Upgrade Windows Home Server with Amahi
Considering an Upgrade from Windows Home Server?
Windows Home Server (WHS) has long been recognized as a dependable and comprehensively equipped network attached storage solution. However, the release of WHS 2011 resulted in the removal of several important capabilities.
If you are seeking an upgrade path that preserves existing features, Amahi presents a compelling alternative.
Key Features of Windows Home Server (2007)
Upon its initial launch in 2007, Windows Home Server garnered praise for a number of core functionalities, including:
- Drive extender: This feature enabled multi-disk redundancy and the consolidation of multiple drives into a unified storage pool.
- Remote access: Users could securely access the server both within their local network and remotely.
- Add-ins: These extensions allowed for the addition of new functionality to WHS without requiring complex configuration procedures.
The recent release of Windows Home Server 2011, however, eliminated the drive extender feature. It also increased system requirements, demanding a CPU 40% faster (1.4 Ghz) and four times the RAM (2 GB) compared to the previous version.
Amahi: A Feature-Rich Alternative
For those desiring an upgrade without sacrificing existing functionality, the open-source Amahi project offers a viable solution.
Amahi is a Linux distribution based on Fedora, with an Ubuntu-based version under development. It simplifies the process of establishing a home NAS system.
Beyond the capabilities offered by other Linux/BSD-based NAS distributions, Amahi provides streamlined remote access with automatic dynamic DNS updates, drive extender functionality through greyhole, and a one-click installation process for add-ins via its application repository.
We will now guide you through the installation of Amahi using the Express CD on an HP Media Smart Server.
While Amahi can be installed on any available computer, the Express CD is specifically designed for headless hardware – systems without a dedicated monitor. The HP MediaSmart Server, already a low-power, multi-drive server, is an ideal candidate for this cost-effective upgrade.
Our subsequent article will detail the fundamental steps involved in configuring and utilizing your new Home Digital Assistant (HDA).
Preparing for MediaSmart Server Installation
Successfully installing a MediaSmart Server requires gathering a few essential components beforehand.
These prerequisites will ensure a smooth and efficient setup process.
Required Materials
The following items are necessary to complete the installation:
- Amahi Account: Registration for an Amahi account is required to obtain a unique installation code. This code will be utilized during the setup phase.
- Express CD ISO: Download the Express CD ISO image from the designated link.
- Blank CD: A standard blank CD is needed for creating the bootable installation disc.
- Spare Hard Drive: A dedicated hard drive, with a minimum capacity of 4 GB, is recommended. Larger drives allow for additional storage space.
- Spare Desktop Computer: While the Express CD is designed for headless systems, a monitor is still necessary for the initial installation procedure.
Although USB installation is an option, a physical CD installation is currently more reliable and recommended.
We found that even after multiple attempts, the USB method didn't consistently deliver the same results as a CD-based install.
Safeguarding Your Data: Backing Up Your NAS Before Amahi Installation
Prior to initiating the Amahi installation process on an existing NAS device, creating a comprehensive backup is paramount. For users currently utilizing Windows Home Server, a detailed guide is available to facilitate the backup of all data to an external hard drive.
Should your NAS operate on a different platform, investigate whether a native backup solution is integrated into the system. Alternatively, a manual transfer of all files to a secondary hard drive via the network can be performed.
Importance of a Robust Backup Strategy
- Ensuring data preservation throughout the installation.
- Providing a recovery point in case of unforeseen issues.
It is crucial to possess a current backup before commencing the installation procedure. Furthermore, maintaining your existing NAS intact, if feasible with available hardware, serves as an additional safety net against potential complications.
Keeping the original system available allows for a swift return to the previous configuration should any unexpected problems arise during the Amahi setup.
Installing Amahi: A Step-by-Step Guide
Begin by ensuring your iso file has been successfully burned to a CD. Next, connect the spare hard drive to the computer designated for the installation process.
It’s crucial to understand that the installation will completely erase all data on the selected hard drive, as well as any other drives connected to the system. Therefore, verify that only the intended hard drive is connected before proceeding.
Image courtesy of Justin Ruckman.
With the correct hard drive connected, initiate the system boot from the installation CD. The initial phases involve selecting your preferred language, keyboard layout, timezone, and establishing a root password.
We will bypass detailed instructions for these initial settings, assuming you are familiar with the process.
During the file copying and drive formatting stages, navigate to the amahi.org website on a separate computer. Log in using your registered user account.
Upon successful login, you will be directed to your control panel. Select "Your HDAs" from the left-hand menu, then scroll down to locate the installation code that was previously generated for your use.
Once the initial drive formatting and file transfer are complete, enter the obtained install code when prompted by the system.
The system will then reboot. Remember to remove the installation CD before the reboot occurs.
Following the reboot, you will be presented with a final screen for device configuration. Upon completion, your newly configured HDA should automatically restart, displaying a login prompt.
Important Note: A known issue exists within the express CD that can cause the system to become stuck in a loop, repeatedly displaying the configuration screen.
To resolve this, select the option to access a debug console and execute the command ConfigAmahi. This will finalize the HDA configuration and allow the system to boot into a fully functional state.
Hard Drive Transplant Procedure
These steps are only necessary if you aren't utilizing an HP MediaSmart Server, or if you intend to retain the original HDA within the desktop environment where it was initially installed. If neither of these conditions apply, this procedure can be skipped.
Following the system reboot, access the computer using the root user account and the password established during the installation process.
To enable Amahi to adapt to new hardware, network configuration on the new machine must be adjusted. Execute the subsequent command within the terminal.
rm /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net-rules
Subsequently, open the configuration file for eth0 using this command:
nano /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0Within the text editor, remove the line beginning with HWADDR and modify the setting ONBOOT=no to read ONBOOT=yes.
Upon the next system startup, the wired ethernet adapter will be automatically reconfigured by the operating system. Power down the machine and physically remove the hard drive.
Remove all existing hard drives from your HP MediaSmart Server. Then, install the new drive into the lowest available slot.
Power on the system. Verify that the device appears on your network through your router’s interface. From another computer, access a web page to begin the Amahi configuration process.
The following article will detail the setup of your new HDA, including application installation, user creation, storage expansion, and file restoration.
Amahi Express CD Download