Servers in the home remain scarce

[Daniel ~]

Written by Daniel
Tuesday, 22 July 2008

With its first update to Windows Home Server, Microsoft has fixed a critical bug that threatened to undermine the product's main utility--securely and reliably backing up computer files.

July 22, 2008 4:00 AM PDT
Posted by Ina Fried
C/Net

But the software maker still has to find an answer to the bigger problem--many consumers have no idea what a server is and fewer still have any reason to think they would want one in their home.... [Frontpage...]

[PorPorMe]

I admit I'm one that didn't realy understand the role of the server.[and probly still off the mark]
I read the articel and a couple others without getting what I thought was good info-just talk about backing up files and stuff. I then googled Windows Home Server and went right to windows site for download. A full explination of the server was there and it was all about backing up
your files, all the different ways that the server could do that.

I'm a bit confused because there isn't a single thing that the server can do that I don't have right now. [and it's a little pain in the but because I've got what I need saved and I don't need a program doing it for me!]
Windows Live OneCare does everything they said the server would do and more. And it's not $150. I can sceduale a back up every computer on the network-in what ever fashion I want. I believe I can backup to a ftp server if I have to.
Unless I'm missing something [Gee-is that even posible?]
I've got almost everthing a server has in this one program. The one thing I read that I don't have is a domain that you get with the server.

If I'm correct, or at least close, I'm realy confused.
Some one tell me how I'm wrong.

[Gizmo]

A server really only makes sense if you already have several machines in the house, and you routinely share information between those machines (IMO).

For example, if you have a media pc in the living room, and maybe another media pc in the bedroom, plus you like to listen to music on your work pc, then it might make sense to store all of that data on a central machine and serve it across the network.

How many people do that, or do those kinds of things?

[PorPorMe]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

A server really only makes sense if you already have several machines in the house, and you routinely share information between those machines (IMO).

For example, if you have a media pc in the living room, and maybe another media pc in the bedroom, plus you like to listen to music on your work pc, then it might make sense to store all of that data on a central machine and serve it across the network.

How many people do that, or do those kinds of things?

The difficulty I'm haveing is that I can do that now.I've 3 machines that are set to auto backup what files I choose to a central location at a time that I choose. Who needs a home server? Even if you do have a set up of those machines. Windows Home Server is an OS and is limited. XP PRO with Windows OneCare and you've got that covered and are running a regular OS instead of a limited one.
Like I said-I have got to be missing something because this doesn't make any sence. Why develope it? Why buy it?

[Daniel ~]

I just back up to a spare 500 gig Harddrive, well, not spare, I bought it for this.

I just use a thumb drive or HOME network to move stuff about (music files.)

For me it would mean leaving a box on 24/7 in case I needed it...or having to turn it on when I needed it... neither seems attractive to me...

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by PorPorMe

The difficulty I'm haveing is that I can do that now.I've 3 machines that are set to auto backup what files I choose to a central location at a time that I choose.

I'm not talking about simply backing up files. I'm talking about SHARING files between multiple computers, SIMULTANEOUSLY.

For example: your media pc in the living room is playing a movie; maybe someone in the bedroom wants to watch that same file, while there's an MP3 that you want to listen to on your computer, and somebody else on some other computer (or possibly another media pc) wants to listen to that same MP3 while they are doing their thing.

With a backup, you have to actually restore that file from a backup copy somewhere before you have access to it. With a central server acting as the data store, ALL of the machines can access that file from the central server AT THE SAME TIME, by STREAMING it (i.e. they don't have to download the entire file before they can use it).

You do NOT have this capability with Windows Live OneCare. That's not what it is designed to do. That's what a server is designed to do.

However, your confusion does illustrate the problem. A server really only becomes useful in a scenario where you are sharing files between multiple computers at the same time, and in real time. Otherwise, it is just added complexity and headache that the average user doesn't need.

I mean, really, how many homes even HAVE more than one PC?

[PorPorMe]

Thank you. My confusion just got lifted. Everyone being able to access whatever file in real time makes a big difference. And as you stated be fore-how many home users are going to need that capability? Not many.

[noob]

What gets me, is that XP pro can do almost everything that Home Server can.

The few things it can't do, that Home Server can?
Well people who really wanted it, have most likely found an alternative, or gone without.

Home Server may pick up a few new people, but likely as not get existing users of those types of services.

I personally,
Have 3 computers - 1 main, 1 hooked up to the TV, and another doing not much.

The main one is on 24/7, the others aren't.
The main computer has ~1.6TB storage if you include the 500GB External drive almost permanetly hooked up to it.

Before moving away from windows, all media was shared either via broadcasting (usually vlc), or direct connection. File transfers were done via torrent or ftp.

Now I use linux, and it has its own servers/programmes for everything I want and more.

[cloasters]

Maybe it's a good thing that home Servers are rare. Bot-nets come to mind, the bahstages.

[Rondog]

A home server is a good idea, personally I already have although somewhat more power than Windows Home Server.

I have a P4 3.2ghz HT w. 2gb RAM running Server Pro 03. Using active directory I can do anything from any PC in the house, I can also VPN in and access my data and if need be, transfer over FTP. It also acts as a file/media server for the PC in the living room.

But yes, I do understand Server 03 is really really expensive. I got it at a brilliant bargain.

Also, there are many problems running a server (mainly the bloody power bill) but even things like settings up active directory, most mums and dads at home do not have that kind of PC knowledge, so it still poses the cost of having someone come in and set it up.

My $0.02 cents.

[PorPorMe]

Originally Posted by Rondog

Also, there are many problems running a server (mainly the bloody power bill) but even things like settings up active directory, most mums and dads at home do not have that kind of PC knowledge, so it still poses the cost of having someone come in and set it up.

My $0.02 cents.

Some of the people running folding rigs 24/7 have run the figures both here and at Overclockers and averege rig with no care costs $10 to $12 a month [if I remember corectly] and if care is used, namely turning off the monitor when it's not needed, it can drop to $4 to $6 a month. Mine,I was setting up the 3 rigs so I don't have exact numbers untill this months bill, only rose about $6. Is your server drawing that much more power?

[Rondog]

Originally Posted by PorPorMe

Some of the people running folding rigs 24/7 have run the figures both here and at Overclockers and averege rig with no care costs $10 to $12 a month [if I remember corectly] and if care is used, namely turning off the monitor when it's not needed, it can drop to $4 to $6 a month. Mine,I was setting up the 3 rigs so I don't have exact numbers untill this months bill, only rose about $6. Is your server drawing that much more power?

Mainly inefficient power supplies, but 2 laptops and 3 desktops tend to look mean on a power bill.