That said, small business users simply do not need many of the features that shipped with the first Data Vault, so it makes sense for them to be removed in the entry-level series, to create a server that is more focused and more relevant to the customer based at which its targeted.
The good news is that the removal of these features from the software balances nicely against the performance hit created by the use of the Atom processor. We tested a 175MB file transfer on both the X510 and X310, with the following results:
X310 vs X510 File Transfer Comparison
Read (Wireless) Write (Wireless) Read (Wired) Write (Wired)
X310 Data Vault 1:18 1:26 0:20 0:28
X510 Data Vault 1:37 1:25 0:29 0:28
From these figures, it can be argued that the stripping back of the Data Vault’s feature set has boosted performance over the more powerful X510, with basic tasks like file transfers completing more quickly on the new model. It’s a similar story with overall Console responsiveness, with the X310’s Windows Home Server Console opening in 20 seconds from launch, whilst the X510 chugs along to open in 1 minute 8 seconds.
My guess here is that the performance boost is in no small part due to the removal of TwonkyMedia Server on the X310, a DLNA media server that enhances media streaming support for a wider variety of digital media receivers, but has been dogged by performance issues since it was introduced on the MediaSmart Server series a couple of years ago. The comparison clearly proves the low power Intel Atom D510 with 2GB RAM in support is a fine choice for the X310, and browsers should be confident in its ability to perform the day to day basic tasks of a small office server.
Conclusions
HP’s introduction of the X310 Data Vault is a smart move. With the benefit of a little extra time, the company has been able to better assess the capabilities of the Data Vault’s first generation and tailor both hardware and software to create an entry level small office server that’s more relevant to its target market, and despite weaker hardware, performs better.
We’re happy to see Twonky MediaServer pulled from the product – it’s performance overhead dogs the HP MediaSmart Server and X510 Data Vault, and hobbles those servers to a degree where the promise of HP’s value added applications is never fully realised. The loss of the associated media features in the X310, for small business customers, is no loss. In the X310 HP have a great solution for micro businesses that combines the great backup, file sharing and remote access features of Windows Home Server, with good looking hardware that’s flexible enough to grow as your business needs grow.
In reality, however, we should consider the X310 a “1.5 release”. If the X510 was HP’s toe in the water of the micro business market, they’ve done the right thing with the X310 to strip back the consumer features and aesthetic of the debut model. But we’re still missing the value added software that will truly differentiate the Data Vault series over an above its competitors. Sure, HP have a great reputation in small business, and are building out their after-sales service and support capabilities to offer businesses an integrated 360 degree solution that will give many business owners true peace of mind.
Looking purely at hardware, however, with Acer’s forthcoming H342 Aspire easyStore Home Server about to hit the market with a very similar specification and chassis at an aggressive price (their current mode, the H340, is available at $349 online – a full $200 less than the X310), HP’s new model feels a little expensive and the really budget conscious may turn to Acer’s solution which offers the same core functionality as the X310. If HP were to drop the price X310’s by $50 or so and build out a suite of strong value-added business add-ins for the Data Vault series, then, with all of that after sales service and support available, they’d have a winning “2.0” solution. We look forward to seeing HP continue to build towards this in the future.
In the meantime, we’d certainly recommend the X310 over its bigger brother for small business. It’s a highly capable server solution that will give micro businesses all of the data protection they need, whilst enhancing business value through easy file sharing and remote access – and at a price that’s significantly better value than the previous model.
