I have been considering replacing my ex470 for a while, due to wanting a bit more horsepower. Some recent problems are increasing the desire for a replacement.

Can anyone suggest a good replacement?

I use the server to backup my computers and five different users access the server for media. I wish I had the time to research the ins and outs of building one myself, but I don't. So I'd prefer an out of the box replacement.

Thanks,

-Scott

A Windows Home Server is nothing more than a computer which is running server software. You could simply buy a computer and install a copy of WHS v1 or WHS2011 add some drives and your in business. There are some companies selling servers ready to go out of the box but finding a computer that meets the requirements of running the version of WHS is a good idea and who knows maybe you might even have a computer in the closet that can be repurposed for the task. Having drive trays and cool LED's is always nice but with what I recommend you can easily hook up a Keyboard, Monitor and Mouse and easily troubleshoot your server that way or still use the server console.

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Exploring the possibilities!

Migrated from WHS2011 to WS2012E: HIGHLANDER

~ Norco 4220 Enclosure
~ Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5
~ AMD Phenom II X4 995 3.2 GHz
~ 8 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
~ 3 Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8

I'm looking to migrate to something newer as well... from what I've been reading it seems like the Synology DS1511+ is a great, albeit a bit pricey, option (though it doesn't run WHS).

That Synology DS1511+ is a sharp looking box. I'm actually starting to debate whether or not another WHS machine is what I need. I like the PC backup feature of WHS, but we mostly use the ex470 as a media server. In the living room we access it using an xbox 360.

I've always wanted to get back to an xbmc setup. I had xbmc on an original xbox which went to one of the kids when I got the 360, I think I got the raw end of that deal. So I'm starting to think I would be better off getting a large network attached storage such as the Synology DS1511+ or a drobo and accessing it with a small xbmc pc instead of the xbox.

If I take that route I wouldn't necessarily need more horsepower on the server side, as the horsepower was needed for programs such as playon that bring internet video to the tv. An xbmc pc would handle that splendidly.

I'm torn.