Katherine: Storage Spaces is in all editions of Windows Server 2012R2, and Windows 8.1 for that matter. It just doesn’t have the fancy interface it does with the Server Essentials. For that matter, you can take a regular Windows Server 2012R2 machine, and add the Essentials Experience role onto it. You’ll get the same thing, but if all you’re looking for is storage spaces, there’s no reason to do that. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins on behalf of Katherine Moss Reply-To: Blind sysadmins list Date: Monday, August 8, 2016 at 2:05 PM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server The one feature I like in Storage Server is storage spaces (I use it for my Hyper-V host, and love it. Even got my friend off of his raid obsession.) . Part of what annoys me indeed, though is how Storage server lacks the remote web features that Essentials does, which makes me almost want to use an Essentials server as a file server, disabling all of its other features, and using it for backups/file storage/media streaming. (VPN is covered by my EdgeRouter). -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Monday, August 08, 2016 10:34 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi, Be careful with the mantra of being able to put other OSes on the device. Those devices sometimes don't have KVM access which means it is a real pane to put the other OS on, and there is also the question of RAID setup, one device I used several years ago used a type of software RAID running on top of Windows Storage Server 2003, which meant that if that OS wasn't on the box the server became a useless brick. I can see why you want to go down this route but I would say that unless you really get a good deal on these boxes, you have very specific needs or there is a feature you want from Storage Server don't bother. Andrew. ________________________________________ From: Blind-sysadmins [blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] on behalf of Katherine Moss [Katherine.Moss@gordon.edu] Sent: 08 August 2016 14:48 To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server What I want is complete Active Directory integration, and I do like Windows for the added benefit. I'll be honest. Using Linux for a file server right now would be too foreign to me, I think. I'm more comfortable in the Linux arena with Routers, not filers. And plus, with MSDN, I could put onto the unit essentially whatever OS I wanted to once I got ahold of it. Plus space ... all I've got is shelving above my desk, so a rack mount or smaller pedestal would be better than a full tower. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Billy Irwin Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2016 1:01 PM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi Guys, I got busy and forgot to respond. The one I use is WD MyCloud 4TB version. Best Buy sales them. I like them because you can SSH into it and use the linux shell to advanced tasks if you wanted. Thanks, Billy -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Hodgson Sent: Sunday, August 7, 2016 12:41 PM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi, Are there specifics you want to use for Windows Storage Server? I have virtualised file servers before but always make sure the file share disks are mapped to separate LUNs in your storage. I had a Dell PowerVault unit with Windows Storage server 2008 R2 to take advantage of the single instance storage, but as that is now in Windows Server 2012 and up, I am not sure if I would bother with one of those units with Windows Storage Server. Andrew. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Katherine Moss Sent: 05 August 2016 18:49 To: 'blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org' Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] Considering a windows Storage server Hi all, This has come up recently ... I'm very fond of the virtualization of servers; I've got two; my web server, and then a domain controller on one physical server, however, I see more benefits than drawbacks to a physical filer as oppose to making my filer another virtual server having to share drive space with databases, web applications, and other things. I'm very picky as to which OS my file server runs, however (preferring windows Storage server, which I can get via mSDN, over anything else) . I was thinking something along the lines of a Western Digital Sentinel or a Dell powerVault, though less emphasis on the latter considering those are the size of a tower. Preferably something desktop-sized or rack-mountable. But I don't want another tower unit hanging around ... or should I just attach a couple of USB 3.0 drives to my current hyper-V host make a dedicated storage space out of them, and then install WSS on a virtual machine? _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins