My friend and fellow MVP Tim Barrett has just posted a really interesting article on his blog, NoGeekLeftBehind.com about upgrading from WHS V1 to WHS 2011 and reducing his power requirements – definitely worth a read.
And my god Tim, I love the amount of monitors you have – Tim will be jealous!
If you have been using the fantastic My Movies for Windows Media Center version 4, then there is an update, well actually two updates. They are pre-release updates that fix a number of bugs and add some new functionality.
Here is what is included in PR 2 (and PR1):
My Movies for Windows Media Center and My Movies Collection Management 4.01 Pre Release 2
Fix: TV Episode listings could be blank due to an invalid SQL sentence.
Fix: SaveTV properties file included an incorrect running time.
My Movies for Windows Media Center and My Movies Collection Management 4.01 Pre Release 1
Added: Ctrl+W and remote “Clear” button now toggles an elements watch status when clicked in lists.
Added: Small and Transparent icon styles.
Added: “By episode added date” sorting added.
Added: Resume functionalities for movies, including VIDEO_TS folders.Fix: Some TV Series on the Dune’s did not play.
Fix: An invalid genre could cause a crash.
Fix: minor error when editing profile pictures.
Fix: Minor adjustments due to incoming crash logs.
Fix: Bug when adding a new TV series without a language specific title and showing it in the title list.
Fix: Print report did not include nodes in series/box sets.
Fix: Null pointer error when trying to get the name of an episode without a name.
Fix: If a title somehow got an empty title, the Dune index could get destroyed by it.
Fix: error in FolderMonitoring when handling queue with directories that has been updated.
Fix: Update of all persons didn’t update the date for when the person was last updated.
Fix: Update of TV Series is now done one series at a time, to avoid freeze of progress.
Fix: Decades on Dune meta-data storage could include titles from wrong production years.Change: Debug disabled by default.
Change: Overlay icons changed to match profile.
Change: Last added now sorts by “Episode added date” instead of added date for TV Series and Seasons.
Change: Watched icon on lists are now also configurable.
Change: Watched icon on lists are now also configurable.Update: MediaInfo.dll files
Make sure you read this first:
[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Before installing a pre release version, you must make a backup of your database using the Collection Management program. There are no guarantee that a pre release version functions as expected, and it should therefore only be used for evaluation purposes. The database backup ensures that you can revert back to the latest stable version. My Movies 4.01 Pre Release 2 can be used as client for My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.0 Pre Release 5.[/box]
I’m installing 4.01 PR2 right now!
What do you think of My Movies?
Anthony Smith, Technical Director—Division-M, has responded to our request for comment on Andrew’s announcement that Tranquil is using DriveBender rather than DriveHarmony.
To recap, Tranquil has announced that they have dropped DriveHarmony from DataCore in favor of DriveBender in their upcoming Leo HS4 and Leo SS4 servers. I asked DriveBender for their comment and this is what they sent me today:
Yes, we are very excited about the Tranquil PC partnership. Although I can’t comment in detail on the DataCore product, I can say that for WHS users the DataCore solution is not seen so much as a DE replacement, but instead as another RAID solution. Our view is that if a user wanted RAID (hardware or software), they would implement this independent of WHS. In the early days we looked at a RAID style implementation, but felt it didn’t fit with the Drive Extender style product we had in mind. Given the level on interest in beta 3 it would appear that others share this same view.
Cheers,
Anthony Smith
Technical Director – Division-M
Thanks, Anthony.
I’ve asked DataCore for their comment as well and will bring that to you as soon as we can.
In the end analysis, I intend to evaluate all three options: DriveBender, DriveHarmony and StableBit DrivePool before I decide. How about you?
Today we talked about beta 3 of DriveBender for Windows Home Server 2011, and now we can reveal that Tranquil PC will be using DriveBender with its Leo HS4 and Leo SS4 servers instead of DriveHarmony from DataCore.
Originally Tranquil were planning on shipping their servers with the DataCore DriveHarmony product, however this has now changed.
This is what Tranquil told us:
DataCore, of Florida, have an innovative solution for Home Servers 2011. They have expert knowledge in virtualised disk management. DriveHarmony has been tested by Tranquil. The Add In runs a sort of ‘soft RAID’. Adding HDDs to the ‘pool’ is straight forward (except that the first HDD can’t be used at all). Choosing to build a ‘protected’ pool means the use of ‘paired’ HDDs. Remembering that HDD1 (incl the OS partition) can’t be included in the ‘pool’ or a ‘protected pool’, sadly forced our engineers to look further.
So now they are looking at DriveBender:
The specialised ‘driver’ company in Australia have also been working hard to develop a data / disk management system. As they do not have the heavy legacy of the two previous companies they, like Tranquil, can bring new concepts to the table, and put in huge efforts to complete designs. Sometimes a fast, lean organisation is needed to listen and implement the needs of it’s customers (quickly).
As the company is ‘aligned’ to Home Server, they understand the need of the customer “a product as near to, and as good as the original Drive Extender”.
Another important function is the ability for HDDs in a protected or unprotected pool to be able to be read ‘outside’ of the server (ie on a PC). DB uses standard NTFS systems, which ensures that Data can be easily recovered, from a single HDD (Data Transit).
The product (now at Beta3) is nearing it’s pre-production phase, and is looking very good. Performance is also very good. In it’s final version the product will be very much like DE – simply adding mixed sizes of HDDs to a pool, and then determining which ‘folders’ should be protected. It may not have the complex virtualisation functions behind the scenes that DriveHarmony may ultimately offer, or the simple hardware RAID that the Intel RST may have on specific hardware platforms – but as far as we can see – it will deliver the best ‘all round’ package – Performance, Reliability, Data Transit.
Current plans are that Tranquil will work further with DriveBender, towards a customised version of the Add In for Leo HS4 and Leo SS4 Servers.
So, it looks like DriveBender has become the add-in of choice for Tranquil.
Jim from electrongoo tells me that they have released an updated versions of their add-in Snoop-De-Dupe.
Snoop-De-Dupe is now at version 1.20. The latest updates for this application, according the the release notes, are:
- Added support for Windows Home Server 2011 and Windows Small Business Server 2011
- Added CPU usage throttling
- Added hard disk write access limiting
- Added worker thread prioritizing
- Added support for hard-links (WHS/SBS 2011 only)
- Installer now signed with class-3 Authenticode certificate
- Minor bug fixes
As we told you in the Integrity Checker update, addition of the class-3 certificate is the result of feedback from our readers. Keep the feedback coming! The developers do listen.
Snoop-De-Dupe is an application to help manage duplicate files on your Windows Home Server. I am almost done reviewing the prior version, so I’ll update the test box and complete that review soon.
The developer’s summary for what Snoop-De-Dupe does is:
Keep your server’s storage space optimized! Snoop-de-dupe will automatically scan your server storage and display duplicate files in an easy-to-view layout directly within the server’s user Console. Once snoop-de-dupe locates duplicate files then you can respond to them as you choose. You can delete the duplicate files, ignore/keep the duplicate files, or replace the duplicate files with a hard-link (available in WHS/SBS 2011 only). You will be in command of your server storage space like never before!
If you have the earlier version, go grab your update. If you are curious, check it out!
Snoop-De-Dupe Snoop-De-Dupe Developer Interview electrongoo
Jim from electrongoo tells me that they have released an updated version of their add-in Integrity Checker.
Integrity Checker is now at version 1.22. The change log includes:
- Added CPU usage throttling
- Added hard disk write access limiting
- Added worker thread prioritizing
- Installer now signed with class-3 Authenticode certificate
The last item, an installed signer, was added explicitly due to feedback from UsingWindowsHomeServer.Com readers posting comments and the developer wanted to expressly thank our readers for calling that to their attention.
Integrity Checker is a useful utility to managing changed files on your homeserver. I have a video review almost finished here, and that will be published soon. Short story: it does exactly what the developers say it does, which is:
In this digital age, data originates from many paths and numerous devices. With your server at the heart of your data, it’s necessary for you to guarantee integrity. Integrity Checker runs on your Windows Server; quietly, efficiently, and automatically watching for new data. As data is detected, Integrity Checker automatically generates hash-stamps to guarantee the integrity of your data.
Integrity Checker supports Windows Home Server, Windows Home Server 2011, and Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials. See our FAQ and How To pages for details on how Integrity Checker can work for you.
Check it out!
Integrity Checker electrongoo Our Integrity Checker Developer Interview
Dave and the guys have just released the Home Server Show episode 136.
Here’s what Dave says about this weeks show:
Pull back the curtains, turn up the lights, WHS is on the store shelves! Dave, John, and Jim talk news, updates, and about Windows Home Server 2011 pricing. We also go over a home build server for 2011 and Jim’s server requirements. The meetup is scheduled for June 25th as well.
As usual you can download the show from here.
One of the promises of Windows Home Server 2011 was the ability to backup your Mac to WHS 2011. Unfortunately that functionality wasn’t provided out of the box. There were hacks and workarounds to get it running, but Orbital Technologies have produced an add-in to get it to work.
Orbital have worked very closely with Microsoft to produce this add-in, and we have been using a beta all week and we can now share with you a preview.
From their website:
Orbital provides expert software development services to many of the world’s top software companies. We are a software outsourcing partner of choice for development on Windows, Mac, UNIX, Linux and many mobile device platforms.
Leveraging our expert development team, we design and develop a wide range of commercial-grade software products for many of the world’s foremost software companies, such as Adobe, Microsoft and others.
We specialize in developing innovative software for other software and technology companies, working as an outsourced extension of our clients’ in-house development teams. We have a vast technical skillset and extensive experience developing custom software solutions across a range of platforms and technologies, including Windows, Mac, UNIX, Linux, .Net, J2EE, J2SE, J2ME, Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), Android, Windows Phone, Palm webOS, Symbian OS and other mobile embedded systems.
We provide solutions to extremely complex software problems that others cannot solve. We connect with our clients by understanding their needs and supporting them during the entire lifespan of a product. We believe that anything is possible and work with our clients to help them achieve their software objectives.
Installing this add-in is no different to installing any other add-in with Windows Home Server 2011. You just start the install and follow the steps.
If you already have the WHS 2011 Mac Connector installed on your Mac, then you will see a message telling you that an update is available, just click the button to update. If you haven’t yet installed the connector, now is the time to do so.
We have talked about Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials (codename Breckenridge) previously. Today Tranquil PC have announced their Leo SS4 Server powered by Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials.
As usual with Tranquil there are a number of upgrade options, and also a £75 pro-order discount offered.
Here is what Tranquil said:
Improve Small Business File and Data Management with Windows® Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials
Get a centralized location for file services with simplified deployment and easier management for an environment of up to 25 computers. Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 is a network attached storage appliance that builds upon an optimized release of the Windows Server® 2008 R2 operating system. A key member of the Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 family, Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials is the ideal storage server solution to help home-based and small business owners keep important data automatically backed up, protected, organized, and accessible from virtually anywhere.
Better Protection for Important Business Information
Help to make sure your data stays safe and protected by scheduling convenient automatic daily backups for your server and PCs. Easy-to-use restore features make it quick and simple to retrieve and restore files in the event of a disaster or hard drive crash.
Grow Your Storage as Your Business Grows
Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials lets you effortlessly grow your storage requirements by adding hard drives as you need. Drive configuration is automatic and flexible and can be changed over time to meet the organizations requirements.
Simplify Deployment and Management
Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials is deployed in an appliance form-factor with preconfigured hardware and software requirements, vastly simplifying the deployment and management tasks normally associated with a new file server. Plus, the Active Directory join capability enables Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials to easily integrate into existing infrastructure and networks.
New hardware – with the power to deliver
With new services available in Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials and especially media file transcoding demands, this new Tranquil Leo SS4 Server is equipped with Intel 2nd Generation Core Processors (or Sandy Bridge). These new processors have huge processing capabilities, when needed, and yet consume very little power. The cooling of the CPU itself still remains fan less, optimising the long term reliability and low acoustics of the server. Your data is very important and ensuring long service life of your new Home Server is very important to us. Low noise is especially important if you plan to use the server in any populated areas, ie your home office.
The amazing power available from the Intel 2nd Generation Core Processors will ensure that your data is always processed, protected and delivered without hesitation. It also protects your investment from future exciting Add Ins that may require additional processing power.
Expansion – huge storage capacity
The new four drive servers, built around a similar chassis to the original, award winning, SQA-5H servers, come with two optional expansion ports, each supporting up to five hard disks each. This can offer almost 40TB of storage (if using 3TB HDDs).
Shipping and pre-orders
Tranquil are accepting pre-orders from 19th May 2011, and the new Leo SS4 Servers will commence shipping from June 11th. Order early to avoid disappointment.
An ‘Early Bird’ coupon code will be offered to all who pre-order, before the shipping date. To claim your Early Bird discount of £75.00, just enter the following coupon at the checkout SS4EB75
What do you get
Now that is has been a little while since Windows Home Server 2011 RTM’d and has also been available to download from MSDN and TechNet, it is finally available to order via the System Builder Channel.
Now remember that Windows Home Server 2011 is NOT a retail product, so finding suppliers isn’t as easy as if you wanted to buy a copy of Windows 7, but it will be available in the System Builder channel. Just do a search using your favourite search engine.
For now here are two sites that have it:
UK : LamdaTek – £90.68 US : PC SuperStore – $106.56If you find any other places let us know. And why not talk about it in our forums?
