Gizmodo
Why, in the midst of a major Windows Home Server push, would HP introduce a little Linux-based NAS at half the price? And why would HP make the $300 Media Vault mv2120 so full featured and easy that its $600-and-up MediaSmart Servers look
A) too bulky
B) too expensive
C) too overloaded
D) all of the above?
Is HP telling Microsoft there's no need for Windows Home Server, especially in light of its recent troubles? Or is HP saying that WHS is nice, but it'd be nicer if it was actually priced as an accessory? Whether the new Media Vault is a lurch away from Microsoft's gravitational pull, or whether it's a placeholder until Redmond can come up with a formula for $300 WHS boxes, it's a pretty cool little machine.
See, one of the reasons I liked Windows Home Server so much is that after dealing with many NAS products from the storage companies and networking hardware makers, the MediaSmart server was easier to setup and had a lot of useful apps ready to go at the start. Maybe you like a clean drive, an empty warehouse on your network, but it's nice when some of the initiative is taken for you.
That's why I was relieved (though a bit startled) that the 500GB Media Vault—again half the price of the 500GB MediaSmart Server—was ready to do so much right out of the box.
I plugged it in, ran the Windows-only set up, and was immediately able to back stuff up, either using the super-simple screen for music, movies, etc., or the more comprehensive tool, where you can tell it what you want to back up and when you want it done.
I did it on both Vista and XP machines, and was happy to be able to check out my contents afterwards on the PCs and even on my Mac. (WHS only lets you see your backups via a tedious drive emulator, one that obviously doesn't run on Macs.)
Even though the $299 version comes with just one fixed 500GB drive, it also has a bay so you can add another 3.5" SATA drive. 
I powered down the unit, dropped in a 500GB on that I had lying around, and fired it up again. The LED went purple to show that it saw the drive but needed a format. I went to the Media Vault control center, picked the drive, formatted it (as a RAID 1 mirror of the first drive) and voila, in minutes, we were set and, on the unit itself, Drive 2's LED had turned blue.
I haven't done any HD video streaming or anything like that yet, but with a gigabit ethernet connection, I don't think I'll have a problem. In fact, though HP says that the Media Vault can't do multiple simultaneous video streams like the WHS, I can't really figure out what I, personally, would miss if I kissed the WHS goodbye and stuck with the Media Vault. (Update: Contrary to original comments, HP now says you can do multiple video streams, so one less advantage for WHS.) Here's how the comparison plays out:
What's not as good as MediaSmart Windows Home Server:
• Won't do multiple streams of video like WHS
• Only two drive bays (a fixed and a spare) instead of four
• Lets you backup multiple PCs, but only one at at time from the PC itself, not through a WHS-style master control
What's the same as MediaSmart Windows Home Server:
• iTunes music aggregation
&bull Photo webshare
• Remote access and web-based file browsing (1-year free)
• Connect via Mac for basic use as a shared drive
What's better than MediaSmart Windows Home Server:
• Web-based remote controls work great on Macs
• Quieter, with less drive noise on a regular basis
• Easy to back-up the server itself to a USB drive
• Easier to access Windows backups, especially from a Mac
• Probably does not share the same data corruption bug as WHS
In the end, this product isn't just another NAS, but a bold statement that HP is making, that it doesn't have to be saddled by the rough riders of Redmond when it can build (license?) its own practically identical box at a lower cost. Now I know that there are some things that you can only do with a PC-like server running a full OS, but honestly, what are they? I mean, do most people, even die-hard server-needers, give a crap? I want to know from you folks: Why bother with Windows Home Server when the Linux-based alternatives are on the surface equally friendly, equally powerful and—oh yeah—half the cost? [HP]
Comments
Nice! Any power saving features when its idle?
That's the sound of ass being kicked.
Only one year free web based file browsing? How much after that dare I ask?
Or can you just put your own ftp client on there?
microsoft needs to stop over-extending itself.
granted WHS is probably a great product, but i really wish they would admit that linux is very good at certain things and stop trying to rule the whole world.
if microsoft would focus on their core competencies (desktop operating system and major productivity apps) i guarantee they could turn out some amazing products that would even re-convert some of us linux users.
Wow.
Definitely an eye-opener.
Any reason they can't build this with four drive bays instead? That's the only thing keeping me from getting this.
damn, I might have to look into using these for clients. How is the HP backup utility integrated (is it scheduled or can it determine when a user is connected and thus backup, or is a scheduler still necessary)?
Also, it looks as though the internals would be a dust magnet. my only fear is that the door to the internals ans removable bay (and the main logic board) are prone to getting filled with dust and damage. just a thought...
It seems ridiculous to me to use a Windows based OS if just used for a File Server. Just running a basic web server (for web based control), file server and backup app, you can run an OS much more streamlined, quicker to boot and less of a resource hog.
Of course if WHS had some huge advantages like a proper iTunes server (it doesn't, iTunes is just not a good network app) or a Media Center Server or could gain some usage and justify a Windows OS.
@oldmanstan: WHS a great product? Tell that to the people whose data got corrupted for the crime of using something other than Explorer to access it, and all because Microsoft can't develop to standards.
The last "great product" Microsoft put out was Visual Studio 2005. The last great Windows product was Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. All in all, 2005 was a great year for them, I'm trying to say. Just wish they'd put out something since that isn't crap.
HP has a hot seller on its hands, I would imagine since it is running Linux (under the GPL) given enough time there will be a slew of 3rd party distributions ready to run on this thing! NASLite or FreeNAS w/ UPnP Media serving et DLNA compatibility!!! TIME MACHINE DAMMIT!
can you do remote time machine backups to it?
I'm sold. Now when can I can buy it. :(
Can this NAS stream to the XBOX 360 without trouble ?
I've been looking around trying to find one that can do that and have at least two drives up to 1tb total at the total minimum.
Thing you can do with a Windows Home Server - run Sharepoint Services 3...can be quite handy for a family "intranet" type site.
@oldmanstan: WHS is a piece of shit.
I've lost files, had user accounts totally locked out, and random drives disappear off it. I'm really pissed off that HP has been able to make a better product, at half the price but I guess that is the price of trusting Microsoft to make a reliable product.
@xxdesmus: Really? I guess I must be getting old, but I never want to have a family intranet. As geeky as my family is (my 65-year-old father is a texting maniac), there's something to be said for Post-It notes, and hockey schedules on the whiteboard.
"Bobby got an A on his exam! Let's put it on the fridge."
"No, let's scan it and post it to the intranet!"
*shudder*
That said, if it's just Linux, is there anything stopping people from installing Wordpress or Drupal on it for an intranet?
Will it stream video to my Xbox?
I own the HP mediaserver ... and i would never trade it in ... it came with 500GB and now i have over 5TB ... I would never trade it in
I love the HP windows media sever i would never trade it in for that junk
@bailey_ca: Way to forget your main point, jackass! At $300 this thing represents a tipping point for someone like me. I have a Linux server at home that, all told, cost approximately $300 to build...except mine lives in a hulking (though attractive) mini-tower case and required me to install and tweak Ubuntu. If I can simply buy a little box like this, it's well worth my time.
@jonthomasdesigns: "I love the HP windows media sever i would never trade it in for that junk" [Citation Needed]
@davezatz: Nope, and neither will WHS...unless you can run MS's Media Connect software on WHS (I dont think you can) and even then, it is only WMV files.
I just built a dedicated machine running Vista Home Premium, and it streams Media Center to both of my Xboxes. File serving and automated backups are not mission critical to me (a NAS would suffice)
@Lizard_King:
WHS does indeed use Windows Media Connect to stream content to 360s and other PCs running WMP. I never use it.
The thing that struck me about this review was: Why do you need to pay to access your own server over the net? Does HP own the internet now or something? Seriously, that's messed up.
lower the price a little by letting me get it alacarte (i have enough drives as it is) and 4 bays and it can replace my current server (and by server i mean optiplex g150 sitting behind my flatscreen).
@scoobydoo: @HeartBurnKid: sorry, i should have qualified that... i've never actually used WHS, i said "i'm sure it's great" because i try not to criticize products i've never used. i was about to criticize MS and i didn't want people to think i was bashing WHS when in reality i know nothing about it.
back on topic: i can't wait to see what the hackers get this thing to do, it's like the linksys wrt routers times a million!
@olafson: ahh, yes...but just WMV files, unless you transcode. I remember researching this and the results were not positive, I know divx files would not work.
@Lizard_King:
actually it does work with divx files now. I have files located on my server in the shared video folder and on the 360 I have it's video location set to the server. works perfectly, all my vids are .avi
Any word on if this unit resides on an network like a NAS?
The backup client is nice for home users, but if it can also operate as a file share on a network, then it might be useful for Macs and Linux PCs.
so what does one use one of these things for? *confused look*
@madmike1029: Then it has more functionality than WMP11 on XP, maybe it's a specific type of divx. I had very limited time on a WHS unit and no 360 nearby.
I've avoided the HP Media Server because of the WHS corruption bugs. The main reason I was even looking at NAS was for file security. I've since decided to look at things like the Netgear ReadyNAS NV+.
But this little device looks pretty great. Minimum of 4 drive bays and RAID 5 and I'd be sold.
@olafson: You beat me to it. If it has an IP address (and it does) you can access it, if you open it up. Even regular NAS can be accessed from the internet. Usually the best way is SSH, but hey geeks can do anything, so to the masses, who don't know how, maybe they need to pay for such things.
@indy360: I think the reason is that it would look too much like that Windows Home Server product of theirs.
@ocha: They're saying April 1 availability (sorry I left that out of the review).
@mksql: It is definitely a NAS, and if I understand your question, the answer is that you would definitely be able to use a non-Time Machine Mac OS network backup program to back up to it. Not a problem, given the fact that I've accessed it on my network from both Macs and PCs.
@eblingmis: Hey, I totally understand your confusion. The idea is that this is a hard drive that connects to your network (i.e. router) and not directly to your computer, so you can put files on it, but so can other people who share the network. Welcome to Gizmodo!!
@ All you dudes discussing video file compatibility: This was one thing I really didn't get a chance to mess around with, but you look like you have a lively discussion going. I will try to do some test with the Xbox (Dave Zatz) but in truth, HP doesn't really care much for the Xbox, and wouldn't bend over backwards to make the MV extra compatible. "Xbox is a game machine... period!" is the message I get from HP. But you guys know I don't believe that.
OK, that's it for me for tonight. Thanks for the enthusiasm!!
You can get around the Xbox sharing (sort of) by mapping a share from that NAS to another machine and adding (and sharing) your video library to Windows Media Player 11.
I'm not sure about either device, the small one has nice features but seems limited by it's form factor (2 bays, really?) And the WHS is uh.. big.
If I were to build something smaller, I'd find a 4-bay Shuttle PC (2x 3.5, 2x 5.25) and get something like unRAID. Or get a bigger machine and run something neat like MythTV.
I guess this could've been great for newbies, but Lacie and others offer 2-disk NAS configurations with higher storage, cheaper price and similar features?
hmmmm im already being bought into it and i would sooooo take it and be sold if it actually had that penguin face on it lol
That certainly looks more appealing than the current server I have, but RAID1 is something I just can't trust. Unless this has muscle to run Solaris so I can have ZFS it's no deal. If it can, god damnit, I don't even want to think the time and effort wasted on building my current system. : P
>> Why bother with Windows Home Server
Maybe the web front end with domain name? Adding more storage via USB? Waking up and remoting into any computer on your network? Add-ins?
@ The Brain
Not to be cynical or anything, but what's so special about the web front end again? That's what you're doomed to on 'starter' NAS boxes anyway. And what did you mean about Domain Name? As in it is easily internet accessible?
How is adding storage over USB a key feature? I am curious about waking up and 'remoting' to any computer though. Finally consumers get to have WOL! But I'd still rather use something like [logmein.com] which is much faster than RDP over ther internet anyway :X
i've been looking for a cheap easy way to raid. i might get.
@neosoul: I like being able to get to all my files by going to name.homeserver.com. Adding storage over USB is a key feature because WD MyBooks are large capacity, quiet, about the same size as the HP home server, only power on when needed, and you can connect as many as needed for storage. WHS takes care of adding, mirroring, etc. Makes for very simple upgrades. The bit torrent add-in for home server is nice too.
Hey, if you like the NAS thing, that's great. It looks like a good box for the money. I'm just telling you why I like home server.
The review is good but there are some major points missing here when comparing the MV2120 to the HP MediaSmart on WHS
- The WHS servers will do a COMPLETE DRIVE IMAGE and offer recovery from a failed disk. The MV2120 will NOT do this, it only has file/folder based backup
- The Remote access is powered by TZO.Com Dynamic DNS and HP offers "HP Personal Domains" via TZO for FREE the first year. After the first year, you can pay $9.99 per year for the remote access/DDNS feature. If you choose not to renew TZO, you could hack your own DDNS client in there if you are a linux geek, or run DDNS in your router or any other device on your network and that will work too.
-You CAN open port 22 in your router and SSH into the box. you just need to set an administrator username up first.
There is another review on this HP MediaVault server that came out a few days ago before this review was posted, it explains some of the features in more detail and includes some detailed screenshots and a link on how to get ROOT :)
[www.MyHomeServer.com] has a review up as well
where are the pictures of the back of this device? honestly put some up dammit!
@bailey_ca: It's very useful for maintaining everyone's schedules. Who's going to be home for dinner, who has this or that...and it's especially nice that it's available any where with internet (as compared to being stuck to the refrigerator).
I love the fact that it works with Macs (beter? At All?), if it had 4 drive bays I'd be all over it. For now, my HP WHS is fine for me.
Can this device serve as a DVR, as I believe WHS can? From my very limited understanding, WHS could easily be the home entertainment central, including recording all of your TV shows. I have not been following the Linux TV recording abilities, but something tells me that this box would not be an ideal choice for that. But, I hope someone tells me I am wrong.
Other than that, I can not see why anyone would pick WHS over this. Fantastic work, HP! I take back some of the bad things I said about you last eek.
does it run rsnapshot? if so it seems that would be reason enough to keep it over the other.
@bailey_ca: let's be honest. bobby never got an A in anything.
Good little review, I have the older MediaVault Pro with 1tb, while not as nice as the new version. I have found it to be near perfect. It just works all of the time, no issues and setup was less then ten min. It is good to see HP use some of that Enterprise know-how for the consumer.
How well do the web based features work? I will be spending a year away from my family shortly due to military committments and, after reading the review, thought this might be a decent way to share photo's with my wife and kids. If it works like I think it does, then it would be easy for my non-tech inclined wife to just upload the folders with photos and I will grab them and vice versa. If not, does anybody have any other alternatives that are in the same price range (~$300)?