Lots of talk bout' Backups - Why not HP MediaSmart

Tollaksen wrote on 8/18/2009, 1:26 PM
I am just wondering if any of you guys are using this thing for back ups and storage?

I have one and it has been great. I can dump all the raw footage onto the server and pull it whenever I need it. The HP will Back-UP all of the computer that are connected to the network. After the first Back-Up then the thing only searches for files that have changes since the last back up. It can also stream throughout your network.

I have seen alot of talk about externals but nothing about the servers. is this because you need it mobile?

Comments

bsuratt wrote on 8/18/2009, 1:55 PM
I use the Mediasmart EX485 and love it! Automatically backs up all of my PCs on the network. Use it for streaming music/video all over the house. Also, can connect directly via the internet for remote file transfer/streaming. Add-Ins provide additional control and desktop (beyond what comes with it) for the op system, Windows Server 2003. Has been absolutely solid; no problems.
Former user wrote on 8/18/2009, 2:09 PM
I built a new Windows Home Server a few months back and it has been outstanding. Completely automated backup of everything that matters. We even had to restore some critical photo files for my wife's business workflow a week or two ago and it worked like a charm.

The real beauty of this software is that you can take an old box from the closet - put in some decent storage and be up and running in no time. It doesn't require some massive "server" type hardware to do it's job.

Plus you can access anything over the web at anytime...and use it for audio/video streaming - it really is a very cool package. From what I have heard - it will be moving to a whole new level with planned Windows 7 "upgrades" coming next year...including the new Power Pack 3....

Cheers!

VP

Tollaksen wrote on 8/19/2009, 8:02 AM
Have you guys tried to run a project from the server. It works great until I have to close and open the file again. I have to point to the media because it says that it is off line. But then after pointing to the file it runs like a charm again. I don't know why.

Have any of you with multiple pcs on your home network tried to "network render"?
sheri wrote on 8/19/2009, 8:11 AM
I converted my old Dell 8400 into a Windows Home Server. Added 2 TB of storage (which will not be enough soon) and backup my photos and videos to it. I do really like it. It took me awhile to get the connecting software to work on my Vista 64 bit computer, but all is well and running great. I am not streaming from it yet, but may work on that this winter. I usually do all my editing on my Vista computer and then transfer project files to the server once I am done.
jrazz wrote on 8/19/2009, 10:10 AM
I have an hp mediasmart server as well. It works great for two of my pcs (one is xp pro and the other is Vista ultimate 64) but it does not play nice with my vista 32 bit laptop. Whenever I try to copy files to the server or files from the server to the laptop it will freeze explorer and I have to manually go in and stop explorer.exe and then restart it. It may go for a few seconds all the way up to a minute with the transfers but that's it on the laptop.

Others have experienced this as well as I have found other forums where this has been posted.

Overall, I like it.

j razz
bsuratt wrote on 8/19/2009, 12:07 PM
I have a Sony laptop running Vista Ultimate and have no problems with large file transfers over the wireless connection into my network to the Mediasmart. (Network is Verizon M1424R Router feeding D-Link DGS 2208 gigabit switch with Mediasmart and all other PCs connnected to switch.)
Former user wrote on 8/21/2009, 5:14 AM
Do you guys know if the MediaSmart device comes with backup management software, if not can you recommend something that can handle "cloning" system drives? I've used Ghost in the past, but that seems kinda clunky. If my system drive fails, I would much rather just replace the drive and have the server rebuild it rather than start with the OS, then patch, then install applications, etc...

Thanks.
bsuratt wrote on 8/21/2009, 5:37 AM
Mediasmart has very capable backup software included. For cloning drives I use Acronis.