I already have 5 external HDD's but was thinking of getting the HP Mediasmart so I can cetralize all my backup files etc. for my three PC's. Is it worth the $599.99 CAD price for the version that comes with one 500GB HDD? Here's a review of it.
Previously Gumby <gu...@is.cool> wrote: > I already have 5 external HDD's but was thinking of getting the HP > Mediasmart so I can cetralize all my backup files etc. for my three PC's. > Is it worth the $599.99 CAD price for the version that comes with one 500GB > HDD? Here's a review of it. > http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/whs_hp.asp
Seems reasonable. Usual caveat: If you are going to to operate a server, you should be competent enough to do your own storage server with Linux, which will be cheaper and better.
> Seems reasonable. Usual caveat: If you are going to to > operate a server, you should be competent enough to do > your own storage server with Linux, which will be cheaper > and better.
> Arno
Yea, I was thinking of building my own and have even downloaded free server software but I like the look and idea of this small box with Windows Home Server software. I can go and buy it today and be up and running half an hour later. If I build my own I have to source all the parts and go learn how to set it all up. I can do that but I also like convenience and am willing to pay for it if it is good. Why would Linux server software be better for a home server? I had planned to only make the files available to the internal network and not over the internet. The Microsft/HP software also comes with a couple of progs for automated backup too.
Previously Gumby <gu...@is.cool> wrote: > Arno Wagner <m...@privacy.net> wrote in > news:68odjgF2u9opiU1@mid.individual.net: >> Seems reasonable. Usual caveat: If you are going to to >> operate a server, you should be competent enough to do >> your own storage server with Linux, which will be cheaper >> and better.
>> Arno
> Yea, I was thinking of building my own and have even downloaded free server > software but I like the look and idea of this small box with Windows Home > Server software. I can go and buy it today and be up and running half an > hour later. If I build my own I have to source all the parts and go learn > how to set it all up. I can do that but I also like convenience and am > willing to pay for it if it is good. Why would Linux server software be > better for a home server? I had planned to only make the files available to > the internal network and not over the internet. The Microsft/HP software > also comes with a couple of progs for automated backup too.
You do know that Windows Home Server is a pice of trash, that, e.g., generates un-restorable backups and has other serious problems?
>> Seems reasonable. Usual caveat: If you are going to to >> operate a server, you should be competent enough to do >> your own storage server with Linux, which will be cheaper >> and better.
Cheaper, but not better. Ever seen a balance Windows vs Linux review? It will take weeks to master Lunix at the same level you know Windows.
> Yea, I was thinking of building my own and have even downloaded free server > software but I like the look and idea of this small box with Windows Home > Server software. I can go and buy it today and be up and running half an > hour later. If I build my own I have to source all the parts and go learn > how to set it all up. I can do that but I also like convenience and am > willing to pay for it if it is good. Why would Linux server software be > better for a home server? I had planned to only make the files available to > the internal network and not over the internet. The Microsft/HP software > also comes with a couple of progs for automated backup too.
Ignore Arnie, the Penguin Cult has turning him into a raving loon.
> You do know that Windows Home Server is a pice of trash, that, > e.g., generates un-restorable backups and has other serious > problems?
> Arno
Why would I know that if I have never used it? The review I pointed to says HP have enhanced the software and said it is not bad at all. Anyway, went and checked it out in the store and decided not to buy it for now as I already have 5 USB external HDD's for backup so don't really need it. I have a 1TB external HDD for just my mp3's. :)
Previously Gumby <gu...@is.cool> wrote: > Arno Wagner <m...@privacy.net> wrote in > news:68oi4rF2tq100U1@mid.individual.net: >> You do know that Windows Home Server is a pice of trash, that, >> e.g., generates un-restorable backups and has other serious >> problems?
>> Arno
> Why would I know that if I have never used it? The review I pointed > to says HP have enhanced the software and said it is not bad at > all. Anyway, went and checked it out in the store and decided not to > buy it for now as I already have 5 USB external HDD's for backup so > don't really need it. I have a 1TB external HDD for just my > mp3's. :)
1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days (and nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while ;-)
Arno Wagner <m...@privacy.net> wrote in news:68pgrkF2totu8U1 @mid.individual.net:
> 1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days (and > nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while ;-)
> Arno
I rip at 256kb/s but I only have about 150GB of mp3's so far. And of course a 1TB HDD is actually only about 920GB when formatted and you must leave about 20% free if you ever want to be able to defrag it. Still, it is going to take me quite a while to fill it up with mp3s.
> I think you are probably right. I've read numerous reviews of the HP > MediaSmart server box and they have been all quite positive.
FYI: Eric Gisin is one of the resident trolls.
As to the subject matter, I maintain that you cannot reliably operate such a server, unless you could also have built, installed and configured it yourself. And when you can do that, MS hime server is a poor choice. That was not a comment on the hardware. In addition, many reviewers are not available of non-MS alternatives and have a rather limited understanding of hwat such a server could do in terms of reliability and versatility, a state of affairs that MS tries keep intact.
> Arno Wagner <m...@privacy.net> wrote >> 1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days >> (and nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while ;-) > I rip at 256kb/s but I only have about 150GB of mp3's so far. And of > course a 1TB HDD is actually only about 920GB when formatted and > you must leave about 20% free if you ever want to be able to defrag it. > Still, it is going to take me quite a while to fill it up with mp3s.
And there is no point in worrying about fragmention with mp3s anyway.
In article <4DCVj.260599$pM4.120287@pd7urf1no>, Gumby <gu...@is.cool> wrote: >I already have 5 external HDD's but was thinking of getting the HP >Mediasmart so I can cetralize all my backup files etc. for my three PC's. >Is it worth the $599.99 CAD price for the version that comes with one 500GB >HDD? Here's a review of it.
I considered it, and decided against it. The 1st drive is difficult to remove, and if it dies (even if you have a second mirror drive), you are screwed because the primary drive is not completely mirrored. I think it has configuration data on it that is unique to that drive. I queried HP about what happens when Drive 1 fails, and you can't just pop in a new one and expect it to work.
I just bought a READYNAS Duo. Both drives are in removeable trays, and the mirroring will protect you if EITHER drive fails. They can even be hot swapped. The thermally controlled fan is very quiet, the software seems to be solid, and it's cheaper. They have an active support forum, and seem to be very responsive.
I can't speak for the media server stuff on it, I haven't had time to set that up. It certainly seems flexible. It also avoids putting more money in Microsoft's pocket.
