Thecus W2000 Windows Storage Server

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PC Perspective has put the Thecus W2000 Windows storage server to the test today and, from the looks of things, it seems as though they really liked it.

The new WSS NAS series from Thecus contains some very interesting devices, and particularly so at the entry-level price with the unit we’re looking at today. WSS is the abbreviation for Windows Storage Server (in this case it’s 2012 R2), and this provides a huge increase in functionality compared to a standard NAS, as you might imagine.
 
So, it looks like a replacement for WHS 2011. I have been using that with the HP NL40 Microserver for years now and it has worked great. I am interested in getting a more robust server and updated OS though.

Does anyone know if the Media Pack can be installed on Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Essentials? I know it can be on Windows Server 2012 R2 essentials, but I am unsure if there is a technical difference between storage server and just the server.

The media streaming stuff is about the only thing missing here compared to WHS 2011.

Edit: Never Mind, I found out that the Media Pack for Streaming is included with the server. I'm glad that there is still WHS type set up out there. I have been using WHS since v1 and the backup/recover and remote access have been invaluable to me.
 
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Can WSUS be installed on WSSE? I know it's not there by default.
 
After reading the review, I can't help but feel like just about anyone would be better off just building their own server and throwing FreeNAS or something like that on it.
 
Zarathustra[H];1041427386 said:
After reading the review, I can't help but feel like just about anyone would be better off just building their own server and throwing FreeNAS or something like that on it.

If you had the technical expertise to do so, it's a no brainer. These systems aren't for those types.
 
Zarathustra[H];1041427386 said:
After reading the review, I can't help but feel like just about anyone would be better off just building their own server and throwing FreeNAS or something like that on it.

FreeNAS doesn't do client backup, does it?
 
FreeNAS isn't a replacement at all. FreeNAS is excellent, but very limited compared to this product.
 
So after reading the article on PC Per I pulled the trigger and grabbed one of these. Being a server admin for 15+ years made think that this would be a perfect and simple solution for me to stand up.

I have had the device for about 30 hours so far and it's taking a bit long to update it since it is a windows server and has 50 or so updates to install. It's progressing along just a bit slowly at this point.

Also another thing to keep in mind that when you install the connector software if you are running a pro sku OS (7 or 8.1 pro) part of the process will join you to a domain. When you setup the server it will ask you to create a domain which isn't all bad as long as you understand what a Active Directory domain is. I would assume that a non-pro sku wouldn't join a domain as that sku doesn't support domain joins and I will test that theory out with my asus t100 which is running just plain windows 8.1

Performance wise it seems a little limited in the Memory Department with 2GB but that could be due to all the patches I have been trying to get installed.

Storage spaces seems to perform well with two 3tb WD red drives but I will know more when I can start really beating the server up a bit.
 
If you haven't used server 2012R2 before, you won't realise what it can do.

That being said, this product is aiming way to high above the bar. The CPU is very tiny and the 2Gb RAM is abysmal. If you want to use SS for anything more than a spanned or mirrored volume, you will want a crap load more RAM. I would also suggest being careful using other features like DHCP, DNS, AD and the likes with the low specs.
 
Strange, the 4000 has a better ( not by much ) cpu. The 2000 and the 5000 both have the the same cpu.
 
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