The HP StorageWorks x510 Data Vault, in this iteration, is somewhat of a hybrid: the offspring of the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 on steroids, and a genuine business need for a hard disc-based storage solution.

I have been reviewing the x510 Data Vault for the past several weeks, and I have come away seeing the potential of this product to deliver a powerful, yet simple storage solution to small businesses.

The Data Vault is built on two things: the Microsoft Windows Home Server (WHS) software and hardware by HP.

This is the second of three StorageWorks Data Vault reviews.

The SmallBizWindows HP StorageWorks x510 Data Vault Review #2
Scenario 2: Backing up servers and clients at a small business. – less than 20 users.
At our Northern Colorado MedikLabs, there are currently about 13 client systems - desktops and Tablet PCs - making it obviously outside the licensing maximum of 10 systems set by Microsoft for Windows Home Server.

To eliminate that very artificial restriction, and stay within the EULA, I am going to use server backups.

All the users and systems at MedikLabs log on to the Windows Server 2008 (HP ProLiant ML350 G5), and store data there. The EMR program runs on a Server 2003 box (HP ProLiant ML110 G5), and I have a Windows Server 2008 box (HP ProLiant ML115 G5) there as a OU for Logikworx. The ML350 and ML110 back up to the ML115 which in turn backs up to an HP StorageWorks DAT160 DAT tape drive.

When I found out that I could run WHS Connector on Windows Server, I immediately saw a use for it as an install-and-forget device for smaller companies.

For MedikLabs, this solution would allow me to use the StorageWorks x510 to back up the servers, and my desktop there, a total of four systems, staying well within the Microsoft WHS EULA.

Starting off, I upgraded the MedikLabs EMR program to Windows Server 2008 R2 against the stupid wishes of the EMR’s ISV, and behold, everything has been working great since that day.

I took the StorageWorks x510 Data Vault to MedikLabs for a month of backups.

The x510 was connected to the network there, and I ran WHS Connector on three servers and my desktop there, the HP dc7800.

I set the backup time, and initiated an initial backup.

The x510 went ahead, and did its stuff.

Over the month it was installed at MedikLabs, it just purred all along.

In fact, my thoughts of upgrading the DAT drive to the new DAT 320 or to an Ultirum solution has gone out of the window.

While I still do a weekly backup to tape, it is a result of my old-timer stubbornness.

The effortless way in which the x510 solution backs up data makes me more inclined to specify it for the smaller companies in our client inventory. We can place it, set backup parameters, and manage it form a standoff point via the system’s built-in connectivity functionalities.

We also retain the ability to upgrade the system to larger and faster drives as those are released.

Conclusions

While Microsoft, right now, may officially limit the Windows Home Server software to 10 client systems, an intrepid network architect should be able to skirt that restriction by backing up to the server, and backing up the server(s) with the StorageWorks x510.

It can do the job.

I like the fact that this usage scenario validates the SmallBizWindows Absolute Best award given to the HP StorageWorks x510 Data Vault back in December of 2009.

Equipment used:

• HP ProLiant ML350 G5
• HP ProLiant ML110 G5
• HP ProLiant ML115 G5
• HP Compaq dc7800