows Home Server, hardware incompatibility issues, and installation issues due to the use of SATA drives. But please discuss hardware in the Hardware forum...

    2. The HP add-ins are from HP, they're not available as add-ins from elsewhere. You can install the iTunes streaming server yourself (it's Firefly), but the Mac components, and the HP media aggregation tool, aren't available without buying an HP. As far as configuring Time Machine to back up to a network share is concerned, Apple doesn't seem to want you to do that, but if you search, I'm pretty sure you can figure it out. 

    3. Windows Home Server is really a set of tools and technologies added on top of Windows Server 2003. You won't find the Windows Home server specific features (backup, drive pool management, simplified user management, remote access features) in other versions of Windows.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Wednesday, January 6, 2010 1:14 AM
    • Marked as answer by S. Cuzzy Wednesday, January 6, 2010 8:05 AM
    Tuesday, January 5, 2010 4:45 PM
    Moderator

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    1. I don't see anything wrong with the hardware you've proposed, but I don't own it. The usual hurdles regarding hardware are lack of stable, reasonably performing drivers for Windows Server 2003 (the base OS under Windows Home Server, hardware incompatibility issues, and installation issues due to the use of SATA drives. But please discuss hardware in the Hardware forum...

    2. The HP add-ins are from HP, they're not available as add-ins from elsewhere. You can install the iTunes streaming server yourself (it's Firefly), but the Mac components, and the HP media aggregation tool, aren't available without buying an HP. As far as configuring Time Machine to back up to a network share is concerned, Apple doesn't seem to want you to do that, but if you search, I'm pretty sure you can figure it out. 

    3. Windows Home Server is really a set of tools and technologies added on top of Windows Server 2003. You won't find the Windows Home server specific features (backup, drive pool management, simplified user management, remote access features) in other versions of Windows.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Wednesday, January 6, 2010 1:14 AM
    • Marked as answer by S. Cuzzy Wednesday, January 6, 2010 8:05 AM
    Tuesday, January 5, 2010 4:45 PM
    Moderator
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    Thanks for the response. I've been scouring the internet trying to find the three paragraph answer that you gave.
    Wednesday, January 6, 2010 8:05 AM