Since the introduction of the Microsoft Windows Home Server operating system back in 2007, HP has released three generations of Windows Home Server solutions. While the HP MediaSmart Server EX and LX product lines were geared towards the home user, now a new server from HP specifically aimed for a business has hit the market. The HP StorageWorks X510 Data Vault is the business centric cousin to the popular HP MediaSmart Server series. The X510 Data Vault runs the versatile Windows Home Server operating system to offer small businesses a simple and inexpensive data-sharing, backup and recovery solution.
Our unit arrived packaged snugly in an inconspicuous business-like box opposed to a fancy consumer box. Packed safely inside, the X510 server itself, a setup poster, power and Ethernet cable, three recovery discs (Client Software installation, PC Restore and Server Recovery).
The X510 has the same look and feel as the consumer oriented MediaSmart Servers - it is a small, black and shiny, sleek server chassis with a solid feel to it. At a first glance the hardware specifications look strikingly similar to the MediSmart EX495 - this is because, in a nutshell, HP has re-badged the powerful MediaSmart EX495 as the flagship Windows Home Server for business, added 2 and 3 TB versions and included it in its SMB StorageWorks line as the X510.
Hard Drive
The setup is simplicity itself. It basically consisted of plugging the X510 into a DHCP-enabled network and the power lead into an AC power outlet. Installing the software is the same as any other Windows Home Server, because WHS rigs are “headless” – meaning the typical way to administrate these servers is by connecting to them via client software called the Windows Home Server Connector. These client connectors provide visibility into the WHS box itself, as well as handling such chores as scheduling backups or managing other home server add-in’s.
The Windows Home Server Connector software can be found on the accompanied Software Client Installation disc. Pop the CD into your client computer's CD/DVD drive and wait for the Autorun window to appear. You simply install the software on one of your network connected client computers and just follow the installation wizard, here are step by step screenshots of that procedure:
This is pretty neat! The latest version of the Connector software will automatically be downloaded from the home server to the client computer to ensure it is the most up to date version. This prevents users from inadvertently installing older client connectors. Another nice feature is the ability to specify whether or not for the Windows Home Server will wake up your client computer if it's in Sleep or Hibernation Mode, to enable it to be backed up.
Proceeding with our setup, the Windows Home Server initial configuration wizard will load for the very first time displaying a Welcome screen. We are prompted to specify a name for our home server, note that the default name for the X510 is HPSTORAGE. The server name must be unique on your network and it is a good idea to name your WHS with something useful and memorable. It can be a maximum of 15 characters and contain numbers but no spaces.
On the next screens we will specify the Administrative password (make sure you remember your password and set a password hint), toggle the Windows Update behavior settings (recommended On), Customer Experience Improvement and Windows Error reporting. Towards the end of the configuration wizard, the WHS advises you that it will connect to the Internet to download any relevant important updates. Don't worry, the update process may take a while and the progress bar moves slowly at times.
The Windows Home Server console opens and checks for HP Data Vault Software Updates. Installing updates ensures that you experience full functionality and optimal performance. If there is an update, select it and complete the instructions on the screen to install it. Do not restart or turn off your home server during the update process.
The Windows Home Server Console is where you manage the Windows Home Server. Here you can add new user accounts, assign permissions, manage shared folders and backups, add additional hard drives to your server storage and add third party software solutions called "add-ins".
Store it! Secure it! Share it!
It’s not a new idea. But it is the first time anyone has managed to make network attached storage (NAS) a simple reality for emerging and home-based business owners. The HP StorageWorks x510 Data Vault is an easy-to-use, cost effective NAS device that allows important files to be stored, secured and shared anywhere among a small team. It means that businesses like yours can start using the benefits of NAS to improve their effectiveness and productivity.
Computer backup status
A restore can be as simple as a drag-and-drop restore of a past version of a file, or as extensive as a complete system restore. Individual files or folders can be restored by selecting the business PC and a specific backup, then dragging and dropping the desired files or folders to your desktop. An entire computer can be restored by restarting and booting the computer from the Data Vault Restore CD. The computer connects to the HP Data Vault, and an easy-tofollow wizard allows you to restore one or more HDDs.
Storage usage & capacity, pie chart
To make management and use easier, WHS introduces a new disk management technology called WHS Drive Extender. Drive Extender manages all of the HDDs in the server and represents them to the user as a single volume. Gone are the days of mapping a HDD using a drive letter—all of the available disk space (even across multiple HDDs) is usable immediately; users simply see shared folders on the server.
System status
An important feature of the HP Data Vault is that it consolidates and reports on the health of your business network and all of the PCs attached to the network through a pop-up notification on the menu bar of your PC. This consolidation makes it easy to see the health of all of your computers at a glance and, if there is a problem, to quickly diagnose the cause.
Setting up a folder for duplication
Folder Duplication provides the same level of data redundancy as RAID 1 by copying the files to a second hard disk drive to protect against a HDD failure. RAID 1 technology results in everything written to the hard disk drive being duplicated to the second hard disk drive. With folder duplication, you can choose which data to mirror and thus aren't trapping valuable storage space by duplicating content that is not important. Bottom line: folder duplication is more cost effective and efficient for the user than RAID 1.
User Privileges Setup
There are two ways of setting access permissions to shared folders—either when adding or editing a user account or when adding or editing a shared folder. Either way, user accounts can be designated as full access (read and write), read access (read only), or none.
Windows Home Server Settings can be accessed via the "Settings" button in the upper right hand corner of the WHS console. This WHS settings area provides access to the underlying configuration elements of the built-in Windows Home Server allowing the user to configure such as the Windows Update management policy, Backup, Passwords and Remote Access. To further administrate the Data Vault, HP extended this area with an Data Vault settings area.
There were no surprises in this area; the Power Management screen allows you to put the Server into sleep mode to save power and wake up based on pre-defined times. The HP Update settings are all about keeping your server and networked computers current with the latest HP software, online help, and new features. Kudos: the recommended setting is to Automatically download and install updates. The notification screen gives you control of which notifications will show up as messages in your system tray. The LED screen gives you control of two different LED behaviors and allows you to adjust the brightness levels - which is nice as I don't like it too bright. Another nice feature is the Hardware Information section which gathers data from various sensors within the Server such as Fan Speed, Temperature and Voltages.
The Data Vault has its roots in the MediaSmart Server series and it should be no suprise to anyone that this heritage yields powerful multimedia features from streaming to video conversion right out of the box.
The HP Video Converter converts the most popular video formats into a file format that can be played on a variety of devices, such as notebooks, Xbox, Playstation and iPhone. This is useful when trying to play media types not supported by certain devices or players. In addition video conversion can be used to reduce the resolution and file size to improve the video streaming experience.
The HP Media Collector is a client application that takes media files from the computers on your network and copies them to the Data Vault. This makes maintaining a comprehensive library of music, photos and videos in one location a breeze. There is even software to allow the streaming of media over the internet using a web browser or iPhone mobile device.
Any small business, workgroup, or remote office that is moving towards a networked storage environment, but has limited or no IT staff. Small and medium-sized businesses with up to 10 PCs and Macs that want data protection, file sharing, data security and expandability at an affordable price will find the HP Data Vault tremendously valuable.
The HP Data Vault provides:
With the HP Data Vault, a small business can automatically centralize, share and access data remotely using any internet-connected computer. It offers a streamlined way to protect, manage and share digital content with colleagues and business partners. The Data Vault hardware is certainly powerful enough to handle almost anything that is thrown at it. Coupled with HP's support and quality, the only shortcoming we feel it is in terms of software. The Data Vault is lacking real world business and productivity solutions, the only functional business add-in included as a customer-installable add-in, allows users to backup the HP Data Vault shared folders to Amazon's S3 online data service.
Overall, the Data Vault represents the most powerful and well rounded Windows Home Server to-date. It's powerful set-it-and forget-it capabilities are easily manageable without the need of an IT administrator. Best of all, the Windows Home Server platform is extensible. There is an ever-expanding 3rd party ecosystem of software add-ins that can be used to extend the functionality in many different realms.
HP is leading the way with a roadmap, and businesses can invest in the Data Vault confidently.
A splendid blog that provides valuable information about the X510. It really makes me want to buy one now. Whoever has one I am already jelous of you.
Any word when or if the Data Vault will be available in NZ ?
@ServerSonic
The HP Data Vault X510 is available in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand
You can get them in NZ now, I bought one last year for just over $1000NZD
Nice review. Good to see HP getting involved in positioning home servers to businesses. The more the OEMs gear these products towards corporations, the faster the entire community will evolve. Money makes the world go round!
I haven't been in this group long but this is one of the best and most informative sites I have ever been to. Thanks for all the effort