Amahi Reaches Version Six, Adds Premium Accounts, Cloud Sync

By on March 3, 2011 in News, Software

Version six of Amahi, the Linux-based home server software, was released today boasting new features, services and performance improvements.

According to the announcement post, the new release focuses on improving reliability. It’s based on Fedora 14 and includes a new version of the Greyhole storage pooling application, which promises dramatic performance improvements courtesy of a switch from SQLite to MySQL for its back-end.

Also new is Amahi Sync, an online backup feature for users with premium accounts. Two premium accounts now sit alongside the free version of the software – a $9.99 per month Pro account, offering 50GB storage and a $19.99 per month, 150GB Ninja account.

We’ll be reviewing our first Amahi home server shortly in the shape of the ECOPC N.1 – in the meantime, for more on Amahi 6, check out today’s announcement post.

More: Amahi


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About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
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  • Dino

    I have to admit, I've been a Microsofty for some time, but was *so* annoyed when Drive Extender was pulled from WHS that I decided enough was enough, and switched to Amahi 5 and loved what I saw. I then also tested the Beta of Amahi 6, and was even more impressed. What's most impressive is the tireless attitude shown by the developers. I really see a bright future for this platform.

    I really don't see a future for WHS any more. Amahi is the way…

  • OleKristianK

    I was a fan of WHS, but it seems like Microsoft has left it for dead. I am actually glad it happened as I got to discover Amahi! Go give it a try, you will not regret it!

  • Rychek

    If Amahi had the same client backup features of WHS, I would switch in a heartbeat. However, it does not and so I hope one of the 3rd party drive pooling vendors can pull a rabbit out of their hat.

    • AmahiUser

      Try the CrashPlan app for client backup on Amahi.

      • Bob

        Unfortunately, Crash Plan doesn't do full image backups, just data files.

      • Rychek

        Full image + incremental is what I have and want. I tried CrashPlan before I had a WHS and was not impressed.

        • Matthew Dornquast

          We do full image + incrementals on linux. Included in that is de-duplication, scheduling, bandwidth controls, sets, etc.. Everything can be secured offsite with CrashPlan for free to your own destinations or ours for a small fee.

          Not guaranteed to impress though. :)

  • Talex

    I have an Amahi test server running now, I am just waiting for them to get Grayhole a UI similar and as easy to use as WHS v1's with add to pool, remove from pool etc. Then I am jumping to Amahi.

  • teq

    I can't imagine using anything based on Fedora. By definition, Fedora is 'bleeding edge' with no long time support, i.e., you need to update to the next version frequently (i.e., every other year). While this may be great as a Linux enthusiast's system, it's the opposite of what I'd want as a stable homeserver platform. WHS v1 will be supported until 2014 (I think) – you will have to update to the next version of Fedora more than once by then.

    Just my 5 cents.

    Cheers,
    teq

  • hielke

    i tested amahi 5 and 6 beta, but i am not impressed. it is more for the linux enthousiast and not as easy as WHS. and a big show stopper for me is no good (and as easy) backup facility for the clients

  • OwlSaver

    I was going to try Amahi, but two things stopped me. First, the fact that a full client backup is not in the base system. this needs to be a core feature, not an add on. Second, it seems to want to take over my DHCP and DNS or I will not get full functionality. But, I have FiOS and I will not get full functionality from FiOS if it is not serving DNS and DHCP. Besides, WHS works fine without taking this over.

    • kyo

      You can easily disable/enable Amahi DHCP and DNS on Amahi dashboard setup.

  • Bret Snyder

    Started using Amahi about 2 months ago. I am a convert form WHS, I love it! The TinCan app lets me stream my server based music to my android. The Gallery app lets me share family pictures. I have VPN access to my server, with a Trueimage I can backup my windows clients to it, and Greyhole works as advertised.

  • Shane

    Tried Amahi 6 this weekend. Showstopper: adding/removing drives still requires command-line operations and manually editing a file. Annoyance: some "extras" don't work unless Amahi is your network's DHCP and DNS provider.

    • OwlSaver

      Yes, that thing with DHCP and DNS is enough of an annoyance to stop me from using it. If they really want to go this route, they need to come up with a full HW/SW solution so they can be my primary router (I am on FiOS so the HW will need to support MoCA). Oh and IPv6 too. Then, they would have something.

  • Varroa

    Same for me. I liked what I saw but having to disable DHCP/DNS ruins some of the functionality of this. I have a microtik router and I don’t need something else trying to do DHCP for me. The client backup feature is also a must for me so I am still looking for something to replace my WHS v1 when the time comes. Maybe WHS v2 with a 3rd party drive extender is the best option?

  • Craig

    I just jumped to Amahi 6. Like some of you, I was apprehensive. Adding drives isn't easy, but it's not hard. The first time I tried it I took a grand total of about 6 minutes. There are still some rough spots, and backups aren't as nice as with WHS, but it's leaner, faster, and as they add more apps (stuff like Sabnzbd, Sickbeard, and others) that are tuned to run natively, it'll be excellent.

    Bye bye, WHS. I didn't have anywhere near the control I ever wanted with you, and Vail is looking like DisasterWare.