Comments on: Review: HP MediaSmart Server EX490 and EX495

By: Alex Kuretz

Alex Kuretz — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:14:53 +0000

Hi Paul, the initial setup must be performed on a Windows OS, this is a limitation of Windows Home Server.

By: Paul Gosney

Paul Gosney — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:02:31 +0000

I note that in a post above by Brian Madigan that he was installing the server software via bootcamp on a Mac. Is this necessary, or can it be done with the supplied software without needing to boot into a windows OS?

Cheers, Paul

By: Anandha

Anandha — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:43:03 +0000

Has anyone run opensolaris on this server?

I love the form factor – and would like to build a NAS running opensolaris and ZFS. Does anyone know if opensolaris will work on this box? Or know of a similar form factor box I could use instead?

Thanks
Anandha

By: Alex Kuretz

Alex Kuretz — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:45:39 +0000

In initial testing of the previous generation servers, HP stated that the server could handle up to 5 simultaneous streams. Now, this is obviously dependent on a number of things, most importantly the speed of your network (wired gigabit would be required) and the bitrate of the files. If you’re wanting to do 4 Blu-Ray ripped movies that are encoded at a high bitrate you’ll likely have problems, however most solutions would have trouble accomplishing this. The MediaSmart Server is one of the fastest and most powerful home storage devices available and beats the pants off of almost all NAS devices.

By: Halfrikan

Halfrikan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:42:59 +0000

I have a media closet being built and was looking at using this to stream videos and music around the house.. just wondering if the processor will handle streaming multiple Files (potentially HD). Lets just say streaming 4 separate video files to 4 different computers all locally within the same house through a wired connection. I really haven’t found any information on what to get to be able to run something this extensive, it will be part of my whole house A/V, if this will do it, i will sure add it to the new closet.

By: Alex Kuretz

Alex Kuretz — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:58:25 +0000

Hi John, backing up Server 2003 won't work, and Server 2008 is unsupported but apparently works.

By: John Dee

John Dee — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:59:52 +0000

Dear Alex,
I have the Ex 470 and it works wonderfully for my home network. Does the new EX 495 back up a windows server as well? I was wondering if I could use this for my office and would like to back up our server which is 2003 soon to be 2008 windows server. Would this work? Then I could also back up our individual computers as well

Johnnydez

By: Alex Kuretz

Alex Kuretz — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:11:28 +0000

Great, I hope it helps, and don’t hesitate to ask questions in the forums!

By: Geoffrey

Geoffrey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:02:23 +0000

Alex,

On you advise I looked for some books and the first to come across was the Windows Home Server “Bible”. I realize that is a bit out of date and not perfect, but finally I can put two and two together. It is a shame that one doesn’t get proper paper manuals with these complex products any more. (The EX495.pdf is not comprehensive enough).

Now the fog has lifted. Finally, I know what this server is about and at last I’ll be able to ask sensible questions.

Geoffrey

By: Alex Kuretz

Alex Kuretz — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:13:16 +0000

Sure, you can turn off the Secure Web Forwarding feature of TZO, or just use the homeserver.com domain. Note that for some features such as logging into the server you’ll need to access the server on port 443 for secure authentication, regardless of which DDNS provider you use.

Yes, external backup drives can be encrypted with TrueCrypt for manual backups or BDBB backups, I’m not sure if they can be used with the built-in Server Backup feature. Search the forums for more info on using TrueCrypt.