We Got Served

Windows Home Server 2011 Step By Step – Part 2: Building Your Home Server

Terry Walsh — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:49 +0000

We start with home server hardware. The first release of Windows Home Server in 2007 shipped on a variety of hardware that you could pick up from your local Best Buy, PC World or favourite online store. Fast forward to Windows Home Server 2011, and dedicated hardware is more difficult to find. So you’re left with the choice to either purchase an off the shelf PC or small server (such as HP’s excellent ProLiant MicroServer) and install the Windows Home Server 2011 software, or build your own. If you don’t fancy a build project, then skip to Chapter 4 for installation goodness. Otherwise, grab your screwdriver and spirit of adventure and come with me!

Hands On: AZiO KB178RT Mini Thumb Keyboard

Jim Clark — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:14:59 +0000

I am not a thumb-typist, but that does not stop me from finding this keyboard a pleasure to use with my HTPC.

Hands On: Synology DiskStation DS-111

Terry Walsh — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:15:25 +0000

With Synology's DiskStation DS-111, the company's entry level consumer NAS server, we're now at the (roughly) £150/$200 mark for a diskless device - still more expensive than direct attached storage (especially with current hard disk prices), but packing a swathe of value added features that you'd previously expect to find only in higher end devices. Whilst the hardcore enthusiast may well prefer a 4-bay powerhouse, could the single bay DS-111 be the right NAS for the masses? Let's find out.

Add-in Update: Cloudberry Backup v2.6.2

Terry Walsh — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:27:21 +0000

Cloudberry Backup allows you to back-up the data on your home or small business server to the cloud. Powered by a variety of online storage providers, the add-in integrates neatly with the Dashboard to allow backup scheduling, data encryption and many more features to protect your data.

Add-in Update: Lights-Out Service Pack 2 Beta Refresh

Terry Walsh — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:52:57 +0000

A refresh of Lights-Out Service Pack 2 Beta was released this week for Windows Home Server v1 and WHS 2011. The power management add-in allows you to place your server in sleep or hibernation mode at scheduled times

Using Apple OS X Lion Server as a Home Server (VPN Configuration)

Terry Walsh — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:01:33 +0000

So far, remote access to our Lion Server has been restricted to viewing the server webpage and checking out our Calendar remotely. That's providing a little bit of value, but we need more! The good news is that we can remotely log in to the server from a remote location, and use it just as if we were sitting in front of it at home, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection. I won't bore you too much with the technology, but I should cover a couple of things before we get started.

Add-in Update: AWIECO Wake on LAN v1.2

Terry Walsh — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:51:57 +0000

AWIECO WakeOnLAN is an add-in which enables the Home Server to start up every computer attached to your network. The add-in shows a list of all available and connected computers within your network and allows you to start them up from any location on network or over the internet.

Advanced Admin Console 2011 Is Released

Jim Clark — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:56:40 +0000

The testing is over and the production version of the WHS 2011 add-in Advanced Admin Console is now available.

LaCie Announces New Small Home and Office Servers in the Shape of the 5big Office Series

Terry Walsh — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:01:56 +0000

Following the launch of the company's 5big Backup and Storage Servers in 2010, LaCie today announced a refresh of the series in the form of the 5big Office and 5big Office+ small business servers. Powered by a choice of Windows Home Server 2011 or Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials (Microsoft's "Breckenridge" server operating system - a close cousin of Windows SBS Essentials 2011 and Windows Home Server 2011) the products provide centralised file sharing, remote access and client backup for up to 25 users.

Windows Home Server 2011 Step By Step – Part 1: What Is a Home Server?

Terry Walsh — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:46:16 +0000

Before we get into the finer details of life with Windows Home Server, we should take a step back and ask a pretty important question. Just what is a home server? Ask a hundred people in the street, and you’ll find many blank faces and the odd comedian who’ll ask you if it has something to do with household chores.

iHomeServer v2.0.28

Terry Walsh — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:34:37 +0000

iHomeServer is an add-in for Windows Home Server v1 and Windows Home Server 2011 which allows you to manage Apple's iTunes media player directly from the WHS Console/Dashboard. iHomeServer starts iTunes automatically when the computer starts, keeps it running and allows you to manage iTunes without having to physically access the computer. It also makes it easy to add new media to your iTunes Media Server.

Add-in Update: Snoop-de-dupe v1.6

Terry Walsh — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:50:22 +0000

Snoop-de-dupe monitors folders you select on your home server and will detect and display a list duplicate files in the Windows Home Server Console. From there, you can delete the duplicates, ignore/keep the duplicate files, or in the case of the add-in for Windows Home Server 2011 & Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, replace the duplicate files with a hard-link.