What is Windows Home Server?

Project Lil’ Fusion – Code name Zacate Light

Reviews
Tech

Timothy Daleo

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Apr 4, 2011

While at CES 2011, fellow BYOB podcaster Michael Martis and I had the opportunity to visit AMD and I took an immediate interest in all of the Fusion talk around the booth. After a few months of waiting for the prices to stabilize (and the sales to start) I thought I would give Fusion some space on my network. Read on to see this unique build.

What are Zacate and Fusion?

Zacate is the code name for the 40nm AMD Dual-Core E-350 CPU. Zacate features a 1.6 GHz dual core CPU in a 18W configuration using DDR3. It has AMD Radeon HD 6310 Graphics and supports DirectX 11.

Directly from AMD

Accelerated Processing Units (APU) combine high performance serial and parallel processing cores enabling breakthroughs in visual computing, security, performance-per-watt and device form factor.

VISION Technology from AMD delivers next-generation all-in-one desktops with a compact, energy-efficient, and stylish design. Responsive performance meets cool and quiet computing in these all-in-ones with seamless, smooth HD content.

http://sites.amd.com/us/fusion/apu/Pages/fusion.aspx

Equipment Needed

MSI E350IS-E45 AMD Zacate E350
LIAN LI PC-Q06R Red Aluminum Mini-ITX Test Bench Computer Case
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB DDR3 1066
500GB Hitachi Drive 16MB SATA 3.0Gb/s
Corsair 400W PSU (old model)
ASUS DVD RW
Four Tecate Light (Optional as always)

After tax, shipping and rebates:

I wanted a case with style, flare and a unique sense of being. Unfortunately I could not find one so I went with the Lian Li Q06R Test Bench. Right out of the box it looks like an anodized camping toilet so keep it elevated if you have small children and they decide to try and leave you a present.

The Zacate motherboards are going to run you about $120 on sale online. They make Micro and Mini ITX models and I would suggest getting one that has USB 3.0 built in.

You could also do just 4GB of RAM and reuse an old SATA drive and get the price under $300. The last three parts were recycled so I actually spent less. You could also go bigger and get a 6.0Gb/s drive or even a small SSD.

Lets set this pig on fire!

Installation and Assembly

The case comes fully assembled with the exception of the card slot stabilizer. If you are not using the card slot then you can just leave it off. It is a cleaner look when it is off anyway.

So What Are Tranquil PC Doing with Windows Home Server 2011?

Andrew Edney

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Apr 4, 2011

5

So What Are Tranquil PC Doing with Windows Home Server 2011?

As you may know, we are big fans of UK based Tranquil PC with their Windows Home Servers and their Media Center iXLs. We have had a number of exclusives in the past on their plans, and today is no exception. Here we can exclusively reveal some of their WHS 2011 plans.

Here is what David at Tranquil told me when we spoke:

We have completed our WHS (VAIL) RTM builds and will initially launch a limited number of systems on a pre-order basis (details to follow) (there will be no ‘DE like’ service on these units – although we expect users to add their own solutions – i.e. DriveBender)

During May we will then add a number of optional WHS (VAIL) servers, including advanced, multi-drive services.

These units will include a unique Add In that will deliver DE like functions – based on hardware RAID. The user will be given the option to ‘Add’ HDDs as they are inserted to the servers – if that choice is to add to the ‘Storage Pool’ then the Add In takes care of the RAID service. (ie just 2x HDDs will be in RAID1, more than 2x HDDs auto switch to RAID5). There is no complex ‘IT’ like setup, just ‘add more disks’ as needed.

We will be offering single and multi-drive WHS 2011 and multi drive Storage Server products on current and 2x new hardware platforms through 2011. There will be choices of low power ‘Intel Atom’ platforms / ‘Intel i series CPUs’ / ‘Intel Xeon series CPUs’. Aurora platforms are also in the pipeline.

During 2011 Tranquil PC will evolve the range of ‘Servers’ from low cost single drive systems right up to Aurora ‘Xeon’ platforms. We know that the market has been waiting for WHS2 (VAIL etc.) for quite some time – and Tranquil PC has been working very hard in the background to ensure that we can meet the demand, upon commercial release of the OS.

So there you have it, Tranquil are working hard on a number of different WHS 2011 offerings. So far this is the first actual confirmed information since the RTM announcement last week. Remember, that the announcement said “many” OEMs.

So I wonder who will be next?

As usual you can expect UWHS to have more information from Tranquil in the very near future and watch out for more details and hands-on reviews.

You can learn more about Tranquil PC and order from their website here

KeepVault v4.00 Released for Windows Home Server V1 and 2011

Andrew Edney

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Apr 4, 2011

4

KeepVault v4.00 Released for Windows Home Server V1 and 2011

Proxure have quietly released version 4 of the KeepVault Backup software for Windows Home Server V1, 2011 and Small Business Server 2011 Essentials.

This new version includes:

Backward compatible with existing KeepVault storage accounts
New platform support for Windows Home Server 2011 (code name Vail), Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials (code name Aurora) and Windows Storage Server (code name Breckenridge)
Protect multiple versions of files (pro version only). Retain, at a minimum, the most recent 5 versions of your files. KeepVault will automatically prune, and free your storage space, of older file versions. KeepVault will never automatically prune a file younger than 24 hours old.
256bit encryption (pro version only, the standard version continues to use 128bit encryption)
Updated web.keepvault.com download portal. Easier navigation. Faster downloads. Restore multiple versions of any protected files from any browser on any network connected device.
Administrate your storage pool. Allocate storage “sub-buckets” for family, friends, and co-workers (pro version only). Log into the KeepVault portal administrate your storage http://business.keepvault.com
Optimized file deletion process. Much quicker to delete old files and folders from your storage account
File queue viewer. Prioritize your files. View, order, and delete files before they are protected
New OSX Mac Client for KeepVault Connector
Small bug fixes and updates

We will be running a giveaway later this month with Proxure, so watch this space.

You can download the new version from here

BYOB Episode 38 Out Now

Tech

Andrew Edney

-

Apr 4, 2011

0

The guys over at the BYOB podcast, including our very own Tim Daleo have just released episode 38.

Here is what is included in this weeks show:

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]This week on BYOB Crucial releases their new C400 SSD. 3dxware’s 3D mouse. SSD firmware updates. Tim reviews his new AMD Fusion board. The crew looks at the Lian Li T60 techbench. and finally Mike closes out networking with some router setup basics. Remember to join us on the “BYOB LIVE SHOW” at 11am Pacific time on Saturday April 9th. See you there.[/box]

As usual you can listen to the show from here.

Another Drive Bender Update Released–Now v1.1.2.6

Andrew Edney

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Apr 4, 2011

0

Another Drive Bender Update Released–Now v1.1.2.6

It was only a few days ago that we told you about the Drive Bender update to v.1.1.2.5, now news of v.1.1.2.6 hits.

We talked about Drive Bender previously.

Here’s what they told us about this new update:

We have just released Drive Bender v1.1.2.6. This update fixes a potential Windows Explorer lockup issue that some users were experiencing. If you installed v1.1.2.5, we recommend updating to the latest version.

You can download the latest version from http://www.drivebender.com/beta-download/

If you have any problems or suggestions, please email us at support@drivebender.com, or visit our support site at http://support.drivebender.com

Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials Also RTMs

Andrew Edney

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Apr 2, 2011

3

Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials Also RTMs

Earlier this week we told you that Windows Home Server 2011 had finally RTM’d. Well, a few days after that Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials (formally known as Breckenridge) also RTM’d.

Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials is part of the Colorado family of products, which includes Windows Home Server 2011 and Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials. They all share the same codebase and a lot of the same functionality.

What is surprising is that Microsoft chose to call it Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials. In my opinion this immediately gives the impression that the product is at least 3 years old, when it fact it is brand new! Oh well, I am sure they had their reasons!

Here is what Microsoft said on their blog post:

This exciting milestone means OEM partners can now use Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials (WSS Essentials) to build NAS appliances that are ideally suited to help small business owners keep important data automatically backed up, protected, organized and accessible from virtually anywhere. Active Directory join capability enables WSS Essentials to easily integrate into existing infrastructure and networks.

To help with questions we hear during this time of the product release cycle, I have provided further guidance below.

· When will OEM’s offer WSS Essentials-based server appliances?

We expect to start seeing NAS storage appliances running Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials in the next few months. Further information will be released about supporting OEM’s as they unfold their release strategy.

· Can I buy WSS Essentials through all channels?

No, WSS Essentials will only be available via specialized OEM’s only.

· What languages does WSS Essentials support?

19 languages: Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Chinese (Hong Kong), Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.

· When will the Evaluation for WSS Essentials be made available?

The evaluation experience for Windows Storage Server Essentials will be released in early April.

· When will I be able to download WSS Essentials via my TechNet or MSDN subscription?

WSS Essentials will be made available only through MSDN starting early April.

· Can you tell me more about WSS Essentials?

You can learn more with our WSS Essentials datasheet. It is part of the Windows Storage Server family.

Congratulations MVPs Everywhere

Andrew Edney

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Apr 2, 2011

1

If you have just been awarded an MVP or have just had it renewed, then congratulations are in order.

Today is that time of the year when people all around the world are awarded, or rewarded an MVP (Most Valued Professional) award from Microsoft for work in the community,

I have been honoured over the last few years to be an MVP in Windows Home Server, and I have a lot of good friends who are WHS MVPs, along with Media Center and Small Business Server MVPs.

I know that for Windows Home Server Jim Collison has been awarded – so well done Jim and welcome to the family. We can now talk to you about everything!

And to everyone else, well done!

MVP’s are awarded four times a year so lets see who else will become an MVP soon.

To learn more about the MVP program, click here: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/

Drive Bender Update Released

Andrew Edney

-

Apr 2, 2011

0

The guys behind Drive Bender have been in touch to let is know of an update – taking it to v1.1.2.5.

We talked about Drive Bender previously.

Here’s what they told us:

Thank you to our group of beta testers for all your reviews, feedback and comments.

An update to beta 2 has been released (v1.1.2.5) and is available at http://www.drivebender.com/beta-download/

Release v1.1.2.5 – beta (2011-04-02)
– Bug fix: The Drive Bender WHS addin crashing issue has been fixed.
– Bug fix: File security is now handled correctly.
– Bug fix: BSOD issue with XP fixed.
– Improved duplication speed.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the users that help with the fixing of the WHS dashboard crashing issue.

I would also like to mention our new support ticketing system. This will help us better manage issues and feedback we receive for Drive Bender. To use this system, simply send an email to support@drivebender.com

Once again, I would like to thank all those involved with the testing.

If you wish to get update information on Drive Bender’s ongoing development, please follow us on twitter at @drivebender

The Digital Lifestyle Show 299 – Too Busy

Andrew Edney

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Apr 1, 2011

0

The Digital Lifestyle Show 299 – Too Busy

Ian has just released the Digital Lifestyle Show episode 299. He’s called it Too Busy because I was busy with work last night to record, NOT because I was playing with my iPad 2 – Honest!

Here’s what Ian says about this week show:

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Just Garry and I this week as Andrew was to busy playing with this iPad 2 to join us. We discuss Windows Phone 7 updates (again), comments from last week show, tuner splitters, new Media Center addins, Home Server, Amazon Cloud Drive, Windows TV and have a chat about the best way to get Sky into Windows Media Center.[/box]

As usual you can listen to or download the show from here

StarTech.com Announces Combination 4 Bay SATA Drive Dock and Toaster

Andrew Edney

-

Apr 1, 2011

4

StarTech.com Announces Combination 4 Bay SATA Drive Dock and Toaster

This morning StarTech.com have announced the release of their new combination 4 bay SATA drive dock and toaster – the SATDOCKTOAST4.

This looks like a very useful device to me, so watch out for the full UWHS hands-on and taste test review soon! No word on pricing yet though.

Here is the full press release:

StarTech.com announces the ultimate USB device with the Combination 4 Bay SATA Drive Dock and Toaster!

Backup your data and fulfil your need for warm breakfast pastries with the SATDOCKTOAST4 from StarTech.com

StarTech.com, Cloud Nine, April 1^st, 2011: StarTech.com, the world’s leading provider of hard-to-find connectivity parts has announced the introduction of the SATDOCKTOAST4, a dual use four port 3.5inch SATA dock and breakfast pastry toaster. Driven by the need for high speed transfer of large volumes of data, being able to have 4 SATA drives engaged in the dock at one time means users can now back up and move data like never before!

Additionally, with the drive connected to a USBp port, users can warm a wide variety of breakfast pastries such as pop tarts, toast, bagels and crumpets though the device is compatible with other types of legacy pastries as well.

The SATDOCKTOAST4 features SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connectivity (also compatible with USB 2.0) with data transfer rates up to 5Gbps (10x faster than USB 2.0) or eSATA with Port Multiplier connectivity up to 3Gbps. This docking station provides fast connectivity to all 4 drives simultaneously from a single connection.

The SATDOCKTOAST4 is able to warm your pastry of choice in under 2 minutes (subject to manufacturers cooking guidelines. Caution is advised however as the filling may be hot.)

StarTech.com Product Manager, Avril Bobo said “This is may be our hardest-to-find product yet and represents a major breakthrough in the highly competitive data/pastry market. Utilising USB 3.0 and USBp means that StarTech.com is able to establish an industry leading position where breakfast and data merge in the market sphere. Being able to keep an employee at his desk, working an eating, has been the Holy Grail for data management for some time now.”

She continued, “The SATDOCKTOAST4 is set to succeed where other devices, such as the USB kettle or the USB memory stick, have failed because of its dual purpose design and StarTech.com’s speed in adapting to, and taking advantage of, new technologies. You don’t get this kind of innovation with a Morphy Richards toaster, do you?!”

The SATDOCK4U3E has a little brother in the SATDOCK4U2E which supplies four ports for 2.5 inch drives and allows four SATA drives to be paired and connected over USB 2.0, with data transfer rates up to 480Mbps, with two USB connections or each drive can be connected individually over a dedicated eSATA connection at up to 3Gbps, allowing for multiple computers to simultaneously interface with a single docking station to access only a specific drive(s).

Talking about the SATDOCK4U2E Ms. Bobo commented, “The smaller drive bays are not suitable for full size pop-up tarts so we suggest users buy those smaller loaves of bread and toast them instead. Tesco’s does a nice whole grain one from the bakery section, but it’s not sliced, which is something we’re look to address with the next generation of graphics tablets that will feature a bacteria free cutting surface and built-in shrink-wrap dispenser”

Both docks will come in a variety of colours to match most kitchen/office environments.

For more information, please contact your local supermarket electrical department, quoting reference: Polar Foil.

For those who strictly require data transfer capabilities without toasting, StarTech.com offers a wide selection of hard drive docks and duplicators. More information can be found at www.startech.com.

The Home Server Show Episode 129 Out Now

Andrew Edney

-

Apr 1, 2011

0

The Home Server Show Episode 129 Out Now

Dave at the guys at the Home Server Show have released episode 129.

Here’s what Dave has to say about this weeks show:

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]No April fooling here, we have a good hour and a half of pure Home Server talk with a touch of media and gadgets mixed in. This week we also dive into the announcement by Microsoft about the up-and-coming release of Windows Home Server 2011.[/box]

As usual you can download or listen to the show from here

Gigabit Switch Project

Timothy Daleo

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Mar 31, 2011

8

In finally decided to remove the daisy chain of small Gigabit switches in my garage and replace them with a single 24-port Gigabit switch. Since I was going to rewire the switches, I decided to also update the location of the switch and install a single UPS. The project was a short afternoon, a one-person job and turned out to be a clean installation. Read on to see how the upgrade turned out.

Hot News: The switch I bought is on sale for one final day $109.99 with Free Shipping!

The Old Problem

You can see in the picture below that my network in the garage is a mess. It started as one cable from the attic and has grown out of control. As my network grew I would just daisy chain more switches together. The garage had two DGS-2205’s and one DGS-2208 connected to four HD HomeRun tuners, one Xbox, a laptop and seven NICs.

D-Link switches are great performing devices, low power and easy to mount.

The New Equipment

In the charts below you can see part numbers and costs but all that really matters is the bottom line. For the entire project (after rebates) I spent $431.53. This was not cheap by any means but the results were well worth the cost. If you were starting from scratch, a couple of eight port switches a UPS and cables would run you a couple of bills anyway so take away the cage and it is not too bad of a deal.

GIGABYTE Announces 3TB+ Unlock Utility

Software

Timothy Daleo

-

Mar 31, 2011

1

Gigabyte has just announced release of software that enables 32bit Systems without Hybrid EFI Technology to Utilize Unallocated Space on New 3TB+ HDDs. If you have a Gigabyte motherboard, and have had issues with 3TB drive space, then this software could offer an easy solution! Read on to find out more about 3TB+ Unlock.

Directly from the Gigabyte Press Release:

City of Industry, California, USA March 28, 2011 – GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards and computing hardware solutions today officially announced the availability of the 3TB+ Unlock Utility that allows GIGABYTE motherboards without Hybrid EFI Technology to recognize and use unallocated space on new 3TB and larger hard disc drives (HDDs). The utility is freely available from the utilities page of the official GIGABYTE website: http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/Utility.aspx

GIGABYTE 3TB+ Unlock optimizes HDD storage space by allowing the user to create a virtual drive with space that exceeds 2048GB, the maximum amount of storage recognized by 32bit versions of operating systems such as Windows XP. The virtual drives are limited to 2048GB, and the user can create up to 128 partitions, as long as there is additional unallocated space on the HDD. 3TB+ Unlock supports both GPT (GUID Partition Table) and MBR (Master Boot Record) partition styles, however with MBR the number of partitions are limited to 8.

3TB+ Unlock currently supports new high-end motherboard models based on the Intel® X58, Intel® 6 series and AMD 8 series chipsets, and is in the process of being ported to older chipset models so that it will support all motherboards that are currently shipping.

Chipset	Model	Model	Model	Model
Intel® X58	G1.Assassin	G1.Sniper	G1.Guerrilla	GA-X58A-UD9
Intel® X58	GA-X58A-UD7	GA-X58A-UD5	GA-X58A-UD3R	GA-X58-USB3
Intel® P67	GA-P67A-UD7-B3	GA-P67A-UD7	GA-P67A-UD5-B3	GA-P67A-UD5
	GA-P67A-UD4-B3	GA-P67A-UD4	GA-P67A-UD3P-B3	GA-P67A-UD3P
	GA-P67A-UD3-B3	GA-P67A-UD3

Chipset	Model	Model	Model	Model
Intel® H67	GA-H67A-UD3H-B3	GA-H67A-UD3H	GA-H67MA-UD2H-B3	GA-H67MA-UD2H
	GA-H67MA-D2H-B3	GA-H67MA-D2H	GA-H67M-D2-B3	GA-H67M-D2
	GA-H67N-USB3-B3
Intel® H61	GA-H61M-D2P-B3
AMD 890FX	GA-890FXA-UD5
AMD 890GX	GA-890GPA-UD3H
AMD 880G	GA-880GA-UD3H	GA-880G-USB3	GA-880GMA-USB3
	GA-880GA-UD3H	(Coming Soon)	(Coming Soon)
	GA-880GM-UD2H	GA-880GM-D2H

For more information about GIGABYTE 3TB+ Unlock and other exciting GIGABYTE motherboard technologies, please visit the official GIGABYTE website and the GIGABYTE Tech Daily Blog.

Boxee Announce Details of the Next Boxee Box Update

Andrew Edney

-

Mar 30, 2011

0

Boxee Announce Details of the Next Boxee Box Update

Today Boxee have released some details on their next update for Boxee Box, due in May, including support for the iPad!

Here is what Boxee have said:

Our goal is to release a firmware update for the Boxee Box (and in the future other Boxee-based devices) every 3 months or so. In each firmware update we try to have a healthy mix of new and improved functionality together with bug fixes.

The last firmware update came out in Feb, so you should expect to see the next update come out in May. Here is what’s coming:

Browser: faster loading and scrolling, favorites and history

Video playback: improved ffwd/rwd controls, new look for on-screen-display

Local files: sort by source, .nfo support

New languages: Arabic, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish

Support for Boxee for iPad..

We have gone through http://jira.boxee.tv and tried to resolve the most critical/annoying bugs (we usually prioritize bugs based on their popularity in Jira and the related discussions in the forum). Some bugs we are solving with this update:

Occasionally when trying to download and install applications it will result with “signature failed” message (BOXEE-8320)

Using USB IR receiver duplicate button presses are occasionally generated (BOXEE-8206)

HTTPS URLs cannot be invoked from search bar (BOXEE-8054)

Update is prompted during paused video (BOXEE-8008, BOXEE-8312)

Special characters are displayed wrong (BOXEE-7932)

Playback of some overlay ads in Flash video stutters (BOXEE-7925)

The Boxee Box doesn’t recognize two USB drives with the same drive label (BOXEE-7792)

When Boxee resumes from ’sleep’ mode all artwork is gone from library view (BOXEE-7571)

iPhone remote does not refresh the available host names (BOXEE-7018)

Display file name with Chinese/Japanese/Korean characters

and many more…

We are about to send out the version to our early access users and start the process of collecting feedback on the build quality, new functionality and overall experience. Once we feel the version is in a good shape we will release it out to everyone.

We have been working on a long term review of the Boxee Box, so watch out for that soon.