MS Windows Home Server

Add-In: StableBit DrivePool Build 3141

More updates from the guys at StableBit DrivePool, with the release of build 3141:

• Fixed renaming non-pooled shares.
• Implemented a different way of monitoring WHS folders.
• Resynchronize notifications for existing installs after last notifications fix.
• Old M2 mount point was not being removed for some reason. Added code to forcefully remove it in M3. This used to cause your pooled shares to not show up after the upgrade.

More info on this Drive Extender replacement add-in are available from here.

Add-In: CloudBerry Backup for WHS 2.3

CloudBerry Backup for WHS has a new version available which incorporates block level backup functionality for large files.

With the release of version 2.3 this added functionality will back up only the modified blocks of the files to the cloud storage making the overall backup process faster and more efficient.  Block Level Backup is useful if you want to copy large files such as SQL Server Backup files, MS Exchange Database, Outlook PST files and virtual machine images.

To use Block Level Backup you should choose the Simple Mode in the Backup Wizard. Also, check Use differential copy checkbox.

The beauty of the CloudBerry Backup implementation is that you can access the files with any other tools and CloudBerry Backup is the only client program available on the market that doesn’t require any additional server software to process the modified blocks.

Limitation: there is one important limitation though. You can only use block level backup feature for the files > 5 GB. This is the current limitation of Amazon S3 copy API. Once this limitation is removed on the Amazon side CloudBerry Backup will automatically support smaller files.

Note: Block Level Backup currently in BETA and we don’t recommend using it for production purposes yet.

Note: If you use block level backup encryption and versioning functionality is not available. In the future we are also going to add the block level functionality to the advanced mode.

CloudBerry Labs have also stated that they are currently working on adding the block level functionality to the advanced mode that will not have a file size limitation and this functionality is expected to come out by the end of August 2011.

More details on CloudBerry Backup for WHS is available from here.

Add-In: MonStor Released

MonStor the Storage Management Add In for both WHS2011 and WSS2008R2 is now available from Tranquil PC.

Since that decision Tranquil engineers have been working closely with Division-M to optimise the WHS2011 Add In, on the Leo HS4 and Leo SS4 Servers.  There have been many ups as well as downs, as the software / service was put through it’s paces.

It had to be simple, effective, reliable, scalable and most importantly recoverable after a catastrophic system failure.  During 1000’s of hours of testing, and 1000’s of TBs of data transfers any undesirable issues were discovered and fixed.

MonStor now is ready, with recognition to Division-M and Tranquil engineers – a very big thank you.

The very simple ability to create a storage pool, with mismatch capacity hard disks, including 3TB disks, is really amazing.  The fast and effective way that MonStor balances the data across disks is equally impressive.

Monstor will be supplied supplied with all Leo HS4, Leo SS4, T2iWHS, SQA-5H and T7 2011 Servers or you can order just the Add In for your own home build WHS2011 for £29.95

So to learn more there is a great guide on how to setup, and how to ensure that even after a total system failure, you can still recover your WHS2011 Server, and all of your data.