Small Business Tech

We have covered home servers in this space, because they can be a low-cost alternative for small businesses versus a more expensive full-scale server. There appears to be a problem with a bug in Microsoft Home Server that can corrupt data. Microsoft apparently is aware of the problem and they are possibly going to issue a fix in June.

Engadget has more information.

Labels: home server, Microsoft, Patches

We have setup a small home file server using Ubuntu. I used an old defunct desktop computer and installed Ubuntu 7.04 alternate. The server is quick to start and easy to shutdown with just one push of the power button. Most of the setup has been done using a very easy web-based interface.

It is a great server for sharing files in a home setting, and it would also be a great system for a small business. For the sake of brevity, I am not going to go into the whole setup process here. Feel free to drop me an email if you would like more information.

Labels: home server, Linux, Ubuntu

Someone at Microsoft or their advertising agency has a good sense of humor.
Stay At Home Server

Coincidently, I am swapping out my dead Windows 2003 home server. I am going to try a recycled Gateway computer with some add-ons and Ubuntu Linux. My Father has provided some insight into loading Ubuntu without the graphical interface. I will update as the project moves forward this week.

Labels: home server, Linux, Microsoft, Ubuntu, Windows

I have seen the handwriting on the wall for the past year that this could be the year of the home server. At least many companies hope that it will be the year of the home server. Companies such as Microsoft have developed software and computer vendors such as HP have developed platforms. There are also many new Network Area Storage servers popping up from Galaxy, Netgear, Western Digital, HP, and Maxtor. I think that this trend is in sync with the wave of small computers coming along as well.

A home server and home NAS (Network Area Storage) server are nearly interchangeable terms. Unlike business, these devices will mainly just serve-up files. Business servers frequently serve files, but they may also handle email, web pages, and database hosting.

So do you need a home server? Over the years I have had a few different home servers that mainly served music and video files. I have used everything from Novell Suse Linux to Microsoft Windows Server 2003. At the moment we are between home servers, and the kids do complain about it missing. Even my Dad wanted to know why he could not find our NAS on the network at Christmas. You probably do not know that you need one until you have had one that is no longer available.

Another announcement that will propel this phenomenon is that HP will now offer network and Internet access on all of their high definition television sets as standard. This means you will be able to stream video and audio from your home server. Those that purchase another brand of television or already have a new television set you will be able to purchase a small add-on box from HP that works with nearly any type of television.

Fortunately and also unfortunately like all things tech - there are a wide range of choices in home servers. They run from $129 for plug-and-go boxes from Galaxy to the $745 HP MediaSmart. Like everything else. You get what you pay for in convenience and abilities.

Labels: home server, Microsoft, network, notebook computer