New WHS 2011 Build

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th3r3turn

258 posts

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#103545 10-Jun-2012 12:42

So i got me a copy of WHS2011, and decided to install it onto some spare parts, ATM i have 8gig memory, is this enough? Ill be using PS3 server, air video server. Im also keen to install some sort of virtual server software, (VirtualBox/vmware) to create some custom servers to run on. Also i have installed Drive Pool, ATM i have a 1TB install and another 2TB waiting to install, but i have data on the 2TB that i dont want to lose, plan to buy another 2TB HD install/copy data/install sec 2TB.

Can anyone please give me some tips on running this server and what i should look out for.

Digmarx

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#638488 10-Jun-2012 15:31

WHS 2011 can't handle more than 8 gb of RAM, from what I understand. Another thing to look out for is that the built-in WHS 2011 backup facility can't cope with partitions larger than 2 TB of data or multiple concurrent backup disks. Using DrivePool you'll have to source a third-party backup util. I've been using WHS 2011 for 4 months now and it's worked more or less fine for me, but so far I've only been backing up client disk images and critical docs/pics/etc.

timbosan

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#638505 10-Jun-2012 16:25

All sounds good, I run VirtualBox on my WHS2011 server, which has 8GB RAM. However, if you plan on running much else MAKE SURE YOU INCREASE THE SIZE OF YOUR C DRIVE!!! It only takes a few apps to fill this up, and its a pain to expand latter.

Digmarx: WHS 2011 can't handle more than 8 gb of RAM, from what I understand...

Are you sure? It's a 64bit OS, based on Server 2008R2, so I would expect it to handle much more. My mobo only has 2 DIMM slots so I cannot test though

Digmarx: Another thing to look out for is that the built-in WHS 2011 backup facility can't cope with partitions larger than 2 TB of data or multiple concurrent backup disks..

So very true, and a pain in the arse until you realise you can just use the standard Windows Backup utility, which has no limits. You create the schedule in WHS console, then 'fix' it in the backup utility, and it runs great. I backup most of my stuff to a 2TB external drive.

Otherwise, I would recommend a RAID solution for data. I run 2 3TB drives in RAID1 using Windows software raid and it works great. Fast enough to stream Blu-ray rips off. If one drive fails I put the other into a PC and read it as is, since its just NTFS.

I would also recommend a couple of add-ins:

Cloudberry Backup - allows you to backup to Cloud or Local targets. I backup daily to my S3 account
WHS Smart 2011 - the best designed addin I have seen. Gives details to the SMART status of your drives
LightsOut - Lets you schedule your server to sleep and wake at certain times. Great for saving power

mthand

148 posts

Master Geek

#638519 10-Jun-2012 17:10

I run WHS 2011 on esxi5 as a virtual server, with 2vcpu's and 4GB ram. It has run fine for two months with two client machines now running Win8 RP, one running Media Center with one xbox360 as an extender.

Only real issues I have had is trying to get the client machines to sleep properly and the server to automatically clean up backups to stay within capacity of the disk.

I'm not sure I have a recommendation but I would stay clear of Homegroup settings

th3r3turn

258 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#638543 10-Jun-2012 18:00

Thanks for that, Yea from what i have also read, 8gigs is the max amount of memory WHS 2011 will use.

Digmarx

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#638590 10-Jun-2012 19:52

Yeah, I haven't personally encountered the 8-gig limit but I'm led to believe it serves to constrain the use of WHS to home and small business contexts. I'll also add my vote to Home SMART 2012 and Lights Out. I've found Lights Out to be well worth the price.

lyonrouge

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#642006 17-Jun-2012 09:31

I have also virtualised WHS2011 with 2GB of RAM (it runs on 1.3 on average) and 4 vPROC. I initially allocated 2 vPROC but the web (Silverlight) transcoder staggered with only 2 vPROC but is smooth with 4. With the WHS2011 integrated DLNA Media Server you may not need to install the other server software you are considering, i.e. PS3 Server, although I've had issues with library rebuild and discovery, so I have Twonky installed to cater for the disparate renderers I have (Samsung Phone, Sony TV, PS3, XBMC on Mac & Nokia)

With the 8GB that you have, I would install a thin hypervisor and separate your server requirements onto separate VMs.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

lyonrouge

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#642014 17-Jun-2012 09:53

ps. when you first install it, apply the updates from Microsoft immediately as there are some problems with the base install.