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Stay At Home Servers out to shatter the stereotype
We outright asked you how you'd alter Windows Home Server if you had the chance, and thankfully, none of you requested that these no good storage gizmos head right back to the office closet where "they belong." Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone has been able to overlook tradition and see how beneficial a home server can truly be. Legions of such devices are trickling into abodes as we speak, and while some families are rejoicing, others are apparently being torn apart at the notion of such a handsome device setting up shop within the residence. Stay At Home Servers: it's a debate sure to rage on long after the frosty months have passed, but just remember -- a family that stores together, (generally) stays together.Psst, check out the video in the read link if you're completely befuddled.
Hush Technologies' HS1 Home Server now available
Don't get down on yourself if you can't remember the last time you saw anything interesting from Hush Technologies -- we had to scour the archives ourselves -- but the German firm is storming back with a stylish home server dubbed the HS1. The Windows Home Server-powered device features a sexy aluminum chassis (available in three colors), a fanless design, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, an Ethernet jack, HDD kit for a pair of 3.5-inch drives and a 90-watt power supply. Interested consumers can customize the unit with up to 2TB of storage space and a gigabit Ethernet upgrade, but considering that the base configuration will run you €923.53 ($1,362), maxing this bad boy out won't come cheap.[Via WeGotServed]
How would you change Windows Home Server?
Windows Home Server hasn't quite taken a full year to make its way from being a mere announcement all the way into your living room, but it came darn close. That being said, we're not fielding any excuses as to why you haven't had enough time to at least test out the RC1, get a feel for what WHS devices would eventually be unveiled and read up on outside reviews, alright? Granted, you may have been put off by the on-again / off-again release date debacle surrounding HP's MediaSmart Home Server, but even if you weren't keen on the unit that practically became the early face of the software, we're confident that many of you were able to find a box that tickled your fancy from the cornucopia of alternatives. Now that Microsoft's latest flavor of Windows is out in the wild for anyone who cares to acquire it, we're wondering just how satisfied you are with the final product. Has it totally revolutionized your (previously non-existent) backup schedule? How functional have you found remote access to truly be? Has this quelled the bickering between your offspring over who gets to use the PC with all the Tears for Fears tracks on it? Feel free to share with us your favorite add-ins (along with ones you're currently working up), and don't hesitate to dole out as much criticism / adoration as necessary to get yourself noticed.
Intel's Entry Storage System SS4200 series of digital storage appliances
Now that Microsoft's Windows Home Server and Leopard's Time Machine have legs, you'd best get to thinking about your digital storage AND backup requirements. Not up to it? No worries, Intel's here to offload that processing with their Entry Storage System SS4200x. Their WHS friendly box will ship in two flavors: the hardware-only SS4200-EHW and SS4200-E with integrated software from EMC. The latter can be dropped onto your network as Network Attached Storage with support for 11 languages including those spoken my Macs and PCs. Besides being stuffed with all the requisite Intel chipsets (including a Celeron 400 class proc with DDR2 memory), the SS's feature up to 4x internal disks for "several terabytes of capacity." Exactly, Intel? Add a few more through the unit's eSATA port for something between oodles and mucho capacity. Available in December starting at $500.Update: Now that we have a picture, it's pretty clear who Fujitsu-Siemens and Velocity Micro have been sleeping with, eh?
Windows Home Server launches hardware blitz for holidays
Microsoft's Windows Home Server is saying balls to its dicey launch year and rallying the troops for a holiday hardware blitz. Its original hardware launch partner HP's on-sale-again-off-sale-again MediaSmart Home Server is officially back and on sale (huzzah!), and multiple hardware partners are (re)announcing their own boxes.Up to bat with new and "new" WHS hardware: Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, Iomega, LaCie, Leo Computers, LifeWare, Maxdata, Medion, and Tranquil. Sure, some have already announced, but those named today will either be introducing new WHS gear in short order, or at least intend to in the next quarter. Also getting official and on sale today: Velocity Micro's NetMagix (previously VMHS). Expect it with a Core 2 Duo, 1GB of RAM, eSATA, gigabit Ethernet, front / rear USB, and up to 4TB of storage (starting at $1000 for 1TB).P.S. -We're sure Microsoft would like us to remind you of the burgeoning WHS software add-on scene, with the dozens of apps now written for the platform. That's all well and good, but we'll worry about getting that hardware first, then take a look at that software.%Gallery-9767%
Tranquil rolls out Windows Home Server-based T2-WHS-A2
Tranquil sure looks to be serious about its Windows Home Server devices, with it now following up its recently-released T7-HSA model with its new T2-WHS-A2 Harmony Home Server. As before, you'll get fanless and near-silent operation, but with a larger casing that allows for more storage and expansion options. That includes two 3.5-inch hard drives for up to 2TB of storage (500MB by default), and six USB 2.0 ports to accommodate some additional devices. You'll also get fairly low power consumption (24 watts), and a pair of PCI slots that you can load up with four-port eSATA cards for even further expansion. Look for this one to start shipping next week, with it running £399 (or $830) for the base configuration.
Norco DS-520 home NAS is probably more server than you need
We're not certain what kind of home user needs a NAS solution this hardcore, but that's what Norco's targeting with the DS-520, a hot-swappable five-bay SATA II NAS that's actually a Celeron-M computer running your choice of Windows Home Server, XP, Linux, or "any other x86-based OS." The unit hits your network through the two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and you can configure the drives as RAID 0, 1, 5, 6 or JBOD arrays, and once you've maxed that out, the three eSATA ports and four USB 2.0 ports let you expand the system even farther. Those of you ready to max out your home networks are looking at dropping around $620 when this bad boy ships later this year.
Tranquil's T7-HSA shipping with Windows Home Server
It's been quite some time since we've heard any noise from Tranquil, but apparently, the firm's T7-HSA server is finally shipping. Notably, these wee machines not only utilize an energy-efficient, fanless design, but it arrives at your door with Windows Home Server under the hood. Granted, you won't be encoding any movie clips or recording 16 tracks of simultaneous audio with the modest 1.5GHz CPU, but it should handle basic media serving / home automation tasks just fine. Nevertheless, those interested can get their orders in now starting at £338 ($686), and you shouldn't have to wait long before having it in your hands.
Medion's Windows Home Server-based MD 90110 gets detailed
Just as HP reportedly delayed its own Windows Home Server-based device, Medion's iteration is getting all fleshed out, so let's get right down to the dirt, shall we? Apparently, the MD 90110 will feature an AMD Sempron 64 or Intel P4 LGA 775, an AMD RS-690 / Intel 945GC chipset, be based on a MicroATX motherboard, and include 1GB of RAM, between 500GB and 2TB of RAID storage space, an eSATA port, gigabit Ethernet, and four USB 2.0 connectors. Additionally, users can look forward to "screwless internal hard drive bays," a recovery button, HDD status LEDs, and a variety of configurations to fit your needs (and budget). Per usual, there's no hard data available just yet in regard to pricing or release dates, but we'll keep you posted.[Via WeGotServed]
HP delaying MediaSmart Home Server till the holidays?
Bad news for those anxiously awaiting the release of HP's MediaSmart Home Servers. Turns out, HP may be holding off on the launch due to Microsoft's "last minute bug hunting and tweaks." Reportedly, HP will be delaying shipment of the product "by 75 to 120 days," which means that eager to-be-customers won't be able to wrap their palms around the Windows Home Server-based device until "late fall." Of course, the wait should bring about a finer tuned OS -- including "more reliable remote server access, automatic router and firewall setting tools, and enhancements to synchronizing features" -- but we know all too well how hard patience is to come by.
First photos of Fujitsu-Siemens' Scaleo Home Server
Fujitsu-Siemens is supposed to debut the Scaleo, its first entry in the Windows Home Server market, later this week at IFA, but this press shot -- the first non-renders we've seen -- have surfaced a bit early, along with some more specs. The Scaleo will feature 4 internal drive bays, four USB 2 ports, two eSATA ports, "always-available" operation as opposed to being always-on, and silent operation. No word on that rumored two-drive RAID array or that 50W power consumption, but we'll know more when we get our hands on one at the conference.
HP's MediaSmart Home Servers get a release date
If you're keeping abreast of the Windows Home Server proceedings (and we suspect you are) then you're probably somewhat familiar with the HP EX470 / EX475. Furthermore, If you've been eyeing the two, drive-filled towers and been hoping to know when you might get your hands on them, you may be in luck. According to reports from retailers like Amazon and PCMall, the $599 EX470 (clocking in at 500GB) and and $749 EX475 (1TB) will begin shipping on September 15th. As you'll recall, the servers rock 1.8GHz AMD Semprons and contain four drive bays, plus tout four USB ports and one eSATA port -- for additional external expansion. As the supposed launch date for WHS draws ever nearer (or further... it's hard to tell) it's at least nice to know that we'll have some options when it does eventually land.[Via DailyTech, thanks Mark]
HP MediaSmart servers get priced?
Not a lot to go on here, but it looks like a couple sites leaked tentative pricing information for HP's first Windows Home Server machine, the MediaSmart Home Server. OnSale.com, PC Mall and Best Buy all listed the 1TB EX475 at $749, while the 500GB EX470 appears to be set at $599. Amazon also listed both models today sans pricing, so it looks like we'll have these in our hot little hands soon.Read - PC Mall cacheRead - Onsale.com cache[Via We Got Served]
No early release for Windows Home Server
Unfortunately for those hoping for an August 27th release for Windows Home Server, it won't be happening: this "general availability date" was actually referring to tech support for system builders. Hopefully peeps won't have to wait too long for the box, as it's still on track for its original September / October launch schedule. Until then, why not check out the announcement post, along with our gallery of the software in action.[Thanks, Arneh and Daniel S.]
Windows Home Server coming August 27th?
C'mon, don't act surprised -- it's not like you didn't know Windows Home Server was on the home stretch. Nevertheless, if a date prominently listed on Microsoft's own Support Lifecycle website is to be believed, WHS will be "generally available" on August 27, 2007, and it also lists the mainstream support retirement date as October 9, 2012. Of course, we wouldn't place our bets on pre-fabricated boxes to start shipping with the software on the 27th, but if you hunt hard enough, you're likely to find it in one channel or another. Circle the date folks, yet another new flavor of Windows is nearly here.[Via I Started Something]
Windows Home Server RC1 gets tested, reviewed
We know, you're perfectly capable of downloading the release candidate of Windows Home Server (or just waiting it out for the finalized version), but if you'd rather a stranger's machine be the test bed and suffer through those early adopter glitches, Terracode has done you the favor. In a fairly comprehensive review of WHS RC1, we're shown the relatively painless setup process, numerous advanced settings for automated backup, media sharing, and remote access, and even a glimpse into the DLNA streaming capabilities. While the overview took a very visual and numbers driven approach, it was derived that the Remote Desktop function wasn't exactly cut out for "intensive work," but overall, the software performed admirably and could very well be awarded a few extra gold stars if Microsoft irons out the sluggish kinks that were found. So, if you're still feeling anxious about pulling the trigger on trying this yourself, be sure and tag the read link to see what you're missing.
Velocity Micro Home Server based on Windows Home Server
Velocity Micro -- the crew that brought you many a tricked out rig and the first CableCARD Vista boxes sold -- is working on a product tentatively titled the Home Server based on, you guessed it, Windows Home Server. What we know is the Home Server can be oriented horizontally or vertically, use an Intel Conroe-like processor with DDR2 RAM, have SATA II (with NCQ), gigabit Ethernet, eSATA, and will launch at an "extremely competitive price". More as we get it.Update: Our bad, the Home Server's drive expansion box will launch Q108, but the server itself will launch when Windows Home Server is released. Also, zoomed-in pic after the break.
Microsoft releases Windows Home Server to manufacturing
If you've been itching to get your hands on a new flavor of Windows, or if you're just sick and tired of being teased by that release candidate, the wait for Microsoft's Windows Home Server is drawing to a close. Reportedly, the firm has released the software to manufacturing, where it should flow down and hit pre-fabricated boxes "in late September and early October." According to Joel Sider, senior product manager, the move to RTM means that the company has "wrapped up WHS and handed it off to its internal distribution teams and hardware partners." Additionally, Iomega and Fujitsu-Siemens were added to the list of OEM partners that already included HP, Gateway, LaCie, and Medion. Notably, there won't be a great many alterations in the final release compared to RC1, as the main change stated (aside from squashing a few stray bugs) was that the "domain for remote access is now homeserver.com." Hold tight folks, Windows Home Server will be coming your way soon, and the brigade will be led by HP's forthcoming MediaSmart Server.[Via ArsTechnica]
Fujitsu-Siemens Scaleo Home Server to arrive at IFA
Word on the street is that Fujitsu-Siemens is going to introduce its first entry into the not-so-crowded Windows Home Server market under the Scaleo brand at this year's IFA conference in late August. The Scaleo Home Server will feature headless operation under Vista Home Server, a two disk 500GB SATA RAID array, gigabit Ethernet, and Energy Star 4.0-compliant energy usage of just 50W. Price estimates are ranging from €500 ($690) to €700 ($965), and availability is hazily pegged at "by the end of the year" -- projections that match the awesome blurriness of this render.[Via We Got Served][Thanks, tip-star]
Microsoft touts Windows Home Server as cure for "digital amnesia"
We've seen plenty of medical conditions named after various products before, but it's not often we see a company go so far as to invent an ailment to help hype their latest wares. The practice seems to be getting slightly less uncommon though, with Microsoft now following Sprint's forays into "connectile dysfunction" with their own "digital amnesia" -- which, apparently, we are all suffering from. Of course, when you invent the disease, you also get to invent the cure, which in this case just happens to be Microsoft's own Windows Home Server. Unfortunately, you can't actually get it just yet (unless you want to play around with a release candidate), so you'll just have to suffer with your imaginary ailment for a little while longer.[Thanks, Reza]
