By on July 17th, 2012

Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials Performance

We have a couple of posts for you highlighting the performance of Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials.

First up Tinkertry who has tested the performance of backups and bare-metal restores in Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials, and the results are that it is a lot faster than both WHS2011 and WHS v1.

WHSv1 was fast, but had issues with recovering from any issues with the PC Client Backups database whilst WHS 2011 was more robust, with better error recovery, but took very long for the first backup and subsequent backups, and file restores.

Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials on the other hand was quicker than both WHS 2011 and WHS V1.

Secondly The Doc’s World tests the performance of Storage Spaces in Server 2012 Essentials.  Along with lots of screen shots for good measure.

“I still do not like the overall performance of Storage Spaces even though this was the best I have tested, as it is still considerably slower than a cheap RAID card.”

Storage Spaces Performance Testing

News • Windows Home Server
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By on July 16th, 2012

The HP ProLiant N40L MicroServer Hands On

We Got Served has a hands on review of the HP ProLiant N40L MicroServer .

HP ProLiant MicroServer

Their comprehensive review starts off by looking at what’s included in the box, including its features and specifications. Next up the N40L is tested against the older N36L model and various speed tests are performed including a look at this units green credentials.

“If you are in the market for a server chassis, you really can’t go wrong with the HP ProLiant MicroServer.  About the only weak point would be remote video transcoding, however you really do need a higher-end CPU if you need this feature.  This would certainly take you out of the green range of power consumption however”

The full 9 page review can be found here.

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By on July 16th, 2012

Video: Domains and Storage Spaces in Windows Server 2012 Essentials

the average guy have another video on Windows Server 2012 Essentials, and this one looks at Domains and Storage Spaces.

“Jim was joined by John Zajdler, Chris Courney (Drashna), Greg Welsh, Mike Martis (BYOB) and Paul Braren for a deeper dive into Windows Server 2012 Essentials Beta that was released to the public on July 11, 2012.  In the show we look at two of the more discussed features of the new OS in Domains and Storage Spaces.  We cover both discussion points as well as live demos.”

Here’s the video, whilst additional info is available from here.

Tutorial • Windows Home Server
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By on July 15th, 2012

Windows Server 2012 Essentials with your own Homemade Certificate

In Windows 2012 Essentials there are two options regarding certificates. You can either register or move your existing internet domain to a supported registrar and buy a certificate or use a certificate you already own.

For this second option a user by the name of PiGeon explains how to accomplish this with your own homemade certificate.

Windows Server 2012 Essentials with your own Homemade Certificate
In this guide PiGeon explains how to prepare the Management console, prepare the certificate request and export it to a pfx file.

A comprehensive tutorial which you can find here.

Tutorial • Windows Home Server
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By on July 15th, 2012

The Leading Causes of Data Loss

LaCie brings us a "What’s Your Backup Plan?" poster graphic.

Its a great poster highlighting what a backup is not, the leading causes of data loss, how to determine your storage needs, choosing your backup plan plus lots more.

LaCie Leading Causes of Data Loss

A great info poster which you can find here.

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By on July 14th, 2012

Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials Install Walkthrough

Windows Home Server enthusiast Bennett Adelson has taken Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials for a test drive.

In his comprehensive post Bennett takes us through the complete installation process with lots of screenshots too.

Set Up Windows Server 2012 Essentials Administrator Account Information

You can read his post here.

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By on July 14th, 2012

Video: RAID 6 Setup and Troubleshooting on WHS

Linus Tech Tips is back with a serious Windows Home Server upgrade.

Setting up 8x Seagate 3TB Barracuda drives in a RAID 6 array on WHS (RAID 6 allows for 2 failures at the same time compared to 1 in a RAID 5 array), this video has some great configuration tips plus the all important performance benchmarks at the end.

Tutorial • Windows Home Server
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By on July 13th, 2012

The Digital Lifestyle Show Episode 362 – RIP Home Server

TDL Show Logo

The latest edition of The Digital Lifestyle Show discuss the end of the road for Windows Home Server.

Garry and Ian talk about what the alternatives could be, the open sourcing of Remote Potato, Windows 8 RTM dates, Home Server tips and Raspberry Jam coming to their user group.

Episode 362 (RIP Home Server) of The Digital Lifestyle Show can be found here.

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By on July 13th, 2012

SkyDrive for Windows v16.4.6003.0710

If you are a home server user who uses SkyDrive then you may notice an automatic update for SkyDrive for Windows (Version 16.4.6003.0710).

As well as performance, reliability, and compatibility fixes this update also includes a new status window. When you click SkyDrive in the system tray, a small status window appears. It lets you know if SkyDrive is up to date, and gives you the time at which SkyDrive was last updated.

SkyDrive is up to Date Status Window

Also added is are new options in the context menu that you see when you right-click (“View sync problems” and “Report a problem”) to make it easier to identify and report issues.

More information is available from here.

Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on July 12th, 2012

First Look at Windows Server 2012 Essentials Beta

Haven’t had chance to beta test Windows Server 2012 Essentials but want to see what it looks like?

If so then we have some sites that have done the hard work for you and have already installed it.

First up is Title (Required) who walk us through the process of installing the beta, with plenty of screen shots to look at too.

Set Up Windows Server 2012 Beta Essentials - Personalize Your Server
Next is the average guy with their Window Server 2012 Essentials Beta First Look video:

In this 83 minute video the guys do a complete rundown of the Server Dashboard, Server Settings as well as a deeper dive into the Server Domain issues as well as some discussion around Add-ins, Remote Web Access, Media Server, Anywhere Access and a live back up of a Windows 7 Home Premium PC.

Finally The Home Server Show have published over 20 screen shots of what the Metro Tiles look like, and the tool bar and settings screen from the Dashboard.

Windows Server 2012 Essentials Beta DashBoard Home Tab

Lots of great material to get you up to speed on the beta of Windows Server 2012 Essentials.

UPDATE: Paul Thurrott also gives his own thoughts on Windows Server 2012 Essentials, which you can read here.

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