Windows 8 as a home server?

Skeeter · 11 Oct 2014 at 22:36

Anyone do this?

I love my WHS v1 box. The Drive Extender is brilliant and the Backup and Restore "just works". But the Server 2003 underpinnings are really showing their age now.

So I thought about WHS 2011, but it is defunct now, and doesn't have DE. So I looked at Server 2012 Essentials, and then fainted at the price :eek:

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So how about Windows 8? It has Storage Pools and isn't a billion quid, so seems ideal. The only issue is I will need Pro to get RDP (unless there's a way to shoehorn RDP server into the non Pro version?).

Confused · 12 Oct 2014 at 14:52

I wouldn't use Storage Pools.

I personally use WHS2011 still, because the built in backup works the same as it did in WHSv1, and it's saved my backside a few times.

Whatever you use as the base OS, use StableBit DrivePool or DriveBender instead - these are much like Drive Extender in WHS v1, but better.

Also, don't worry about RDP, just use something like TeamViewer instead.

Skeeter · 12 Oct 2014 at 16:56

I wonder if there is a way to get RDP in. You could get it into XP Home and Vista Home.

What's wrong with drive pools? I've looked at some of the alternatives for DE, but would like server 2012 and the cost of that is prohibitive. W8 looks like a good OS, so what's bad about drive pools that would justify spending money on an alternative?

Also, anyone know the cheapest way to get W8? Upgrade or OEM.

Confused · 13 Oct 2014 at 12:41

Storage Spaces just isn't as good as one of the 3rd party methods I listed IMO.

Storage Spaces has many reports of it being unstable - not something I'd want when dealing with my server storage!

I'm sure there's a way to get RDP in the non-Pro version - but why would you need it?

What would RDP do that TeamViewer can't?

Skeeter · 13 Oct 2014 at 21:29

RDP doesn't require any additional software, which means you can connect from any windows PC.

I've not seen any issues with Storage Spaces, but ill have a look.

Minstadave · 13 Oct 2014 at 21:30

WHS 2011 with drivepool is excellent, well worth a look.

It's also cheap.

Skeeter · 13 Oct 2014 at 22:10

And built on 2008. I'd love a 2012 based box but there's nothing affordable.

Where can you get WHS 2011? I've struggled to find it?