In the previous article in our Get Started series, we learned how to install and configure Windows Home Server on new hardware. Once the operating system has been installed, it’s time to install the Windows Home Server Connector software on each home computer we wish to back up.
The great news about installing the Windows Home Server Connector is that it’s really, really easy – in fact, if you’ve got this far, you’ll find it a breeze!
The Windows Home Server Connector is a small piece of software that connects your home computers to Windows Home Server on the network, and includes the Windows Home Server Console – the dashboard software you use to control and manage your home server.
You can install the software on your computer in two ways. Firstly, you may have a copy of the Windows Home Server Connector on the CD that came with your home server. If so, pop the CD into your home computer’s CD/DVD drive and wait for the Autorun window to appear.
Alternatively, to ensure you’re installing the latest version of the Windows Home Server connector, you can do the following:
On the computer you wish to install the Connector, open up Windows Explorer (Start > Computer) and in the address bar at the top of the screen, type in \\[yourhomeservername]/Software (where [yourhomeservername] is the name you gave your home server at installation) – I’m using a HP MediaSmart Server, which is called hpserver, so mine looks like this:
Double click Home Server Connector Software
Double click the application named setup and the Connector setup will run.
Depending on whether you’re using a self-built home server or a pre-build home server from the likes of HP or Acer, the Connector install can be very slightly different in terms of branding, but the process is the same. I’m going to be using a HP MediaSmart Server for this example. Click through the welcome screen and End User License Agreement and the software will begin to install.
Very soon, the main Windows Home Server Connector screen will appear. If you’re installing a self-built version of Windows Home Server, this is the first screen you’ll see.
Once necessary files are installed, the Connector Wizard will go and look for your home server on the network (make sure it’s switched on and plugged into your router!)
If you have more than one home server attached to your network, you’ll be asked which home server you wish to back up that computer. You can only connect a home computer to one home server. The dialog looks like this, if you’re interested:
Most of you will just have the one home server, so as long as it’s detected on the network, you’ll be asked to enter the Windows Home Server Administrator’s password. (If you’ve forgotten it, you can get a hint).
You’ll be asked if you want your home server to wake the computer to back it up (if the computer is hibernating or sleeping). Note that due to the vagaries of Wake on LAN technology, the computer may not be put back to sleep after Windows Home Server is finished with it.
Make your selection and click Next. After a short time, your computer will be configured to be backed up by Windows Home Server.
And… you’re finished!
Repeat this simple walkthrough for all of the PCs in the house, and before you know it, all of your computers will be protected by Windows Home Server!
In the next part of our Get Started guide, we’ll walk through setting up User Accounts and Permissions on the home server.
