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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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

Some not-so-great news for Windows Home Server fans. It appears that Home Server is still suffering from the same data corruption bug that appeared several months ago. Originally, the problem appeared to be fairly small in nature but as the weeks and months have come and gone, it clearly was much larger than expected. If you look at the Microsoft support page for this bug, the list of applications affected by this problem has been growing larger and larger. At least Microsoft appears to know what  the cause is as the page states:

“This issue may occur because of a recently discovered problem with Windows Home Server shared folders and with certain programs.”

Another interesting piece of information - this problem apparently only affects Windows Home Server systems that have more than one hard disk drive added to the server storage. Ahh.. certainly sounds like a problem with the way files are mirrored across multiple drives (assuming one has set up Home Server to replicate content that way). Then again, the problem could also arise from just having multiple drives be “seen” as a single volume. What do I know?

One thing is for sure.. if Microsoft intends on making Home Server an integral part of a digital living room, they need to isolate and fix this problem right away. I love what the company has to say about this bug:

“Before you store files on a system that is running Windows Home Server, make sure that you have a backup copy of any important program files.”

If I remember correctly, Home Server is how we’re supposed to back up our content and data no? haha ok.. to their credit, Microsoft is referring to the Windows Home Server backup process but I still found the comment humorous.

[Check it out via Daily Tech]

Technorati Tags: Windows Home Server, Data Corruption bug, Microsoft

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

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

The folks at ExtremeTech have published an article on how to “Build a Windows Home Server” here on their website. I wrote a short article about building my own WHS over the summer (based on the release candidate of WHS). I’ve shelved my WHS articles for now only because I’m looking to build a new small server box (or possibly retrofitting a cheap commercial box) but in the meantime, make sure to give the ExtremeTech a read over. If you run a Microsoft-centric network at home, WHS is particularly useful for delivering and backing up data.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ExtremeTech, Windows Home Server

While Windows Home Server reached RTM many months ago, Microsoft has finally announced that the new system is “generally available” as of November 4th. So what does it mean to be generally available? Well it means you’ll find some products now and many more products down the road. Companies that offer Windows Home Server products now include the Tranquil PC T7-HSA Tranquil Harmony Home Server and the Velocity Micro NetMagix Home Server. However, the most notable name in the Home Server market, HP, has yet to introduce their MediaSmart Server. Many online retailers are already taking pre-orders for the new AMD powered MediaSmart Server. According to Microsoft’s press release, the new MediaSmart Server will be shipped to customers later this month.

MediaSmart will be available in two versions - a 500GB version for $599 and a 1TB version for $749. Other companies due to come out with products include:

• Fujitsu Siemens with the SCALEO Home Server 1900
• Iomega with their HomeCenter Server which includes a 500GB HDD and four easy-swap drive bays
• Life|ware Life|storage
• MAXDATA Belinea o.center
• Medion Home Server with up to 2TB of storage

If you’re not in the mood to purchase a pre-built system, you can always roll your own Windows Home Server as the OEM version of the OS is now available for purchase at many online software retailers such as Newegg. Finally, Microsoft announced that more than 35 add-in programs have been created for the Windows Home Server platform. Solutions cover areas such as personal blogging, media sharing, home security, home automation, virus protection, and malware protection.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Windows Home Server, Microsoft, HP, MediaSmart Server,

CNET’s Crave is reporting that Velocity Micro will be entering the market for Windows Home Server products this fall. According to Velocity Micro, their Home Server product will come in various configurations but will all feature a Conroe-based processor and a high end chipset to account for future expansion and growth possibilities.

Other interesting tidbits about the Velocity Micro Home Server product line:

• Feet come off which allows the product to be oriented vertically or horizontally
• Likely to cost less than $1000
• Unclear whether the box will be sold at Best Buy

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Velocity Micro, Windows Home Server