Windows Home Server

Im interested in creating a server for my house. I am curious to how powerful windows home server really is. i know it can create backups of all your pcs. and store data all in one spot. but can anyone elaberate a little on what this software is really capable of out of box. like can it host a website for me. could i create a mail server? this is really odd but could i install a piece of software on it and run that software from different pcs.

 

Windows Home Server is mainly meant for backing up other computers and providing a central location for storing and distributing files such as documents, music, videos, and photos.

You cannot install software on it and use that software from different PCs because Windows Home Server is seen as a server operating system. A lot of end user software will not work on it. You can setup Windows Home Server as a mail server, but this is a lot of work and it doesn't always work properly. Take it from a guy who tried this, was successful, and then realized that it just wasn't worth it. You are better off with options like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc. for email access from any computer.

Windows Home Server can host a website for you. However, it is not designed to distribute that website to thousands of people. It is designed to host a website that will be used by few people (your family, friends, you). Furthermore, if you are going to host a website that will be used by thousands, you really need to have a business connection. Otherwise, your ISP will come knocking on your door.

Windows Home Server can also transcode videos and music for you on the fly. This requires third party software and lots of configuration. You will also need hardware that is much more powerful than the recommended in order to be able to transcode on the fly in real time.

 

thanks Metril i was really curious about it. maybe i will just build a win 7 64 bit machine. ive been sort of twisting my laptops arm to do stuff it really shouldnt. i think its time to just face the facts that i need a real desktop. even if in the end i cant do all sorts of tricks

 

WHS is very powerfull but its a server/backup not a OS so you need a dedicated machine for it.

It does not take a very powerfull machine to run it, but if you are going to have a lot of add-ons you may want to beef up the system some.

Add-Ons include software, things like torrent and nzb clients for example.

It can also host a website I know a few people that use wordpress blogs hosted from there WHS machines.

 

The Zangetsu guy above is right. You don't need powerful hardware to run WHS (Windows Home Server) for backups and centralizing storage.

 

How powerful... do you mean the hardware?

Depends which one you buy I've set my eyes on the HP X510 and aim to order one after my trip to Poland in August.

(Finally - I just hope there is no expensive emergency that keeps me from ordering one)

 

I definitely will build my own cheaper and more customized to what I need.

None of the lower priced prebuilds have good hardware all around and hold at most 4hdds when my self built unit will house 6x2TB hdds.

Keep in mind I picked these parts probably 2 years ago and never got to build due to budget reasons.

Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

But its a good example of a system that is lower power/heat/cost but has enough power to do stuff like transcode/stream/server for HD and others

 

Actually, if I compared that to the HP the price is very similar

And I know that if I ever try to build a computer it will go wrong...

But if you know how to build one it is a good suggestion

 

Hi...

I am interested in this too as I have been toying with the idea of having a file/storage repository for my data at home. I have been specifically thinking of buying a file server (like HP, Acer, Lenovo etc.) offer. But was also wondering if it might be cheaper to get a WHS copy and a refitted old tower. Btw, I am quite clueless about how to set this up, so I will be looking through guides and "how-to" docs as I go along. For the moment, what do you folks think? Should I go "off the shelf" or the WHS route?

 

If you are able to build a desktop then you can easily build your own Hoem Server.

If you prefer a finished product because you have never done it - look at this one: HP StorageWorks X500 Data Vault Small & Medium Business
(And add your own drives - i.e. go with the lowest model)

 

Thanks. But that looks awfully expensive. But, yes, that is something like what I had in mind. I have been looking into some of the options from Acer and Lenovo which are cheaper (and obviously less capable etc.).

 

Well, in Germany via Amazon its 540€ - cheapest online would be 480€ - which isn't too bad - the Acer is in the low end version 400€ in Germany... so you get a much better piece of equipment for yes - more money - but it has a 2,5GHz Pentium and not an Atom.

 

OK. Thanks for the leads. I'll certainly look into it.