First Look at New HP MediaSmart Server

[Timothy Huber]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/12/29/hands-on-hp-mediasmart-server-ex487-part-1/' target='_blank'>http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2008/1...r-ex487-part-1/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"As a result, as we look towards future versions of the platform, I think we&rsquo;ll remember 2009 as the year that Windows Home Server began the transition from an excellent, if relatively worthy (read: slightly dull) file server, backup and remote access system to a sexier, more powerful home media hub - easier and more exciting to market both to the industry and end-users. That transition starts today with the announcement of two new HP MediaSmart Server models - the EX485 &amp; EX487 (codenamed "Encore"). A home server design that will be familiar now to many but with new, powerful media sharing, streaming and management software built on top of the core OS that opens up the path to a new generation of home servers."</em></p><p>&nbsp;<img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1231363315.usr147.jpg" /></p><p>Over at We Got Served is a great review of the new HP MediaSmart Server line, running Windows Home Server.&nbsp; The hardware has been upgraded with a faster processor, more RAM, and more drive space. But the major enhancements are all in software including better media sharing and streaming support, online backup to Amazon, and full Mac support.&nbsp; I'm particularly interested in a media collection tool that scans your network for pictures, music and video, and copies it to the server. I have one of the first generation MediaSmart Servers and it's been one of the best technology purchases I've ever made. These new servers look to deliver even more.</p>

[Kacey Green]

I finally got one and I'm loving it so far, it is way smaller than the pictures make it look, that's a good thing.

I ran into a bug when restoring files from one of my laptops, but there is a hotfix that I had to register with Microsoft to get, they emailed it to me really quickly and all is well on that front. Now all that's left is organizing my files and then backing up the server itself.

[Phillip Dyson]

I've been watching these guys and am about to pull the trigger, but I have one question.

I'm concerned about my dependancy on HP for updates. If Microsoft releases an update (Power Pack, or Service Pack) to the platform, am I forced to wait for HP to deliver it to me? I'm getting Windows Mobile OEM shakes.

[Kacey Green]

PP2 came from windows update when I turned this bad boy on, but MediaSmart 2.5 came from HP.

In the WHS control panel there is a section for windows updates, and another for HP updates

[Phillip Dyson]

Thanks Kacey,
It sounds like Microsoft releases and HP releases are independant of one another.
So theoretically, I could wipe the HP stuff off and go pure WHS. Not that I would but I could. I would like to think that it would have a longer life span then when HP may stop providing updates.

[Kacey Green]

In theory yes, but it is headless from the factory, there is no way to hook a monitor up to it out of the box, maybe some kind of usb KVM perhaps.

At this price point it is nearly disposable too (Should HP and MS stop supporting it). Use it for recovery once and it has paid for itself, plus all the extra stuff it does out of the box, I've remoted in a few times to get stuff for work. I could have used the mesh but the stuff was already on the WHS.


If HP quits on it the server would continue to run, HP and Dell are the only vendors I've used in the last decade that haven't dropped me out in the cold, they may stop development for my hardware but the last versions of drivers bios etc are online way longer than I've felt fair, but I was definitely grateful.