HP MediaSmart Servers Gain Mac Compatibility

[MacRumors]

One of the more interesting products on display at the Macworld Expo is the HP MediaSmart Server EX485/EX487. The new server, which was the recipient of a Best of Show award, provides a home server solution for cross-platform environments.

The server contains an Intel Celeron 2.0 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM and four hard drive bays, with additional expansion possible via one eSATA and four USB ports. Although a Windows PC is required for the initial setup (Boot Camp and virtualization software are officially unsupported for setup), once configured it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Time Machine is supported for backups of networked Macs, while Windows machines are backed up using Windows Home Server. Local file and media sharing is available via Finder, while remote access to files stored on the server is available via Internet browser.

It also includes an iTunes server that centralizes iTunes music libraries for access by any networked Mac or PC with iTunes, as well as tools for simplifying uploads to photo-sharing sites such as Facebook, Picasa, and Snapfish. Online backup via Amazon S3 is also available for additional data protection.

The MediaSmart Server is offered in two configurations, the EX485 with one 750 GB hard drive for $599 and the EX487 with two 750 GB drives for $749.

Article Link: HP MediaSmart Servers Gain Mac Compatibility

[Eidorian]

Once I get settled in with my new job this is definitely on my buy list. I like the feature set and compatibility.

[cherry su]

sounds interesting. 4 HDD bays is useful; i hope SATA doesn't become obsolete 3-5 years from now. i might get one when the price goes down.

[BittenApple]

Very appealing.

[slicecom]

Very cool!

[Blazer5913]

I want an apple version!

[jonnyb]

Does it come in configuration that doesn't look like it came from the future (via 1957)?

[Le Big Mac]

Originally Posted by Blazer5913

I want an apple version!

Yeah, wait. An HP product has an iTunes server, but Apple doesn't have such a thing? (and by this I mean a server holding the tunes that can be accessed from any computer with individual control over playlists and such.)

[BornAgainMac]

Boot Camp not supported. That is dumb. That is like saying Dell isn't supported.

[madog]

Originally Posted by BornAgainMac

Boot Camp not supported. That is dumb. That is like saying Dell isn't supported.

Not OFFICIALLY supported doesn't neccessarily mean it doesn't work. More than likely, it will work just fine, as there isn't much different with Bootcamp and any other Win Box. Rather, they are most likely pointing out the fact that if you are setting it up with Bootcamp, and something goes wrong, then that just absolves them from any responsibility to support you or help you in any way or try to fix any problems that may arise after the fact.

As such, they probably didn't test it on Bootcamp, and as such, they have no idea (nor obligation) to know whether or not it works as it should.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by BornAgainMac

Boot Camp not supported. That is dumb. That is like saying Dell isn't supported.

BootCamp not support doesn't mean it won't work

[NightStorm]

It should be noted that the iTunes server can only handle audio (I'm pretty sure it is based off of the open source Firefly project -- which can be found on a number of existing NAS solutions like ReadyNAS and Drobo).

[kas23]

Oh, the irony...

Looks fantastic.

[Dmac77]

Now when they say that Bootcamp setup is unsupported. Do they mean they won't help you? Or do they mean that it actually won't work?

Don

[themoonisdown09]

I really like it, but I don't have a Windows machine to set it up with. If this is something that HP can set up for you (a one time only thing), then it's no problem. But if I have to find access to someones PC to set it up, then it's not for me yet until Macs are fully supported.

[Eidorian]

Originally Posted by Dmac77

Now when they say that Bootcamp setup is unsupported. Do they mean they won't help you? Or do they mean that it actually won't work?

Don

I think it's the HP technical support. Otherwise it's Windows, LOL.

[rtcruz1]

Originally Posted by NightStorm

It should be noted that the iTunes server can only handle audio (I'm pretty sure it is based off of the open source Firefly project -- which can be found on a number of existing NAS solutions like ReadyNAS and Drobo).

Well if video is not supported in iTunes, then that's a big negative. I think it would be great option for mac based computers if it could support video.

What about Apple TV? Can I stream to an Apple TV from the iTunes libraries on it?

[ascender]

Is there any way to sync your iPods, iPhone etc to an iTunes library held on a server with shared library?

[NightStorm]

Originally Posted by rtcruz1

Well if video is not supported in iTunes, then that's a big negative. I think it would be great option for mac based computers if it could support video.

What about Apple TV? Can I stream to an Apple TV from the iTunes libraries on it?

No, it cannot handle the PIN passcode to establish the initial connection between the two devices.

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Originally Posted by NightStorm

It should be noted that the iTunes server can only handle audio (I'm pretty sure it is based off of the open source Firefly project -- which can be found on a number of existing NAS solutions like ReadyNAS and Drobo).

So in other words, you can't use the thing to serve AppleTV units their music, movies, photos, etc.? I fail to see how this is an improvement over getting an old PowerMac and plugging in a Sata card and connecting a couple of Terrabyte drives and hooking it up with a Gigabit network connection. You can then run the actual iTunes software and serve any number of AppleTV units, Airport Expresses (via Airtunes for either one) and even sync your iPods and iPhones (a USB 2.0 card might be needed depending on the PowerMac model). It can also double as an Internet terminal or even a full blown extra computer.

This is basically what I've done with the PowerMac described in my signature. It cost about $800 plus the price of a used PowerMac digital audio. It would be about $100 less now and include two 1TB drives instead. I leave it on 24/7 and do all my home shopping, e-mail, messaging, skype, word processing, etc. on it now as well. Both its hard drives and DVD burner is over 2x faster than the brand new MBP I bought in October. 3D is about 1/2 the speed, but still quite usable for most tasks and even older games. And before someone suggests a MacMini, the hard drive is 2x faster than any FW400 drive can go (let alone the slow internal HD a Mini has), all storage is internal, I could (and did) add an internal fast DVD-RW drive, etc., all making it a better server than a Mac-Mini. The 9800 Pro can drive dual-headless displays including one full digital DVI one and the total cost is still less than an entry level iMac (and those would need external FW800 drives to even come close to the internal Sata I have here; my MBP's external FW800 drive is still about 30% slower than the PowerMac's Sata drives.) I can even boot OS9 for even older Mac games if I want. I have Tiger and Leopard installed as well. With a 2nd $50 Sata card, I could easily add two more internal Sata drives as well (plenty of space left in this tower; despite the "3 internal drive" claims, there's actually space for at least 4, if not 6 drives from what I can see).

[soLoredd]

Originally Posted by MagnusVonMagnum

So in other words, you can't use the thing to serve AppleTV units their music, movies, photos, etc.? I fail to see how this is an improvement over getting an old PowerMac and plugging in a Sata card and connecting a couple of Terrabyte drives and hooking it up with a Gigabit network connection. You can then run the actual iTunes software and serve any number of AppleTV units, Airport Expresses (via Airtunes for either one) and even sync your iPods and iPhones (a USB 2.0 card might be needed depending on the PowerMac model). It can also double as an Internet terminal or even a full blown extra computer.

This is basically what I've done with the PowerMac described in my signature. It cost about $800 plus the price of a used PowerMac digital audio. It would be about $100 less now and include two 1TB drives instead. I leave it on 24/7 and do all my home shopping, e-mail, messaging, skype, word processing, etc. on it now as well. Both its hard drives and DVD burner is over 2x faster than the brand new MBP I bought in October. 3D is about 1/2 the speed, but still quite usable for most tasks and even older games. And before someone suggests a MacMini, the hard drive is 2x faster than any FW400 drive can go (let alone the slow internal HD a Mini has), all storage is internal, I could (and did) add an internal fast DVD-RW drive, etc., all making it a better server than a Mac-Mini. The 9800 Pro can drive dual-headless displays including one full digital DVI one and the total cost is still less than an entry level iMac (and those would need external FW800 drives to even come close to the internal Sata I have here; my MBP's external FW800 drive is still about 30% slower than the PowerMac's Sata drives.) I can even boot OS9 for even older Mac games if I want. I have Tiger and Leopard installed as well. With a 2nd $50 Sata card, I could easily add two more internal Sata drives as well (plenty of space left in this tower; despite the "3 internal drive" claims, there's actually space for at least 4, if not 6 drives from what I can see).

Uh, you lost me with all the "data"

I use a G4 Mini as an iTunes server specifically for my Apple TV and I don't have a problem using USB for my external - let alone would I worry about FW. The Mini will do the same exact thing you are describing, and for a lot less than "$800 PLUS the price of a PowerMac". The only drawback is the internal drive slots but I'll be first to say I'm not out to spend over a grand just for that "feature". Daisy-chaining a couple hard drives is not a big deal.

And I am not trying to shoot down your post but the Mini definitely can be recommended for doing such a job. Bottom line is Apple is dropping the ball faster than Terrell Owens with all this media crap. They should have had such a piece of hardware to do all this for awhile now but instead we get crippled offerings (there's no reason why the Time Capsule can't have an internal iTunes server - none whatsoever).

[wizard]

Originally Posted by cherry su

sounds interesting. 4 HDD bays is useful; i hope SATA doesn't become obsolete 3-5 years from now. i might get one when the price goes down.

If you are making decisions on where SATA might be in 5 years consider that it is already possible to make SSD that are to fast for SATA. Or to put it another way SATA limits how fast data can be transfered from modern storage devices. In any event in 5 years you would likely want a new server anyways as things are always moving forward technology wise.

Personally I'm not sure why such devices have much appeal if offered up without some sort of data security, either through RAID tech or other means. I'm just not convinced that a server / back up device should be based on a single magnetic hard disk. This is one thing that keeps me from buying any of Apples offerings right now.

As to price the cheap way to do a server is to repurpose one of your old computers given that it can handle a new set of drives, and runs Linux reasonably well. Thats my approach for now. Though I have to admit that things like Drobo that are purpose built have their appeal to.


Dave

[dwright1974]

Originally Posted by wizard

Personally I'm not sure why such devices have much appeal if offered up without some sort of data security, either through RAID tech or other means. I'm just not convinced that a server / back up device should be based on a single magnetic hard disk. This is one thing that keeps me from buying any of Apples offerings right now.

Dave

Hi

The server does have data security as it mirrors the drives when there is more than one inserted. If a drive goes pop you simply pop it out and replace it.

I agree you could build your own but what appeals to me is it's very easy to use ... plug it in, some basic config, and it then just sits there in the sitting room/hallway/kitchen cupboard!

- D

[Apocrathia]

All it seems to be doing is serving files and sharing an itunes library. You can setup iTunes sharing on any computer with mt-daapd (firefly media server).

A mac mini + loaded drobo + mt-daapd = exact same thing, except you don't have to give HP money.

mt-daapd will even run under linux (how I have it running). HP is doing nothing new, it's just that they are marketing to a different crowd. There really isn't anything special about their home server.

[dwright1974]

Originally Posted by Apocrathia

All it seems to be doing is serving files and sharing an itunes library. You can setup iTunes sharing on any computer with mt-daapd (firefly media server).

A mac mini + loaded drobo + mt-daapd = exact same thing, except you don't have to give HP money.

mt-daapd will even run under linux (how I have it running). HP is doing nothing new, it's just that they are marketing to a different crowd. There really isn't anything special about their home server.

No it isn't!

It does that plus give you remote access to those files as well as photo sharing apps, and more.

I have a MBP and I don't want it on all the time. My parents live 200 miles away from me and I want them to be able to see the latest photos of my daughter - all possible with one of these Home Servers.

For the cost of the Mac Mini you can get an expandable, low power computer that is based around Windows so you can install additional software. Also, I don't want said Mini with external hard drives plugged in to it, all taking additional power, (thinking green but also saving on the cost of electricity!

I'm not an advocate of Microsoft by any stretch but this is a good product for a home-based server and I do think it is a real shame Apple don't have an offering in this arena.

- D