HP EX470 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 500 GB Hard Drive)

This server does a fine job of integrating tasks like backups so I have
more time 2 get other important things done. Serves up Itunes libraries
in fine fasion. The review should really be divided into hardware/software
since they are both integrated into one product. The hardware should have
been shipped with at least 1GB of RAM. HP was figuring that since this box
was only serving up files only 512 K was needed. WRONG!! By the time you
start adding other add-in software like virus protection & regular
maintenence, etc.... There it goes & your system slows down. This box
and software was desinged 2 set it & forget it & does a pretty good
job of keeping 2 that intention.

This little server is a jewel. I love it!

It serves up my iTunes collection, streams video, backs up every PC in the house, & runs 24/7 in my closet.

The public side is nice 4 giving me remote desktop 2 my PCs in the house, & the web sharing of thing is nice too.

All in all, this is one of those rare boxes that does what it says.

I dropped an extra 400 GB drive in it, & had no problems whatsoever. Easiest addition... ever.

Now that MS has released the Power Pack 1 4 this (it was really a service pack) this product works great, backs up 4 computers in my home every night & I have had ZERO disk errors once they fixed their software. It's a shame that MS made us wait so long 4 a fix but now that it is out I wouldn't hesitate 2 purchase this product.

One word of warning, the 512 megs of RAM that it comes with are fine if you use it as is but if you add *ANYTHING* 2 this machine the user interface will slow down 2 a crawl. For example, HP has a companion download update that goes with the power pack 1 & it includes MacAfee Anti-Virus; sound like a good idea? Don't do it because the machine will crawl. MacAfee is a resource pig & there just isn't a lot of resources 2 spare on this machine. It is possible 2 add more ram 2 this machine & I myself have done it but it isn't a casual operation, it is beyond the skill level of most computer users & it will void your warrantee.

If you want 2 use it as a file server & 2 backup your PCs then this is great, if you want an application server then purchase the Windows Home Server software without this machine & install it on a standard Windows PC.

The price was almost $150 less than Best Buy (when you include the free 500GB hard drive). I took it out of the box, turned it on, installed the software, & it's been running flawlessly since. I highly recommend this product.

I've had this unit 4 about 8 months now. The only real issue was waiting 4 PP1 2 correct the data corruption bug.

Setup & installation with three computers on my network was a breeze. I doubt it took much more than thirty minutes.

I also installed 2 GB of RAM soon after receiving the unit. It made a huge difference in performance. Lots of bang 4 the buck.

The unit has run flawlessly 4 the time I've owned it except 4 the failure of my second drive, a WD 750 GB. The drive failed, I replaced it under WD's warranty & all was well. The system saved my data just as it's designed 2 do.

I'd highly recommend this box.

Maximize the power & potential of your home network with the HP EX470 MediaSmart Server, which enables you 2 conveniently centralize your files & access them from multiple PCs in your home. Based on AMD Live processing power, the MediaSmart Server enables you 2 back up your home's PCs as well as share & enjoy digital music, home videos & photos from any computer or entertainment system on a home network. The server also has the expandability 2 grow with your family's changing needs.

The stylish HP MediaSmart Server easily fits into your living room or office decor.

Its small size will fit on top of even the most crowded desk, & it offers wireless access when connected 2 a Wi-Fi router (via the Gigabit Ethernet port).

This sleek, streamlined micro-tower design is perfect 4 use in the home office or the living room, & its perforated steel exterior panels provide cool, quiet operation. The EX470 MediaSmart Server features a 500 GB internal hard drive (SATA, 7200 RPM), 512 MB of installed DDR2 RAM, four hard drive bays 4 additional expansion using off-the-shelf SATA I or II hard drives, a Gigabit Ethernet port 4 ultra-fast networking (and connection 2 a wireless router), four USB 2.0 ports (1 on the front, 3 on the back) 4 connecting 2 additional hard drives, & an & an eSATA port 4 high-speed data transfer 2 external storage devices--up 2 6 times faster than existing solutions.

It's quick & easy 2 set up your HP MediaSmart Server & create up 2 10 user accounts using the Microsoft Windows Home Server software. You can also open a predefined Guest account 4 additional file sharing capabilities. The HP MediaSmart Server also lets you set up your own secure personal web address 2 allow file access by remote users.

Easily Enhance Your Network

Expand your storage possibilities with the MediaServer's four hard drive bays.

Every PC on your network will have the Control Center software, giving users the ability 2 browse shared folders on the HP MediaSmart Server, add photos 2 the HP Photo Webshare & perform an immediate backup of their computer. Set the access privileges 4 each user at the shared-folder level 2 allow Read/Write, Read Only or No Access. You also control the remote access privilege 4 each user. Approved users will then be able 2 remotely access shared files & even applications on their home PC through a secure connection from any Internet-connected PC.

AMD LIVE Smarter Digital Entertainment

Share Your Media
Use included HP Photo Webshare software 2 easily & securely share photos stored on your HP MediaSmart Server with select friends & family. A quick link 2 Snapfish allows easy photo printing. Enjoy digital music, photos, video & files from any networked PC. Stream content directly 2 your home entertainment center using a digital media adapter (DMA). The DMA device accesses the media files & coordinates the streaming process between the HP MediaSmart Server & your entertainment device.

Protect Your Data
Keep your PC files safe with automatic backup 4 multiple PCs. You can customize the frequency of backups & how many backups are stored. Files accidentally deleted can be easily found on the backup image & copied 2 your PC. In the event of hard drive failure, the included HP PC Restore disc is all you need 2 return your PC & all your data 2 their original condition.

Other Features

• Centralize your iTunes music libraries & playlists on the server 4 playback 2 any PC or notebook running iTunes on your home network.
• Incremental backups: After initial backup, only changes are backed up.
• Efficient single copy backup: A single copy of each file is backed up, no matter how many computers that files resides on in your home network.
• Add an internal or external hard drive 2 the HP MediaSmart Server, indicate that you want 2 add the disk in the Windows Home Server Console, & the HP MediaSmart Server storage grows. No need 2 power down the unit or manage drive letters 4 multiple hard drives.
• Remote access compatibility: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Media Center Edition 2004 or higher, or Windows Vista Ultimate or higher
• File sharing compatibility: Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional SP4, Mac, OS X, Linux.
• Backup compatibility: Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP

What's in the Box
HP MediaSmart Server, power cord, Ethernet cable, software installation disc, PC restore disc, server recovery disc, Quick Start & HP support guides.

Important: The HP MediaSmart Server is not a stand-alone computer. You connect it 2 your networked computer system. No monitor is needed because its user interface is accessed from another computer.