Review of the ASUS TS Mini Windows Home Server

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Earlier in the week I received an ASUS TS Mini Windows Home Server. Well, several days on I figured it was time to post the review.

This is the first Windows Home Server that ASUS have released, and it is slowly appearing for sale around the world. I have also been told by ASUS that they are looking at releasing more Home Server’s in the future.

WHATS IN THE BOX?

The box contains all the usual things you would expect to find….

TS Mini

Quick start guide

User manual

AC adapter

Power cord

RJ45 LAN cable

HDD screws package

Software installation CD

Recovery CD

Restore CD

Warranty card

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Atom Processor N280 1.66GHz

Memory: 1GB or 2GB DDR2-800

Hard Drive Storage: 500GB or 2TB @ 7200rpm (2x 1TB)

Cloud Storage: 500GB ASUS WebStorage

Networking: 1x 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) RJ45 LAN

Interfaces: 6x USB 2.0, 2x eSATA, 1x Kensington Lock

Buttons: Power on/off button, Recovery button

LED Indicators: System, HDD1, HDD2, Network status indicators

AC Power Adapter (Watt): Output: 19V, 90W, Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz universal

Dimensions: 9.6 (H) x 3.8 (W) x 8 (D) inches

Approximate Weight: 8.58 lbs.

Operation Noise: 28 dBa (near silent)

Operating System: Powered by Microsoft Windows Home Server

Color: Piano Black

The front panel also contains 4 icons and lights which make it easy to see activity (certainly much easier than having those lights at the back of the server!)

Here is information on the CPU:

19 COMMENTS

AJ Peck Apr 4, 2010 At 1:57 pm

Thanks for the review? Are the eSata ports multiplier-aware?
AJ Peck Apr 4, 2010 At 1:59 pm

Er, ignore that first question mark. Too early in the morning. 😆
Andrew Edney Apr 4, 2010 At 3:22 pm

Hi AJ

Yes, they are.

Andrew
welchwerks Apr 4, 2010 At 3:42 pm

This unit has 2 esata so connecting to an 8 bay unit like the one below would be a snap as it uses 1 esate for each set of 4 bays. i have had my eye on this since CES 2010

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp…
- Andrew Edney Apr 4, 2010 At 3:44 pm
  
  thanks Greg
  
  Yeah, it's a really nice little machine and so far I am really pleased with it.
  
  Andrew
Diehard Apr 4, 2010 At 6:57 pm

Thanks for the dedication, Andrew. Much appreciated.

AJ are you following me around ? 😉

As for the port multiplier, does each port see 4 or 5 drives ?

How would you compare ASUS's Xtor addin to the built in Share Backup Tab ?

You mentioned Avast, Does that mean it comes with a free license ? Is it a true addin or a RDC install ?

Thanks for the great review. ASUS just 1 upped the HP LX195/7, but price wise I feel getting the EX49x is a better deal. No excuse for HP not to include 2 esata on the next model.

What about Server Recovery ? Is there a reset pin like on the HP EX models ?
- Andrew Edney Apr 5, 2010 At 4:57 pm
  
  Hey John
  
  To answer your questions:
  
  It should be able to see whatever you plug in.
  
  The Xtor add in is much better and does a lot more.
  
  I didnt install Avast, but it appears in the Available Add-ins tab so I would hope it would install through that. I think its a trial, although I could be wrong.
  
  There is a recovery button on the rear of the unit.
  
  Andrew
AR Nov 15, 2010 At 3:16 pm

Hi,

I bought this Device few days back,after receiving it, I tried to set it up for my Home Network. But Whenever I run the Installation CD, it is able to find my TS Mini Server. But after that it just says not able to run the installation at this. Please try again later.Then I thought it could be my Firewall. But I tried after turning off my firewall. No Luck. Customer Support were also of no help. I dont know much about networking. So can you please help.
- Andrew Edney Nov 15, 2010 At 7:26 pm
  
  Have you tried running the installation from a another computer?
  
  Or have you tried running the installation with the computer connected directly to the server?
  
  If these dont work, why not post a question in our forums as someone might be able to help.
  
  Andrew
Savan Jan 11, 2011 At 4:34 pm

Hi there,

Quick question regarding this home server.

Once it is all set up on a simple ethernet and wireless network, can you make mapped network drives of specific folders on the server, so that they come up as network drives on my computer?

Also is there a feature to back up the data to both the web at a certain time in the day and to back up the data to an external hard drive at a certain time in the day?

Thanks in Advance,

Sav
- Andrew Edney Jan 12, 2011 At 8:04 pm
  
  Hi Sav
  
  Yes, you can map a drive to any shared folder on your WHS just as you would normally do.
  
  As for backing up to the web, you would need to add one of the many available add-ins for WHS, for example, CloudBerry Backup for WHS to do this. To learn more about that click the link on the top right of the page.
  
  Andrew
laly003 Jan 13, 2011 At 5:10 am

The links for the subsequent pages of your review are not working. When I click on any of the other pages it brings back page 1. I'm considering purchasing this and am very interested in reading your review. Can you please fix this? Thanks.
- Andrew Edney Jan 13, 2011 At 2:57 pm
  
  All fixed now – was a minor hosting problem.
  
  Andrew
Savan Jan 13, 2011 At 9:53 am

Thanks for your help Andrew, much appreciated.

Where is the cheapest and best place to get one for UK delievery?

Also what is the reasoning behind the usernames in the TS Mini? – Does this allow only that username to access certain files on the TS?

And one more question, can i backup a certain folder to an external hard drive at lets say 6pm, then unplug the hard drive, take it home, bring it back the next day and it will automatically backup again at 6pm? – therefore I have a means of taking my data offsite?

Thanks for your help again,

Sav
- Andrew Edney Jan 13, 2011 At 2:57 pm
  
  Hi Savan
  
  Not sure where to get them now as they are a little "old" – just do a search on Google I would suggest.
  
  Each user has their own username which you create on WHS. You can set it up so that certain folders only allow certain users access.
  
  You can set a backup schedule – although you can be specific as to the exact time it will start – if you want an exact time just do a manual backup.
  
  Andrew