HP Home Server
The HP Home Server is a small server explicitly targeting the
home market, but the small business owner can benefit greatly from
this little box as well. It runs a version of Microsoft Windows
called Windows Home Server, which is derived from Windows Small
Business Server 2003. The box has no keyboard, no mouse, and no
monitor. It connects directly to your network via a standard network
cable, and is administered from any PC on the network. It provides
a host of features including video, photo, music, and file sharing,
remote access and iTunes integration, but by far its best feature
is the ability to completely backup all PCs on your network - files,
programs, documents, folders, settings, Windows itself - EVERYTHING.
The model EX485 (released 3/09) also supports Mac Backup.
The server automatically performs a nightly backup of all computers
(up to 10) on your network. Restoring a computer due to a dead hard
drive is almost trivial :
- Install a new hard drive
- Boot the computer with the "PC Recovery disc" included
with the server
- Answer a few questions
- Sit back & watch
The restoration process connects to the HP Home Server, and downloads
the restoration data onto the new hard drive. In about an hour or
two, your computer will be completely restored - all files, folders,
programs, settings - everything. This is one of the best & simplest
backup procedures I have ever used.
The box includes a license for up to 10 computers. For more than
that a small business server running Windows Server 2003 is recommended.
The EX485 model comes with 2GB of memory and a single 750Gb hard
drive , but is expandable to 4 hard drives - Installation takes
all of 2 minutes. There are 4 slotted drive bays easily accessible
from the front - open the door, slide out a tray, slip a new hard
drive in, insert the tray, close the door, and power up the server.
The administration panel automatically sees the new drive, asks
a few simple questions, and in no time, you can more storage than
you'll know what to do with. 4 USB ports and 1 eSata port are also
included for additional external storage.
There's a wealth of information on the web about this small server
- Searching for "HP Home Server" will give you information
more than you could possibly need.
Update 3/09
CyberPowerPC has released its own version of a home server has
of March 2009. Details are here : http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Windows_Home_Server_100/
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