Homes Server: WHS Or Win Server 2008 R2?

Boggie1688 · § #1 10-30-2009, 01:39 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm really new to server building so I'm turning to you guys for help. I have a huge desktop right now that I want to turn into a home server. I need it to be able to stream videos of all types to several computers at once. We have 8 users in the house. I'm stuck between using WHS or Win Server 2008 R2. I know nothing about the software. But I do know what I want to do with it. Can you guys recommend which of the software will be best for the following:

Streaming video/ Steaming Music (Preferably simultaneously to multiple users)
Run Bittorrent and Other Clients - Allowing users login and to tell the server which files to download
Data Backup and Storage, Raid
Lastly is it possible to allow users to run programs of the server? Aka photoshop and such?

Thanks Much
Boggie1688

**zetachi** · § #2 10-30-2009, 01:49 PM

For home use WHS is the easiest. I use mine to stream MKV files to my PS3, backup all PC's in the house and Utorrent. Don't think it is possible to run apps like that from the server. It is also against EULA unless you have multiple licensees.

Boggie1688 · § #3 10-30-2009, 01:52 PM

What about allowing users to download files using the server as a torrent box. Can they share a universal login and access the torrent client?

**zetachi** · § #4 10-30-2009, 02:10 PM

I would set up a group ID for Utorrent and let them use that. Not sure if you want to trust all of them with Admin account to server. Google WHS and Utorrent for info.