Windows home server vs Server 2008 R2

[Gw2]

I'm trying to decide between Windows Home Server and Windows Server 2008 R2 for my home server PC. Ordinarily it would be a clear cut choice, but I've got a free copy of Server 2008 R2 through my academic MSDN subscription. I'd like to avoid spending extra money if Server 2008 R2 would do the job. But I'm willing to buy Home Server should it prove necesary. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[pparks1]

Server 2008 R2 is a more fully functional product. You will be able to do similar things, but it might be a little more involved getting it set up and working. Plus, if you are interested in IT, you could use the Server 2008 R2 experience....but you won't get hired for your knowledge on Windows Home Server.

My vote is Server 2008 R2 without a doubt.

 

[xarden]

Too right.
Server 2008 R2 is currently the bee's knee's of Windows servers.

 

[Gw2]

I might aswell try it, What do I have to lose? I can still set up automatic backups and such right?

 

[pparks1]

I might aswell try it, What do I have to lose? I can still set up automatic backups and such right?

Not automatic backups of clients, no.

Instead, setup a share on the server, map a drive to your clients and run an imaging application on the clients and save the image to your server.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Unless I missed something, I didn't see where you stated what you actually hoped to accomplish. Those two products are not an equal, apples to apples comparison. They both fill different needs and roles.

That being said, it is like many of these decisions. You, and only you know what you actually need a server to do. That will make it very clear which option to use. None of us are going to be able to answer that for you, especially without you even telling us what roles you need the server to fulfill.

 

[Gw2]

Basically I want it to function like windows home server entirely. I was just hoping Server 2008 R2 was a more robust version that included Home server features. And I don;t want image backups, It's the worst possible way to backup a PC. Images are for reinstalling, File Backup is for security.

 

[DeaconFrost]

It is, but it isn't. Yes, I know that's confusion. Server 2008 R2, in some ways, is far more robust in things like permissions on folders, Active Directory, etc. However, that robustness usually means you need some level of server admin experience to set up.

So, if you want something easy for a server admin novice, WHS is the way to go. It simplifies the options, but it simplifies the process to set them up. If you want a play around server to learn...using Server 2008 R2. If you want something to be of some importance, managing your important files, without needing to learn...WHS is your answer.

 

[Gw2]

Thanks guys. I'm going to try 2008 first because I already own it and it's free but odds are i'll end up buying home server soon enough. Simple is good enough for me right now. I hope to take some networking and computer security courses however, in addition to my current Game Programming courses.

 

[pparks1]

Basically I want it to function like windows home server entirely. I was just hoping Server 2008 R2 was a more robust version that included Home server features.

If this is the case, Windows Server 2008 R2 is not the product that you want. The Windows Home Server product is a streamlined version of the OS that is intended for home use by people who aren't too savvy and don't want to learn about server administration. Home Server is managed via a browser like interface. Windows Server 2008 R2 is a full blown server operating system designed for small and large business alike. It allows you to run DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, IIS, FTP, etc. Windows Server 2008 R2 is for the person who wants to get into IT or likes knowing how everything works and takes the time to learn how to setup it up properly and manage it.

Sorry about my suggestion earlier...you have to keep in mind that I am a server admin myself and do this for a living.

And I don;t want image backups, It's the worst possible way to backup a PC. Images are for reinstalling, File Backup is for security.

Disagree with you there. While I also do file level backups, image based backups can be mounted and files copied out of them...in addition to being able to put your machine back to exactly the way that it was. Image based backups are very robust and give you everything in 1 package. As long as you have room to store it, they are great.

 

[Gw2]

I didn't even know you could mount system images. At least not the default windows ones anyway. Either way I will think file backup is better. image backup would take too much room. I have an image with all the must have apps i use every day, then i just install the rest of the crap and I'm back to minty. In addition it's a fresh install so it doesnt bring any of the problems from the image from a week ago. I do intend to fool around with Server 2008 R2 just for the learning experience. I am the sort of person who likes to know as much as I can without knowing everything.

PS. The reason file backup is the best for me is i will send these files to the server PC and then they will be backed up with carbonite. so my 2 stage backup will be close to perfect.

 

[pparks1]

Well, you can mount Macrium and Acronis images and that is what I use.

I understand about file backups. I backup just my files on my file server to 2 different USB 2.0 drives and I keep them offsite in case the house is robbed or burns down.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I think back up methods are subjective, as long as they do the job. Me personally, I don't use an image-based apps as a backup, unless I'm wiping the drive. I only worry about backing up the data I need. The reason is...to many people hide behind the incorrect line of thinking that a fresh install must take hours upon hours. It takes less than 2 hours, and gives me the latest drivers, with that clean install approach. If my drive died, I'd have my data stored safely, and would only need to restore it.

I'm not knocking the imaged based backup method, as it would work just fine as well. I just choose to backup with a different method.

 

[Woz]

Yep, fresh installs give you only want you want and none of the garbage you don't need.

As far as the WHS vs 2008 r2...IMO, I would use WHS. 2008 will give you some valuable experience, but you can also screw up stuff and have your home network down for days while you try to fix it. Once you start taking courses on 2008, I'd put it on a separate box on your network until you become proficient as an admin.

Do you really need a home server box, though? Currently, I have a simple NAS running a lite Linux distro. I haven't hacked it yet, and don't feel the need to. It just works. User accounts, permissions, groups, quotas, RAID, FTP, etc. It has all the good stuff, and was inexpensive. I run incremental backups to it every day, full backups every month, and use Goodsync to sync my most active critical folders on a continuous basis. Two years and counting with absolutely no crashes, and it uses a lot less power than a server PC would.

 

[Gw2]

The Reason I want the windows home server box is to have my pc's backup to it, and it backup to carbonite. Carbonite says it should work. I need to do this because my laptops secondary drive dies and now the data is all on my external 2TB meaning it won;t get backed up. I don't particularly want it on my laptop anyway seeing as I don;t need constant access to that data specifically, but I still want it backed up. The real solution may just be to switch to backblaze which supports external drives.

 

[Woz]

Backblaze is new to me. I use IDrive for my online backups. It supoprts backing up from mapped drives, so as long as my NAS has folders mapped to drive letters on my desktop, I'm good. I've been using them for a few years, and have had no bad experiences with backup or retreival.

I have my laptop backup to a folder on my NAS named "LAPTOP". That folder is mapped as drive "L:" on my desktop where the IDrive app is installed, and is included in my IDrive backup set.

I don't want to sound like a commercial for IDrive, but you may want to check them out. They do have a free option if you just want to try it out. They also offer an app which you can istall on a USB drive. Backups happen automatically upon plugging in the drive, and it can also be backed up to their cloud storage.

 

[Gw2]

I'll absolutely check them out.