More than 1 Home Server - Let’s Sync up!

I recently saw a post from Donavon West at Home Server Hacks titled, Syncing Two Windows Home Servers. Donavon wrote up an excellent “how to”. I was able to replicate his 3-step process with my own home servers.

With the recent introduction of the new HP MediaSmart Server EX485 and EX487 models, discussion of synchronization seems timely. A few months ago, Philip Churchill at Server For The People posted a terrific roundup of reviews. Here’s a new & upgraded features list:

· MAC backup utilizing Time Machine

· Media Collector – Searches your home PCs for your files and then stores it in the correct folder on your home server.

· Remote Media Streaming of your Music, Videos and Pictures

· Amazon S3 Internet backup

· DLNA streaming

· iTunes Server

At CES 2009, Proxure announced KeepSync for Windows Home Server. Many users are anxiously awaiting the Windows Home Server add-in.

Why would a user want to have two home servers? A plausible scenario is for a “Do It Yourself” home server to coexist (or be replaced) with a sleek new device such as the HP MediaSmart Server, Acer Aspire EasyStore Home Server or others from Shuttle, and VIA. Or a user wants 2 home servers in order to replicate their data to a separate location in the home. Or a user has more than 10 PCs or more than 10 media devices they want to stream content to. Of course, there is another very good reason… Because it is cool.

What is your reason?

JB