Terracode - Windows Home Server OEM on Book Server

Windows Home Server OEM on the Book Server

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Introduction

After receiving the release version of Windows Home Server, it is time to upgrade the RC1 version that was reviewed previously and install the OEM final release version. The OEM comes as a package and is meant for System Builders, but anyone can install this version whether they a re a system builder or want to utilize a spare PC.

The package comes with an OEM Server install disk, Windows Home Server Connector software and the Home Computer Restore CD.

Upgrade Install Procedure

1. The upgrade is actually a server reinstallation as opposed to a new install. This will keep all your existing files and storage pool intact. If this was a new install the drives specified for the storage pool would be formatted and one would lose the data on the drive. Make sure you make note of the users, passwords settings and Windows Live ID you had used in the previous install because you will have to re-enter this information. Also write down the fixed IP address and DNS names you used in the previous install.

Set BIOS to boot from optical drive.
When prompted, hit any key to boot from the drive.
When the installation window appears, select 'Reinstall Server'.
Install will take over an hour and several reboots will occur.
After install finishes, you will have to setup your administrator password. Make sure that you use the same password as you had previously.
Install Ethernet drivers.
Open the Network properties for you network adapter's TCP/IP settings and put in the values you had previously used.

2. After the reinstall and initial setup are complete it is time to reapply your settings. You can refer to the RC1 review for the screen shots

Start the Windows Home Server administration panel.
Add the users back into the WHS that you had in the previous installation with the same username, password and shared folder rights. Remember that a user with Administrator rights on the WHS server cannot login remotely using the web interface for security reasons.
Go to the Remote Access panel under settings and activate the 'Web Sites'.
If you previously manually configured the router, don't click the router setup. If you do have a WHS uPNP compatible router, you can click the router setup.
The Domain name requires you to enter the Windows Live ID you used in your previous install.
You have a choice of using the your previous domain <domain-name>.livenode.com or the recommended one <domain-name>.homeserver.com . I chose to use '.HomeServer.com'.

3. De-install the RC1 connector software from the remote computer and install the new release version of the connector software.

Performance

I didn't see a major difference in performance between the RC1 and OEM. Downloading a 384 MB file had a transfer rate of up to 4.5 Mb/s and slowly reduced to around 3.25 Mb/s. RC1 showed around a 4 Mb/s transfer rate, but I never noticed a decrease in speed as the transfer commenced. The web interface seemed more responsive.

No new features were found that weren't in the RC1 release except for the ability to use the HomeServer domain.

Conclusion

The reinstall went well and all user files and folders from the RC1 was still intact. I would highly recommend installing WebGuide4 WHS. It provides a picture viewer and the ability to stream audio and video via the web interface for WHS. More info on this can be found in the WHS Tips and Tricks link.

Please e-mail info@terracode.com with any comments or questions.