It looks like HP has begun rolling out the new add-ins to their EX470 Windows Home Server systems. My system just notified me about 25 minutes ago that two new add-ins were ready to be installed on my EX470:

Just in case you can’t see the image above, the two add-ins are as follows:

• PVConnect MediaServer for HP MediaSmart - easily share your media among all connected devices.
• McAfee Total Protection Service - automatically protect your home server from the latest virus and spyware threats

To install these add-ins, one has to go to the Add-ins section of the Windows Home Server Settings and then click on the “Available” tab. You’ll see the following:

Of the two add-ins, the McAfee add-in definitely appears to be the most valuable addition to HP EX470 Windows Home Server. There’s nothing like free anti-virus protection for the server if you ask me!

It’s not clear when HP will roll out Power Pack 1 for their MediaSmart servers but I think I’ll probably go ahead and download it directly from Microsoft.

Technorati Tags: HP, EX470 MediaSmart, Windows Home Server, Add-ins, Power Pack 1

Heads up Windows Home Server users out there - the Windows Home Server Team has announced that the anticipated Power Pack 1 update has finally been released to manufacturing (RTM). Power Pack 1 is now available via the Microsoft Download Center and will become available via Windows Update sometime in August.  OEM partners selling Windows Home Server systems will update their systems with Power Pack 1 over the coming weeks. HP EX470/475 owners can expect the update soon along with additional enhancements such as enhanced media streaming capabilities from PacketVideo, server-side anti-virus from McAfee, and compatibility with 64 bit home PCs.

General updates and features found in Power Pack 1 include support for PCs running Windows Vista 64 bit OS’s, backup of home server Shared Folders, remote access improvements, more efficient power consumption, and overall better performance. Yes, that infamous data corruption bug is also fixed.

Finally, Microsoft has also updated the Windows Home Server software development kit (SDK) for Power Pack 1.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Windows Home Server, Power Pack 1

For all you Windows Home Server folks out there - a couple of interesting tidbits. First off - know that  the Windows Home Server team is now running a public beta of Power Pack 1 for Windows Home Server. Folks trying out the public beta are from the original beta testers for Windows Home Server and yes the public beta does include the file corruption fix. No word on when exactly the public beta will be released into actual release code but I’m sure it’ll be relatively soon.

The second tidbit - if you’re an owner of an HP MediaSmart Server, then you’ll be interested to know that Microsoft and HP are planning to hold a series of webcasts (webinars) on how to do more with the HP MediaSmart Server. Topics will range from how to extend the Windows Home Server with Add-ins, to digital photography, and to mobile warriors. The first webinar will take place on June 25th and will feature special guest star Terry Walsh of “We Got Served!”. Check out http://www.windows.com/hpmediasmartwebinar for more information.

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HP is introducing what it calls the world’s first blade server designed for 24/7 “mission critical computing” in the form of the HP Integrity NonStop NB50000c BladeSystem. According to HP, the NB50000c combines the high availability of the HP Integrity NonStop with the efficiencies of the HP BladeSystem. Features and benefits of the new HP NB50000c include:

• Roughly double the processing power in half the physical footprint thanks to multi-core technology and HP BladeSystem
• Reduced administrative costs with enhanced system management including Integrated Lights-Out 2 (iLO 2), HP Systems Insight Manager, and the Onboard Administrator for HP BladeSystem
• 24/7 fault-tolerant software

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP Integrity NonStop NB50000c BladeSystem

While I’m still working on my review of the HP MediaSmart EX470 Windows Home Server box, I just had to post this picture of our puppy next to the server. Yes.. that’s our puppy and yes.. that’s the EX470 right next to it. How cute is that eh?? Happy Friday to all of you!

Technorati Tags: Puppy, HP MediaSmart EX470

Looking to help businesses pack more computing power into today’s datacenter infrastructures, HP has announced their new HP ProLiant BL2×220c G5 blade system - the world’s first two-in-one server blade. Yup - that’s right, HP has combined two independent servers into a single blade form factor - allowing businesses to double their computing capacity without adding more physical space. According to HP, the ProLiant BL2×220c G5 delivers 60 percent better performance per watt than similar configurations available in the market while minimizing cooling and power costs.

Specs include:

• Up to two Intel Xeon 5400 Series Quad Core CPUs or Intel Xeon 5200 Series Dual Core CPUs per server node
• Dual gigabit Ethernet NICs
• HP Virtual Connect
• Up to 16GB of PC5200 DDR2 Memory per server node, 4GB standard

Prices for the HP ProLiant BL2×220c G5 start at $6349 with the systems available now.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP ProLiant BL2x220c G5

HP showed off the HP EX470/EX475 MediaSmart Server at CES 2008 and announced three new enhancements which will become available in February. These enhancements include:

• Integrated server-side anti-virus software from McAfee for added security both at home and remotely
• Improved media streaming to DMA devices through Packet Video for enhanced experiences such as thumbnail photos and album art
• Support for Microsoft Windows Vista 64 bit OS

For those of you unfamiliar with the MediaSmart Server, this is basically HP’s implementation of the Windows Home Server platform. You can do the following:

• Centrally store and backup all of your files
• Share digital media with other Windows systems on your network
• Automatically backup and protect Windows systems on your network
• 500GB or 1TB capacities
• Powered by AMD Live! 64 bit Sempron processor
• Four internal hard drive bays
• Four USB 2.0 ports
• One eSATA port
• $599 for the 500GB model
• $749 for the 1TB model

Technorati Tags: HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475, Windows Home Server, CES 2008

Escient announced on Wednesday that their upcoming Vision Series Media Management product line will begin shipping in February of 2008. The new Vision Series includes the following products - the VS-100 and VS-200 which are two versions of an all-in-one server/media player system; the VC-1 networked audio/video zone player; and the VX-600 media server system. All the Vision Series products provide consumers with the ability to manage, access, and enjoy movies and music throughout the home via a simple intuitive user interface.

The best way to look at the Vision Series product line is as follows. The VS-100 and VS-200 are all purpose media player/server systems capable of storing, serving, and playing back multimedia (movies, music, photos) content to displays or other networked players. The VC-1 is a networked player which streams content from the Vision servers such as the VS-100/200 and the VX-600. You can deploy multiple VC-1 systems around the home to stream content all over from a central repository. If your storage needs are great, then you opt for the VX-600 which comes with lots of disk space.

Common features of the new Escient 5th generation Vision Series products include:

• All new high definition Escient user interface
• HDMI 1.3 capability and video upscaling to 1080p (for VS-100, VS-200, and VC-1)
• External control capability via Ethernet (for VS-100, VS-200, and VC-1)

Let’s quickly go over the details of the individual products within the Vision Series.

VS-100 and VS-200 Media Server/Player:

• VS-100 comes with dual 500GB drives while the VS-200 provides dual 1TB drives - both feature RAID 1 redundancy
• Plays CDs/DVDs
• Imports Music/Movies
• Automatic disc recognition
• HD user interface
• Stores digital video, audio, and photos on internal hard drive
• External changer support for encrypted DVDs (and CDs)
• Rhapsody Unlimited Music Service
• Steams audio and video to Vision VC-1 networked clients
• HDMI 1.3 In/Out
• Gigabit Ethernet
• USB mouse and keyboard support

VC-1 Media Zone Player

• Networked audio/video player with ability to stream audio and video from Vision servers allowing playback of multimedia content from any room of the home
• Plays DVDs/CDs
• Imports music/movies to VS and VX servers
• Automatic disc recognition
• HD user interface
• Rhapsody Unlimited Music Service
• 1080p video upscaling
• HDMI 1.3
• Gigabit Ethernet
• USB Mouse and Keyboard support

VX-600 Media Server

• Large capacity media server features four 1TB drives in RAID 5 configuration
• Advanced early detection monitoring systems for reliable installations in any networked home
• Expandable network storage for multimedia content
• Delivers simultaneous A/V streams for VS and VC clients
• CIFS file sharing
• Built in rack mount ears
• Hot swapable drives
• Built-in web interface for remote administration and monitoring

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Escient, Vision Series, VS-100, VS-200, VC-1, VX-600

Hush Technologies is now selling a Windows Home Server based product called the HUSH HS1 Home Server and Storage system. Similar in design to other Hush computer systems, the HS1 is the first fan-less Hush Server product for the home. With the HS1, you’ll be able to centrally store and access all of your family data - everything from music to photos to documents to videos.

I’ve always been a fan of Hush Technologies systems - especially the ones designed for Home Theater PC usage. Let’s face it - these systems don’t look like computers at all - rather they look like standard A/V components.

Features of the Hush HS1 Home Server include the following:

• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• RAID controller with support for RAID 0/1
• High quality aluminum case available in silver or black
• Measures 430 x 342 x 74 mm
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 2×250GB RAID1 up to 2×1TB RAID 1
• Windows Home Server with 10 client license

The price for the above system (500GB of HDD space) is $1329.88.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Hush Technologies, HS1 Home Server, Windows Home Server

AMD announced that a “technical irregularity” or “errata” has delayed widespread availability for their Barcelona line of CPUs designed for the server market until early next year. Barcelona CPUs began shipping in September to some customers out there and are still available to “specific customers” from AMD. Current owners of Barcelona server CPUs will be given a workaround from AMD until a new version is made available in January of 2008. The glitch in the CPU could in rare instances cause the chip itself to fail. This glitch also affects the new AMD Phenom line of CPUs but a workaround was already issued before the product was shipped.

This production glitch probably won’t have a major impact on AMD since they have larger issues to resolve - such as improving the performance of the new Phenom line of processors to compete effectively against the Intel line of processors.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AMD, Barcelona, delays