Add-In: CloudBerry Backup for WHS v2.9

CloudBerry Backup for WHS v1, WHS 2011 and SBS 2011 has had an update.

The add-in automates data backup directly to Amazon S3, Windows Azure and a few other cloud storage providers

Version 2.9 comes with 5 few important enhancements:

1. Cost Estimates

CloudBerry Backup Cost Estimate

You can set up cost estimates per the storage account on the account configuration dialog. You can also setup the limit in GB and in $ that when reached will stop the backup.  The software will automatically calculate the costs based on the current storage price offered by the storage provider. Currently Amazon S3 charge 0.125/GB per month.  The software will also send an alert to the users when the storage is about to reach the limit.

http://blog.cloudberrylab.com/2012/06/controlling-storage-costs-with.html

2. Pre/post actions

CloudBerry Pre Post Actions

With the latest release you can configure Pre- and Post actions that will run before and after the actual backup is running. This feature will make it easier to back up applications such as SQL Server and Exchange. You can set up a Pre-action to back up SQL Server and then you can set up a POST action to clean up the SQL Server backup directory from the older backup files. 

http://blog.cloudberrylab.com/2012/06/how-to-set-up-pre-post-actions-with.html

3. Windows Event Log support

CloudBerry Backup Event Log

The latest version of CloudBerry Backup comes with an option to write Events on backup completion (success and failure ) to the Windows Event log.  This feature makes it easier to deploy CloudBerry Backup along with the popular monitoring and management systems such as Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM), HP OpenView, BMC Patrol, Quest Foglight and a few others that come with a capability to process Windows Event Log and apply certain common rules.

http://blog.cloudberrylab.com/2012/06/how-to-report-on-backup-status-to.html

4. Run missed backups

CloudBerry Backup Run Missed Backups

In the latest release we are introducing the option to restart the backups having missed their schedule. Typically this happens when the computer was turned off.  The new option allows to start missed backups as soon as computer starts or backup service starts.

http://blog.cloudberrylab.com/2012/06/how-to-restart-missed-backups-with.html

5. Prevent sleep mode if backup is running.

More details on CloudBerry Backup for WHS and SBS 2011 can be found here.

Add-In: StableBit Scanner v2.0.0.2427 BETA

StableBit Scanner Icon

StableBit Scanner has been updated to version 2.0.0.2427 BETA for WHS 2011, SBS 2011 Essentials and Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials users.

Here’s the change log:

  • Extracted the Direct I/O scan settings from the UI into the .config and disabled by default. Needs more testing regarding throttling.
    Some busses behave badly when using this method. They tend to halt or severely slow down I/O targeted at other disks.
  • New Starting and Stopping state for disk scans.
  • Stopping a scan is now asynchronous and done in parallel for all disks.
  • Some drives incorrectly report 0 degrees C as the SCT temperature. If this is the case, correct it to a "not available" value.
  • Added SSD life meter to SMART window for supported disks, as determined by BitFlock.
  • Fixed disk signature verification on GPT formatted disks.
  • Added option for the Scanner to create a file on a disk when it’s actively scanning one or more disks.
    Can be used for 3rd party integration. (See .config – Scanner_RunningFile)

More details on StableBit Scanner are available from here.

Add-In: InteliSAN LDisk-D v3.0.0.4

InteliSAN have released an update to their add-in LDisk-D.

LDisk and LDisk-D Comparison

LDisk-D is a target storage and disk pooling add-in for WHS-2011, WSS-e and SBS-2011e.

LDisk-D Version 3.0.0.4 has the following improvements:

  1. Enable users to start the trial when they want
  2. Increase the trial period to 2 months
  3. Read only access volumes
  4. Change “Connect/Disconnect” menu to “Access”

More information on LDisk-D can be found here.

The BYOB Podcast Episode 89

BYOB Logo

Another episode of the "Build Your Own Box" podcast is available:

“Microsoft Surface, more Windows 8 discussion, Update on storage spaces for both Windows 8 and Server 2012, portable SSDs and stut stut stuttering issues resolved. All on this weeks BYOB podcast.”

BYOB episode 89 can be found here.

Drobo Announce the 5D and Mini

As Home Server enthusiasts I am sure most of us have heard of Drobo?

And they have just announced the availability of both the Drobo 5D and the Drobo Mini which will deliver industry firsts with automated SSD integration, Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 interfaces, and the world’s smallest, full-featured storage array.

Drobo, maker of award-winning data storage products for businesses and professionals, today announced a wide range of industry firsts with innovations in a new generation of storage devices for personal and professional users. The Drobo 5D and Drobo Mini—the world’s smallest and most portable full-featured storage array—are designed to accelerate workflows for creative professionals managing data-intensive files; home media enthusiasts looking to consolidate and accelerate video, photo, and music files; and small businesses that need fast, portable backup to protect large amounts of data. Drobo, widely recognized as the maker of the easiest-to-use storage device, has added advanced performance with Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, automated SSD acceleration, and greatly enhanced hardware and software architectures to the new systems.

“In my 30 years covering the technology industry, I have not seen something as portable, scalable and powerful as the Drobo Mini,” said Rob Enderle, principal analyst for The Enderle Group. “The SMB and prosumer market is clamoring for a plug-and-play storage product because it lacks the technical expertise and resources to manage complex storage systems. With the new Drobo products, there is no question that this enigma is solved.”

New Era of Performance and Flexibility

Both the Drobo 5D and Drobo Mini include industry-first SSD acceleration—utilizing the performance benefits of solid state drives (SSDs) and the capacity benefits of hard disk drives (HDDs) to deliver an automated, no-compromise system. In addition to supporting SSDs in any of the drive bays, both units include an additional bay that will accommodate a small-form-factor SSD to achieve significant performance boosts while making all drive bays available for high-capacity HDDs.

The products also support both lightning-fast Thunderbolt (2 ports) and USB 3.0 connectivity, an industry first for storage arrays that will provide flexibility to both Mac and Windows users. The two Thunderbolt ports allow customers to easily daisy-chain devices to accommodate massive growth, and the USB 3.0 port ensures compatibility to millions of USB systems.

Along with SSD acceleration and Thunderbolt / USB 3.0 interfaces, the new Drobo products have been completely redesigned from the ground up with new hardware and software architectures. These enhancements provide a significant increase in processing capability and several optimizations to BeyondRAID™ that will increase baseline performance by at least five times—prior to the addition of SSDs—easily making the new Drobo 5D and Drobo Mini the fastest storage arrays in their class.

Save and Protect

All Drobos are based on patented BeyondRAID technology, which automates sophisticated data protection algorithms so users can enjoy the peace of mind of safe data protection without having to be a storage expert. The new Drobo arrays add an advanced safety feature that also protects user data during and after power outages, another industry first for professional storage and a feature that has traditionally been reserved for more expensive, enterprise-grade storage.

“Our customers love Drobo’s ease of use, but they want it all—the easiest, the fastest, the safest for their data, plus the smallest and quietest,” said Tom Buiocchi, Drobo CEO. “That’s why we are here—our new Drobos will deliver on our promise of the best storage experience ever.”

Drobo 5D: Capacity and Speed with No Compromise

Brobo 5D

The Drobo 5D is the most modern and complete storage system for creative professionals including photographers, videographers, graphic designers and individuals creating and working with large amounts of rich media. In particular, professionals who are power users of Adobe and Apple applications including After Effects, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, Lightroom, Photoshop, and Premier Pro are a great fit for the new product, which is ideal for editing, storing catalogs, and backing up files of all types.

With up to five drives and an additional SSD bay, the 5D can support up to 16 terabytes of protected, SSD-accelerated data. This is the equivalent of 32 million photographs, 4 million songs, 1 million HD movies, or 48 hours of uncompressed HD video—all accessible through lightning fast Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 interfaces.

Drobo Mini: The Smallest, Most Powerful Storage on the Go

Drobo Mini

Drobo Mini is a technical marvel that redefines personal, professional, and portable digital storage. It combines a unique blend of the most advanced storage technologies with unrivaled ease-of-use, all in a sleek, world’s-smallest package, measuring seven inches square and less than two inches tall and weighing less than three pounds. Drobo invented a patent-pending “carrierless” design, which allows up to four 2.5" drives to be easily inserted into a Drobo Mini without the need for any additional drive carriers or screws. The benefit to the customer is not only the ease of drive insertion and removal, but also one of flexibility – because the design accommodates a common industry drive size, customers are free to choose the drive vendor, type (HDD or SSD), capacity, speed, and price that best meets their needs.

Since the Drobo Mini is portable, it features a ruggedized design that allows it to be transported with drives inside. In addition to being the first Drobo to offer this capability, the Drobo Mini features a custom, miniaturized power supply, and an optional carrying case, making it the ideal storage for professionals who travel extensively.

“I will shoot thousands of images per day at the Olympics, and having fast, protected storage is critical to my workflow,” said Jeff Cable, one of the few photographers representing Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. “The new Drobo Mini provides Thunderbolt performance and RAID protection in a compact package that is not much larger than a single external drive. I can’t wait to get my hands on one.”

Visit www.drobo.com/5d or www.drobo.com/mini to learn more about these new products from Drobo. Pricing, pre-orders, and availability will be announced summer 2012.

Server Backup Issues and Resolutions

Microsoft have published a TechNet Wiki article on known issues and resolutions for server backup.

Server Backup Issues and Resolutions Wiki Page

This document summarizes the reported issues and resolutions of Server Backup feature for Window Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, Windows Home Server 2011 and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials.

In order to isolate and fix these issues, you need to access the event viewer and log file in your server.

The article currently discusses 4 issues explaining the symptom the cause and when available a workaround.

Free 60GB SSD with Viridian Server’s

ViridianPC have announced that all HomeServ and OfficeStor systems now come with a 60GB SSD system drive as a no cost option.

ViridianPC Homeserv Range

The HomeServ range come pre-installed with Windows Home Server 2011 whilst the OfficeStor range come with Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials.

SBS 2011 Administrator’s Companion at 50% Off

A good read for any Home Server lover is the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator’s Companion by Microsoft Press.

SBS 2011 Administrator's Companion Book

Written by Charlie Russel and Sharon Crawford the book is a comprehensive guide to planning, deploying and administrating SBS 2011.

Here’s the details:

Get the critical information you need to build and manage a network with Windows Small Business Server 2011. This essential, single-volume reference delivers detailed guidance to the features, capabilities, and components offered in both the Standard and Premium Editions. Gain the real-world insights, workarounds, and troubleshooting tactics you need for on-the-job results.

Discover how to:
•Plan network infrastructure by evaluating your organization’s business needs
•Build a fault-tolerant and cost-effective network
•Use virtualization with Hyper-V™ virtualization to install and manage your network efficiently
•Migrate an existing network from Small Business Server 2003 or later
•Manage file storage, and configure disks for data integrity and redundancy
•Configure email and SMTP with Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
•Organize and centralize security administration through Group Policy preferences
•Set up remote access through the web portal or with a VPN
•Tune your system to its optimum performance level

The ebook version of the Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator’s Companion normally sells for $47.99 but for a limited time you can purchase it for $23.99 saving you 50% by using the coupon code MSDEAL during checkout. 

More details from here.

LaCie 5big Office: The affordable Home Server

Hardware.info have a review of the LaCie 5big Office based on Windows Home Server 2011.

5big_Office _two-views

With room for 5 disks Hardware.info awarded the LaCie 5big Office a bronze award after looking at its energy consumption and performance.

The 5big Office got top marks for its disk write and read speeds and is an ideal solution for those of you not wanting to build their own Windows Home Server especially with LaCie’s included extras which includes 100GB of storage space using their online backup service Wuala.

Hardware Info LaCie 5big Office Wuala Online Storage

You can read their comprehensive 12 page review here.

WHS 2011 Will Not Connect to an XP PC

If one of your client computers is running XP which is connected to WHS 2011 then the client connector installation may not complete, instead displaying the following error:

The Connector has encountered an unexpected error.

Additionally, the NetTCPPortSharing service will be stuck in the "Starting" state and will not successfully start.

If you encounter this problem then Microsoft have a FixIt available which will correct these problems by altering permissions for you or you can perform this manually too.

Microsoft Fix It Logo

All the details are here.