14 DAY TRIAL // Following the showcasing of Windows Home Server at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, HP has released a preliminary datasheet with details for the MediaSmart Server. Designed to be at the core of a multi-PC digital home, the HP MediaSmart Server running Windows Home Server is scheduled for availability later in 2007.
Although neither HP nor Microsoft have disclosed the availability date or pricing details, HP's preliminary datasheet reveals the product's key technical specifications. HP MediaSmart Server will be powered by an AMD 1.8 GHZ 64-bit Sempron processor, and will feature an internal hard drive SATA 7200 RPM.
Customers will be able to increase the storage capacity of the HP MediaSmart Server by adding hard drives. The default configuration in which HP will ship MediaSmart Server features a maximum of two hard drives, but customers can build on the basic system, customizing the storage capabilities. According to HP, users will be able to add off-the-shelf SATA I or II drives to the expansion bays. In this regard, MediaSmart Server features a number of four hard drive bays.
"The maximum storage capacity is Only limited by number of hard drive bays (4) and USB ports (4). Using 750 GB hard drives, maximum 6 Terabytes (total supported capacity of all internal and external drives connected to HP MediaSmart Server)", reads a fragment of the HP datasheet.
The HP MediaSmart Server will deliver support for both wired and wireless PCs (via a wireless router) 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) RJ45 Ethernet networks and users will have access to no less than 4 USB 2.0 ports. The WHS powered server supports file sharing from computers running Windows, Mac and Linux.
"Up to 10 user accounts can access the HP MediaSmart Server. In addition, a predefined Guest account can be enabled for guests who want to use the file or print sharing capabilities of the HP MediaSmart Server", informs HP.