Help choosing Server OS

[howarang15]

Hi

I have a old pc and a few hdd not being used ~600gb so i am planning on making a backup server. I just wanted to know what would be a good OS to use:

1. Winxp or 7

2. Windows home server

with winxp or 7 i already know how to add it to the network and setup a ftp server. for whs i need to know is it just as easy to setup and do i go about using it the same way? And pro and cons of using whs. Also I have an xbox with xbmc on the network.

Thanks

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I cannot comment from experience, but I know a lot of people on here love WHS due to it's amazingly simple yet effective backup abilities.

[sc302 Veteran]

whs.

[notta]

Did you check out FreeNas? My server is a Windows 2003 server, but it's a pain in the ass every month to shut down all my VM's and install updates. If you're just serving files FreeNas would be a good alternative.

[cybertimber2008]

WHS

In terms of pros, you never have to remote desktop in to the server or anything, each desktop has a client built into the backup management to monitor it. All the drives become one, and if you need to add storage, you just plug it in and it works. Web access is easy and painless, and you can remote to any of your desktops from the internet.

FreeNAS would be great if you needed storage, but you'll have more time in setup, more time if you want to add storage, and you lose the ability to quickly remote connect and share media online and locally to devices like Xbox w/ xbmc. (Greatest thing I have on my Xbox)

Edited December 31, 2009 by cybertimber2008

[howarang15]

FreeNAS looks like a good alternative but will have to check for compatibility as using older hardware:

AMD Athalon 2700 @2.1GHz

Asrock K7VM2

512Mb DDR

Nvidia FX5200

IDE HDDs

As for WHS will win xp drivers work if needed?

Also when adding HDD to either WHS or FreeNAS are they formatted or are they just added with the data intact. I was watching a few youtube videos about whs and freenas and i think somewhere it was mentioned that the drives are wiped clean but cant seem to find it again.

[Joel]

As for WHS will win xp drivers work if needed?

Use Windows 2003 drivers, if available.

[+BudMan MVC]

"on making a backup server"

If what your interested in is BACKUP of your client machines.. Then to be honest hands down use WHS.. The other features it boasts are easy enough to duplicate -- be it with freenas or other linux distros, etc. etc. Which sure give you way more power to do other things with the box.

But if you just want a backup server -- its a no brainer to use and setup.. Uses single instance storage and you will have a full bare metal backup of your machines.. Which you can put back my just booting a CD, etc. Or you can just mount a backup file and restore single files, etc.

It is hands down the best backup solution for the home you will be able to find or setup.

[still1]

windows server 2008. Its more scalable.

[dragon2611]

FreeNAS looks like a good alternative but will have to check for compatibility as using older hardware:

AMD Athalon 2700 @2.1GHz

Asrock K7VM2

512Mb DDR

Nvidia FX5200

IDE HDDs

As for WHS will win xp drivers work if needed?

Also when adding HDD to either WHS or FreeNAS are they formatted or are they just added with the data intact. I was watching a few youtube videos about whs and freenas and i think somewhere it was mentioned that the drives are wiped clean but cant seem to find it again.

They are formatted in freenas, not sure about WHS

And yes it will run on that, I'm running it on a VIA C3 533mhz with 1GB ram.

[+BudMan MVC]

yeah they are wiped clean in WHS as well, if you add them to the storage pool

http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2009/04/...ws-home-server/

The next screen in the wizard warns you that if you click Finish, the hard drive will be formatted, and any files stored on that drive will be deleted.

[howarang15]

Happy New Year guys,

Thanks for all the help one last question regarding whs. right now i plan on building the server with 500 and 80gb hdds since freenas can boot off usb so storage will be 580gb how much can i expect with whs to be in the storage pool.

[+BudMan MVC]

I would not let a few GB have you decide freenas over whs -- if you were going to use it as a file server sure.. If you just going to backup your files - ok sounds good.

But if your wanting to have true Barebones type restore, with single instance storage across all the machines you want to backup, etc. Daily backups -- taking up really no space, etc. etc..

As a backup solution there is no comparison between freenas and whs. I just looked at system is taking up 64GB on my WHS.

[Owen W Veteran]

WHS is a no brainer. I think there *may* be a Windows 7 version in the near future too. :)

[The_Observer]

I have Windows Home Server installed onto Single Core, and lookin @ getting my on DualCore installed onto it! can anyone please tell me with WHS can i do a reinstall and keep all my files. I have a 1tb installed on it!

[Roger H. Veteran]

I would definitely go with WHS too but FreeNAS is sweet also. It runs on lower specs too but anything above 1Ghz will still be more than enough. If you had a 600mhz P3 i would say put FreeNAS but WHS definitely would be my first choice. I want to build one too, just need some drives to move data from this 750GB USB MyBook and a 400GB IDE drive i have first so i wont loose that data!

[mpg187]

Which version of NT is WHS Based off of?

[ToneKnee]

Which version of NT is WHS Based off of?

Windows 2003 I believe..

[Joel]

Which version of NT is WHS Based off of?

Server 2003.