Windows Home Server

[gerryj]

Hi, I am considering using Windows Home Server as a file server for 3 pc's running a database application, with shared files. Home Server is a stripped down version of SBS 2003, but optimised for video & audio streaming. Ther Microsoft blurb talks about downloading files to the client and then uploading back to the server, so I am not sure if it will work. I also need to do this remotely, and the remote access on Home Server is again geared to hosting photos & music etc. Has anyone had any experience with Home Server?? Gerry

[nephilim]

Have it, Love it. Very usable, but interface is massively like vista. If you can get past that then its a great system to use.

[gerryj]

Thanks for that. Do you think it will do what I need.... the application is written in Alpha 5 v9. It's just simple file sharing, but I need to be able to access the datafiles remotely - how does the remote access work - do you have to download files, work on the client, then upload when finished? Cheers

Gerry

[nephilim]

Just works as a normal file server as far as I am concerned!

[sted]

tried it and it diddnt do the one think i wanted it to do. I could use it to auto-backup pcs but i couldnt get it to restore files it just died every time i tried i admit i was testing it with my vista x64 pc but it is supposed to support x64

[AngryTechnician]

Ther Microsoft blurb talks about downloading files to the client and then uploading back to the server

This is referring to the remote access you can do over the Internet. If you are on the same LAN then you can access the file shares just like any other Windows-based file server.

[gerryj]

I guess that means it won't file share remotely over the internet. Might it be possible with an add-on - or something like LogMeIn Hamachi?

[AngryTechnician]

Windows native file sharing has never been suitable for transmission across the internet because of the lack of encryption. You would need to establish a secure channel of some kind to attempt this - which could be as simple as setting up a PTPP VPN connection using the tools built in to Windows.

However, if you're planning on using your database app over the internet in this way, I'd urge you to think again. File sharing for database use is horribly inefficient compared to a true database protocol and the delay will be very noticeable over an ADSL connection.

[gerryj]

I was hoping that the remote access in Home Server took care of the security, but presumably not ..... I'm not sure what you mean database protocol?

[Edu-IT]

I was hoping that the remote access in Home Server took care of the security, but presumably not ..... I'm not sure what you mean database protocol?

To my knowledge it provides an interface to access files, not typical remote desktop.

http://www.intelliadmin.com/images/HomeServer31.jpg

I've not used the remote aspect of it though so could be wrong.