ReviewsReview of the ASUS TS Mini Windows Home Server

Review of the ASUS TS Mini Windows Home Server

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INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE TS MINI

Like all Windows Home Servers, the TS Mini comes with some installation media which you must run.

Installing the ASUS TS MiniInstalling the ASUS TS Mini

Installing the ASUS TS Mini

From this point on it’s the usual Windows Home Server installation procedure (screenshots included for those that like them):

Installing the ASUS TS MiniInstalling the ASUS TS Mini

Installing the ASUS TS MiniInstalling the ASUS TS Mini

Installing the ASUS TS MiniInstalling the ASUS TS Mini

Installing the ASUS TS MiniInstalling the ASUS TS Mini

Installing the ASUS TS MiniInstalling the ASUS TS Mini

Then we are ready to go!

Installing the ASUS TS Mini

USING THE TS MINI

Starting up the Windows Home Server Console reveals the usual look. Unlike some of the other Windows Home Servers on the market, the TS Mini doesn’t have it’s own special tab. The TS Mini comes preinstalled with Power Pack 3 which means there are not loads of updates that need to be pulled down and installed before you are ready to go.

WHS Console on the ASUS TS MiniWHS Console on the ASUS TS Mini

WHS Console on the ASUS TS MiniWHS Console on the ASUS TS Mini

WHS Console on the ASUS TS MiniWHS Console on the ASUS TS Mini

WHS Console on the ASUS TS MiniWHS Console on the ASUS TS Mini

Add-in wise, there are two add-ins which are installed and running by default, which I will cover next, and also Avast Antivirus is available to install if you so wish.

Andrew Edney
Andrew Edney
I am the owner and editor of this site. I have been interested in gadgets and tech since I was a little kid. I have also written a number of books on various tech subjects. I also blogged for The Huffington Post and for FHM. And I am honoured to have been a Microsoft MVP since January 2008, including as an Xbox MVP until 2023.

19 COMMENTS

    • thanks Greg

      Yeah, it's a really nice little machine and so far I am really pleased with it.

      Andrew

  1. 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 ?

    • 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

  2. 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.

    • 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

  3. 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

    • 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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

    • 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

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