The time from the start of the software install to the end of the initial configuration took us roughly 15 minutes. With the physical setup out of the way, you then go to any other computer on your network and install the Windows Home Server Console software. This hands-off approach gives you the freedom to put the MediaSmart Server completely out of sight in a closet or some other out-of-the-way location, eliminating visual clutter in your house.
The vast majority of your interaction with the server will take place via the Windows Home Server software that you need to install on another Windows Vista or Windows XP-based computer on the same network. Once you've plugged in the power and network cables and the system has been recognized by your network, you don't really need to touch it. Instead, the back-panel simply has a power cable input, a networking jack, and a handful of other ports for expanding your storage capacity with external drives. But there's nowhere to connect a monitor, and it comes with no mouse or keyboard.
It looks like a very small PC (9.75 inches high, 5.5 inches wide, and 10 inches high, to be exact), and in addition to the hard drives, it also has a processor and memory. The actual hardware of the HP MediaSmart Server is very straightforward. We're sure to see other Home Server systems hit the market over the next few months, but for now, if you want to take better control of your data, this is the best solution we've seen. This HP MediaSmart Server also appears to be the best deal on a 1TB-equipped Home Server product, at least compared to its handful of competitors. It lets you automate networkwide system backups, centralize all of your digital media files, stream them out to other devices in your home, and access them from any Windows-based, Web-enabled computer in the world. In addition to the raw storage space, what you also get for that money is powerful software that's easier to use than anything else of its kind on the market. Now we get to take a look at the complete product, by way of the HP MediaSmart Server ex475, a 1-terabyte home server that will cost you $749. We got to play with an early version of the software this summer.
We've been tracking HP's MediaSmart Server and the Microsoft Windows Home Server software that powers it ever since they were both announced back in January.