Thanks for the replies once again, I really appreciate the time you are taking to offer this advice.

My technical knowledge limitation is mainly regarding the linux type OS's as I've never used one, only Windows / Mac and Google OS i've used.

The computers are all on Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate (Except one that is Windows XP, and also a family Laptop that is on Windows 7 Home Premium).

Each user has their own username, and every has a password specific to them. Most of the computers are only used by 1 person, so there's no username the same on another machine (If you get what I mean).

I'd like it so they wouldn't need to login to the server if possible (I think that's what you were implying?) - rather just have something automatically back up their files to it, not store the actual ones on there, but the backups.

Would these be compatible if I were to install something like Ubuntu? And would I require a server version of say Ubuntu or just use the normal one?

Thanks.

Sorry for the late reply on this one! I've been busy and had forgot about this post..

If they have all got their own username you can create shares in this format "Username$" the $ on the end basically makes the share hidden, so no other users on the network will be able to find it unless they specifically know what they are looking for... This is a very low level of security...

What I suggested above was that each user replicates their username and password on the "server" computer, they would only need to do this once... This will give a bit more security in addition to the above..

You could then use the below to map a network drive, or you could use something like synctoy to run a scheduled backup to the network drive...

net use u: \\server\%username%$ /persistent:yes
If you want to go down the linux route Ubuntu is a good choice to get started with, and I assume you could use the same principles, I've played with Ubuntu a few times but not sure exactly what's possible.. and any version should do...

Let us know how you get on though! And any questions please shout and we'll try to help where we can!

Its cool,glass of wine has aided recovery  Its a learning curve anyway, now im nto the next hurdle. so Is it right that im next looking to put drivers on? im going to be using WHS2011 but the hp site doesnt list the drivers? which ones do i need and where can i get them from please.

Also what are the opinions on stablebit Drivepool http://stablebit.com/DrivePool

Hello from Portugal,


I want to buy this server, thge main reason is for streamming and sharing files over home conection to apple tv 2 bedroom, macmini for plex and xbmc, and imac on office.

SInce this server is for storing files music and my movies, and stream all over my Mac universe, caN YOU PLEASE HELP me and advice  :

1 - what video card should i buy for stream videos and decode ? ( not to play 3d)
2 - what OS should i install to be more compatible with mac universe (smb is ok) and same time can run plex server on it?
3 - its 4 gb of memory ok for what i need? streamming - nothing else
4 - any more advices that you realize i need to setup my machine

Thks in advance

Best regards to all

Edgar

My thoughts:

1. Agree with Leon
2. It doesn't matter. I run Plex media server on a Windows 7 machine (main server) and it works fantastically from my all my apple and windows devices (haven't tried apple TV tho). I'm sure the linux version is just as good if you don't want to buy a windows license. SMB into Apple is absolutely fine from thw windows machine.
3. Agree with Leon
4. I'm surprised Leons had performance issues - I run a Pentium D Acer Desktop PC w. 3GB RAM on Win7 and have never had any performance issues.  I don't use a lot of 1080p TBF, but its run fine when I have. Be interested to know what OS you're running on it Leon - i.e. do different server versions have different requirements for performance? Or do perhaps the different clients? (Android vs iOS etc..)


I keep wanting to buy a HP Microserver myself, but the Acer is doing such a great job I can't justify spending any money on one!!

I have on Imac Lion and on Macmini Snow leopard.

My doubt was if a buy a video card like a budget one for trancoding and streaming, not because of the macmini and imac, but for atv2 since dont have hardware acceleration,
                          this card will do transcoding for my ipad and atv2?


Thks for the quick help guys

Best regards

Edgar

I'm not sure if this is still a question or not but the card wont do the transcoding, the computer CPU will handle that.. So as mentioned the card isn't required for transcoding..

Running out of space in my server with 4x 2TB drives... With HDD's still expensive and seeming like a waste to upgrade all drives to 3TB instead of 4TB (which are SILLY priced) I'm tempted to buy a 2nd server but then thats comes with the extra maintenance/power/space and the annoyance of having my media over 2 devices (not an issue on XBMC but is when trying to find stuff from PCs)

Suppose I could buy a 2nd and have one as media player in living room, one as media player in Bedroom and media shared over both.

Add 3-4 USB drives witch is doable but not what im after.