Make my WinServer 2k3 do the cool stuff that WinHome Server will do!

February 2, 2007 10:42 PM

Make my WinServer 2k3 do the cool stuff that WinHome Server will do!

So I've had my in-house server running for a couple of years now. I have an Academic Windows Server 2003 Standard license.

I only use the server for media file sharing to the house. I do have some advanced permissions in place for each household member's personal folders and backup areas. I've also run a FileZilla FTP server from it.

But now I want to do the cool stuff that WinHomeServ will do, like automatic remote backups of client machines and image rollout.

And, basically, any other kick-ass things that I'm missing out on. Free and open-source solutions are strongly favored.

Please don't try to sell me on converting it to a Linux server, it's just not going to happen.

Pimp My Server!

Oh, tech details:

Server 2003 Standard (NOT R2)
5-seat CAL (not that it really matters)
1TB RAID 5 array (software, Windows dynamic disks)
One small mirrored volume (~60GB)
Independant OS disk.
1.8 Ghz Celeron
768MB RAM (I could probably up this if needed)
Triple 10/100 NICs
Headless (all management via RDP)

posted by SlyBevel to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Check your gmail.
posted by mge at 10:54 PM on February 2, 2007

Got it, mge. Thanks!
posted by SlyBevel at 10:58 PM on February 2, 2007

Hmm, I'd also be interested in this, so what exactly did mge recommend?
posted by KirTakat at 11:00 PM on February 2, 2007

I'm involved in the beta program and had an invite for another person, so I offered that out.
posted by mge at 11:06 PM on February 2, 2007

Regarding backup, Windows Vista Ultimate has some new image based complete pc backup. I haven't used it but it likely produces WIM files which is the new technology that is also used by the installer.

It might be that you can boot off some sort of recovery CD are resotre this image. If that doesn't work you might be able to whip something up using the deploment tools. The downside is that this wouldn't let you do incremental backups, as Windows Home Server does. Also you'd have to make a seperate image of each PC which would eat up a lot of space.

IMHO, the backup feature of Windows Home Server is the killer feature, and I haven't seen anywhere how you can simulate this very well.
posted by mge at 11:31 PM on February 2, 2007

I have been drooling over Windows Home Server since I read the transcript of the keynote speech at CES. Any chance that there might be an extra invite to the beta floating around?

Please, please, pretty please?
posted by Jim T at 9:14 AM on February 12, 2007