Pls help me out with Server-Questions

[dvdr]

Hi
I am considering in buying a BBS2 Barebone Server from Tranquil PC: http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/aca...RVERS.html#a15

I am no expert in Windows Home Server questions, right now, I have Asset uPNP and dBpoweramp software running on a WinXP machine.

- Does WHS only allow me to install Asset, or can I install the conversion/editing tools of dBpoweramp as well on a WHS machine
- IF this system (it has a mainboard running an 64 bit ready Intel Atom 330 (2x1.6GHz) Dual Core and 2Gb RAM) allows the installation of Windows XP - would this kind of CPU be capable of running dBpoweramp (eventually, I could then also rip on that machine???)
- Currently, all my stored music and movies already reside inside my computer on a RAID5 consisting on 3x1 TB Samsung Spinpoint F1. The controller is a Dawicontrol DC-154 with a SIL 3114 controler (specs are here: http://www.dawicontrol.com/flyer/dc-154raid.pdf). As for raid-cards - can I just swap my HDs over to the other raid-card in the right order, or are RAIDS built differently by spedific cards/manufacturers and not exchangable?

Thanks for helping out here...

[dvdr]

Re: Pls help me out with Server-Questions

I forgot to mention, that the BBS2 has a RAID-Controller running a SIL 3124 chip, maybe that information is of importance...

[Spoon]

Re: Pls help me out with Server-Questions

Asset can go onto any WHS machine and dBpoweramp (for remote desktop in).

[dvdr]

Re: Pls help me out with Server-Questions

Sorry, Spoon, but I did not fully understand your answer. Sorry, if I did not fully make myself clear on my requirements and the fact, that I have never made myself familiar with WHS.

I know, that Asset can be installed on any WHS machine, but that's unfortunately not the important point to me.
Additionaly, I would want, that I have

• - full decoding capabilities (force to wav) on all codes including m4b
  AND
• - install dBpoweramp Audio Conversion suite
• - maybe even install CD-Ripper or even Batch Ripper to run my rip robot

That's why I wanted to install WIN XP, since WHS does not seem to be an "operating system" to me, that allows me to install Windows software, right? If WHS allows me to install any Windows software or at least the above mentioned components, then I am fine!!!! If not, then I have to use WIN XP.

Additionaly, please anybody, help me out with these questions:

• Is a Intel Atom 330 (2x1.6GHz) Dual Core and 2Gb RAM - system fit at all to run Asset's on-the-fly conversion and Audio conversion suite/encoding/ripping? Or is this system so limited in its power, that I am getting a problem (this "BBS2" machine from "Tranquil PC" is just a small server, running this small mainboard, so I am not sure, whether this is as forceful as a "normal" computer)
• How can I move my already existing RAID5 disks - can I just swap them over to the new system, or would I destroy all data doing that? Remember: I am NOT swapping over the controller, I am just moving the Hard Disks, so they are not attached to the Dawicontrol-RAID-Controller with the SIL 3114-chip anymore, but to the BBS2-machine with a SIL 3124-controller-chip...
• If I have to install WIN XP, I would like to install a "stripped down" version, which does not install all of the unnecessary "crap", that windows brings. Is anyone familiar, where I could find tutorials or installers, that could help me doing that?

[Spoon]

Re: Pls help me out with Server-Questions

Asset pre-installs will all the important codecs. CD Ripper or Batch Ripper would require you to remote desktop in to log on. WHS is Windows Server 2003, a full version of Windows that can run anything.

Raid5 would probably not migrate between controllers, also WHS is not very Raid friendly (internally it has its own duplication abilities where drives are pooled by WHS).