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Why use Windows Home Server?
The benefits of utilizing Windows Home Server as a backup solution in the workplace are compelling. You may have considered, be considering, or be using a Linux-based Network Attached Storage device today. How does WHS differ? While the distinction between a NAS device and a home server is blurry to say the least, generally NAS devices are low powered devices with minimal memory and processing power and tend to run a flavor of Linux. They excel equally to a home server in terms of networked storage and media streaming, but generally do not provide the advanced backup and remote access features of a Windows Home Server, which also comes with a faster processor and more memory. NAS devices tend to be cheaper than home servers, normally as a result of lower component costs and a free Linux operating system. While home servers launched at a premium to NAS devices, their cost is slowly dropping to compete more effectively in the marketplace.
If you are considering the Data Vault or another Windows Home Server-based solution for the office, here’s a very brief run down on its features:
Automatic Backup and Easy Restore – Automatically backs up up to 10 PCs in your office each evening, with the ability to open up and navigate through each day’s backup and restore a single file, an entire folder or quickly reinstall the entire computer complete with all files, user data and drivers intact, thanks to its image based backup technology.
Folder Duplication – added protection of the data on your shared folders (in case of drive failure), by duplicating that data to a separate physical drive (if installed).
External Backup – further protection of your shared folders by copying all data to an external USB drive for off-site storage.
Health Warnings – Monitors all computers connected to the home server (courtesy of a small dashboard application called the Windows Home Server Console you install on each computer in the office) and detects issues with anti-virus, firewall and backup status, using a simple “traffic light” (Red, Amber Green) warning system. It can also alert users to issues with the home server itself.
File Sharing – Shared folders on the home server act as central repositories for documents, music, videos and photos. Any authorized computer and user on the network can then access those folders to add more files, copy and delete files as well and stream media files to an appropriate networked playback device. It’s also quite easy to grant or prevent specific users from accessing certain folders for additional security.
Printer Sharing – Connect a printer to the home server and any home computer can print to it.
Remote Access – A free URL (as well as commercial offerings) is provided to allow users to connect to the server remotely from any location with Internet access. Users can then access folders on the server itself, or control any authorized computer directly using a Remote Desktop Connection.
Media Streaming – Stream music, videos and photos to a wide variety of playback devices on your network, including digital media receivers, Media Center Extenders, networked TVs, digital photo frames, networked Hi-Fis etc.
Add-Ins – A thriving and growing library of third-party applications providing additional features for your home server including power management, enhanced media streaming, hard disk management and more. Check out Home Server Plus for a full list.
HP X510 StorageWorks Data Vault vs HP EX495 MediaSmart Server
Before I proceed further, let me answer (or perhaps dodge) your first question. Is the HP StorageWorks X510 Data Vault a MediaSmart Server EX495 with a different label, storage options and price? The specs are very similar. The look is very similar. Okay, the on board software at launch is also very similar. Actually, it doesn’t really matter if you are a card-carrying member of the SOHO crowd. Your only interests are the ROI of owning this product and the low maintenance requirements for use as a business tool.
If you are a SOHO owner, this is what you want to hear from HP:
If, like many small business firms, you are sharing a broadband connection among a group of loosely connected PCs or Macs (peer-to-peer networking), you need the peace of mind of a secure backup solution for your files and an easy way to share
those files with your colleagues and clients.The HP StorageWorks X510 Data Vault gives you all that and more. While there are many reasons to make the HP Data Vault your backup solution, here are the top four:
- EASE OF USE
Automated backups, easy file restoration, hot swapping and quick setup (plug in the power cord,connect Ethernet cable, press the power button and it is ready to go in 60 seconds).- EXPANSION
Four internal bays, one external eSATA port and four USB ports (one front, three back).- RELIABILITY
Disaster recovery, HP quality and security features that prevent unauthorized access.- VALUE
Efficiently use all of your disk space with built-in disk management and de-duplication technology. In sleep mode, the HP Data Vault consumes only one watt of electricity, and you can program when connected systems will power up and shut down—saving on energy costs.
So, does the HP StorageWorks X510 Data Vault fit that bill? That is what I am here to (personally) find out. Why? I have reached a point in my blogging career where I may not have terabytes of irreplaceable data, but many hundreds of individual files that would cause me great pain if lost. Hence the need for an easy to setup, easy to use, easy to maintain, low-cost backup solution. I may not be a card-carrying member of the HO side of a SOHO yet, but I am getting darn close.
Which brings me to that last introductory question and/or comment. Am I, as a member of the SOHO crowd, paying a premium for an X510?
Let’s see, the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 with a 1.5TB drive is $699.99. An equivalent HP StorageWorks X510 with a 1TB Data Vault is $699.00. So I suppose I am losing 500GB of storage capacity for a change in the name. Now I must ask: what am I getting in return for that small premium?
I’ll get back to you in a bit on that…
