Synchronisation offers more advance options to copy files between the home server and the external drive. The options allow you to compare and update files that are newer on the home server, newer on the external drive, files that are not found on the home server and files that are not found on the external drive.
The ASUS Xtor Manager is an original add-in which will help you more easily work with external drives on your home server. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how much testing has been completed on the software, as there’s some obvious spelling mistakes in the File Manager – “External Stroage” anyone? There’s also quite a bit of poor grammar and bad English in the add-in, as the dialog box below illustrates. I’m surprised to see a product shipping with these kind of language issues, which should be picked up and solved in the QA process.
ASUS WebStorage
ASUS bundle 500GB of free online data storage with the Mini TS for a year, allowing you to easily backup and sync your shared folder data on the home server and connected home computers with the cloud.
The add-in allows you to select specific shared folders to back-up online from the home server with a simple checkbox click. Furthermore, you can also install the ASUS WebStorage application to your home computers, which will create a new folder, called MySyncFolder on that computer. Any file and folder you place in that folder will be backed up online.
Backup to the cloud happens in (almost) real-time – as soon as a new file appears on the home server or in a MySyncFolder , it’ll be backed up to your WebStorage account.
An ASUS WebStorage settings page allows you to configure a Low speed mode for uploads (to ensure your internet connection does not get swamped by file uploads), clean out (delete) all files and folders backed up online, and reports how much online storage you’ve used.
In test, I found an issue with the add-in whereby if there’s no internet connection available for the home server when accessing the WebStorage Tab, the console will crash. Not a great experience.
ASWM Hardware Monitoring (ASUS System Web-based Management software)
OK, so they do have a hardware monitor like everyone else. This allows you to monitor your home server with real-time reporting of fans, temperature, hard drives, network, memory and CPU. A neat twist here is that you can also configure an email address for automatic alerts in the case of a problem with the home server.
Additional reporting is also available including access to your OS Information, System Configuration, Network Devices, Event Logs and a whole host of other reports.
ASWM also enables an in place BIOS upgrade – you’re able to download a BIOS ROM file from ASUS’ website and place it in your Software/BIOS shared folder on the home server. Select BIOS Flash from within ASWM, browse to your new BIOS file and off you go.
There’s a lot of monitoring and servicing features available here – actually, far too many when it comes to the fact that running services can be exposed, started and stopped on from within the home server (great for geeks, nor for average users). Allowing users to easily flash the BIOS from within the console makes me very scared indeed. I hope ASUS have stepped up their customer support resources, as ASWM really works against the overarching ethos of the Console as a simple, easy location to manage and administer basic home server settings.
In truth, the overall aesthetic design of the add-in is poor – it definitely looks like another application has been hacked to allow it to be exposed in the Windows Home Server Console.
avast! Anti Virus 60 Day Trial
A trial version of avast! anti-virus for Windows Home Server is also included in the box, which offers AV protection on both the home server and connected home computers.
ASUS Crash Free
If you have a serious system crash, and the BIOS is corrupted, ASUS supply a copy of the BIOS file on the Recovery DVD, which can be placed on a USB drive, and can be reinstalled courtesy of a special boot mode called ASUS Crash Free.
Verdict
ASUS’ TS Mini is a good value, basic home server with a small footprint that can be easily hidden away.Whilst it’s only a 2 bay chassis, the vast array of expansion options across eSATA and USB mean that it has the capability to grow in line with your storage needs.
In concept, the add-ins provided are useful – in particular making it easy to work with external drives, and allowing easy back-up of data on your shared folders to the cloud. My concern is in the delivery of these add-ins from a user interface perspective. ASWM is a useful utility for hardcore geeks, but exposes a lot of under the hood functionality that can cause problems for the novice user. The language issues in ASUS XStor cause me to question the level of testing that has been done on ASUS’ software – it really takes the edge of what is a very competent home server.
So, in short, a nice little home server, and perfect for delivering WHS’ core backup and remote access features. However, I’d encourage ASUS to review and fix their user interface issues to cement a great hardware/software solution.
