Windows Home Server

[neonplanet40]

Hey guys have just bought and installed windows home server on this new system i built

Core 2 Duo 2.2Ghz
2Gig ram
Abit mobo
Radeon HD 2400 etc

I have got it connected to my main machine and have backed up a 500GB hard drive. But my question is how do i save files to the server so as to stream them over it?

For example on that 500GB hard drive i backed up there was a lot of music and video files. How do i access them to stream them over the network? Or do i have to save them a different way?

I have ordered a book which is a guide to windows home server as i think it will be handy to have to see what the software can really do.

Thanks for your help guys. Its my first server so i have alot to learn.

Mark

[peterb]

You need an application that will stream the data - I don't know if that is built into home server or not.

Some details here

Microsoft Windows Media - Web Server vs. Streaming Server

But basically the files are the same - it is the method of delivery that is different.

[Splash]

Does help? It seems to be a pretty step-by-step guide (I *still* haven't built my WHS box so I can't comment on the setup other than based on what that guide says) - you need to turn on a media streaming functionality on your WHS console, then you use Windows Media Connect from the client machine to stream the data.

[neonplanet40]

How do you access the files though? It was saved as a backup on the WHS. So i cant actually see any of the files other than it telling me there is a backup of Drive K: :S

It doesnt give you a list of what was in the backup. Or at least not that i can see so far.

Mark

[peterb]

Did you use backup software, wghich may have compressed the backed up files into some form of archive) or were they just copied to the WHS in their native form? If the former, then you won't see them, they need to be in there native format.

[neonplanet40]

I just used windows home servers backup utility. I dont know how to copy them to the server in their native form. How you do that? lol

Thanks peterb i think you've been with me from the start of this before i even decided to make my own server

Cheers

Mark

[Splash]

What peterb said - you need to put the files on your home drive (and not in the compressed backup)

[peterb]

Yes indeed - goes back a while!

Well, I'm not at all familiar with home server, but as a general principle, set up a shared directory on the server box. The permisions need to be readable by all, then when you connect to the server, you can map thye shared drive to a virtual drive on your client machine and just copy the file over. (Drag and drop)

If you want do have private shared drives, read and writeable by one person only, then you can probably do that too, but you may have to set up accounts on the home server - but that is way outside my knowledge (Could tell you how to do it in Linux though! )

Might be worth waiting until the book arrives though - then you can really get it rocking!

Out of interest, what are you using as a client? I think (but quite prepared to be corrected) that Home server will act as a domain controller, but XP home edition will not connect to a domain - you need premium for that. Not sure what the position is with Vista.

Not that that matters too much - you can still effectively use it in a workgroup, with the home server box 'just' another machine in the peer to peer network that contains the shared filestore.

[menthel]

It should connect with any XP or Vista as long as you have installed the client from the disk that you make/get with the home server O/S.

You then admin through that client on your usual computer rather than directly with the server.

This should allow you to access your files on the server.

You will have to put your music etc on the server as the backups of your main computer are compressed and organised in a special way so that they will not be readable, just recoverable.

At least that's how I understand it.

Home server is not really like a normal server as such, it is pared down to allow home use and easy maintainance by users with minimal knowledge. Perhaps you are looking too deep!

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for that guys. Yea well i get the book tomorrow so can read up in it but i see what you mean. My main computer is on Windows Xp Pro and the software i use is the one that comes with WHS and it is called Windows Home Server Connecter.

Im looking to get a new router as my netgear one i got free from BT is pants. You know any good ones? Id also like it to have the new draft n wireless as its suppost to be faster and have a greater range?

This server for me is basically a whole new learning experience and while it frustrates me to pieces sometimes i very much reccomend the software. I got the oem software for £95 i think it was and im very pleased.

They say you learn something new everyday, at the minute im learning muliple new things everyday! Pity i didnt take the same interest to my course in uni

Thanks guys

Mark

[neonplanet40]

Just out of curiosity if anyone knows, when copying files over to the shared directory would it stop muliple files being copied over? I doubt it would but would be nice to know

Thanks again guys

Mark

[Splash]

I see no reason why it would

[Splash]

WHS only works in a workgroup configuration, there is no domain support so XP Home is equally as happy as Vista Ultimate. I believe the idea behind the streaming is to allow anyone on the network access (ie it's not using ACLs) as they make a big thing in the PDF I linked to about securing your wireless network before enabling media streaming.

[neonplanet40]

Its just that the autobackup stops mulitple files being copied. Was hoping the rest would be the same

Thanks

Mark

[Splash]

That's because Autobackup is compressing (and possibly encrypting) each file into an archive when backing up, I suppose.

[neonplanet40]

Thanks splash and again sorry for the noob questions

I will do a review when i get it all going smoothly.