Solved Help choose: Windows Home Server 2011 vs. Windows Server 2008 R2

[monkeyman512]

I have a file server at home with a Quad core, 4gb ram, and a 3tb of storage. It is running Ubuntu Desktop and sharing video files primarily. From my school I have access to a free copy of Windows Server 2008 R2. Other than the server I have 2 Windows 7 desktops, 1 Windows 7 laptop and 1 Windows Vista laptop.

I am interested in moving to a Windows setup as I am done with the “Ubuntu” experiment. WHS looks like what I need, but I have a free copy of WS 2008 and I would miss the $50 for WHS. My goals can be described best as:

Need to Haves:
• File/media server (local network)
• Dedicated game server for various games for friends.
• Print server

Nice to Haves:
• Music/Video Streaming over the internet
• Automatic backup server
• File server over the internet
• Ability to manager other PC’s from the server

My ability as an admin:
• No experience
• Willing to learn and put forth initial effort to get setup
• Don’t have time to really spend more than 1 day moving from Ubuntu to the new setup.
• Don’t want to be stuck constantly screwing with things to get it right or keep it running.

What is going to be best option for my situation?

 

[DeaconFrost]

Honestly, I use both in their proper settings, and unless you have a domain at home with multiple users, Windows Server 2008 R2 is overkill...and would require much more tweaking and add-in apps to do what you want. Given your write-up, WHS 2011 is the way to go. It does much of what you want out of the box, and is designed for people who don't want to become server admins (or at least not be forced to).

 

[monkeyman512]

Thanks for you input. I am installing WHS 2011 right now.