HP ProLiant MicroServer

Not sure if it's been mentioned, or if anyone here's had the headache, but here's a bit of a PSA: HP released an update to the microserver's BIOS somewhere in mid-November that sorts out the onboard NIC not playing nice with Windows 8/8.1/Server 2012 R2. There's a discussion on the issue on homeservershow here, with the resolution and relevant links contained in that thread's last 8 or so posts.
 
DJ... said:
Anyone know of any deals on the microserver at the moment? I can only find it at ridiculous prices right now. By ridiculous I mean around R6k...:eek:
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Was on special for 1099 in December at one point.
 
brianj74 said:
Just done Ubuntu install with plex. Took a bit of fiddling, mostly to mount the drives, but happy with the result. Streaming to smart tv and phones so far. Next step is a shared backup file for the laptops.
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Plex Client or Plex Server?

If just the server I would highly recommend installing OpenMediaVault instead.
 
brianj74 said:
I installed the server. Why would you recommend OMV?
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Makes the things you want to do very simple via a web interface.

It's basically FreeNAS with media extensions and runs on Debian so anything not available out of the box you can install yourself.

I recently tried to replace OpenElec on mine now that there's a Linux client for Plex Home Theater but I had endless issues and ultimately failed to get the overscan corrected.

It's either the ATI driver itself or the fact that my Onkyo Receiver sits between the PC and TV.

Without the driver installed overscan is fine, but playback impossible. With the driver the displayed image is too small.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Makes the things you want to do very simple via a web interface.

It's basically FreeNAS with media extensions and runs on Debian so anything not available out of the box you can install yourself.

I recently tried to replace OpenElec on mine now that there's a Linux client for Plex Home Theater but I had endless issues and ultimately failed to get the overscan corrected.

It's either the ATI driver itself or the fact that my Onkyo Receiver sits between the PC and TV.

Without the driver installed overscan is fine, but playback impossible. With the driver the displayed image is too small.
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Thanks. May give it a try when I am streaming to roku but works great on ipad iPhone Samsung tv so far.
By then I will maybe figure out what debian and overscan even mean. .;-)
 
Ubuntu is based on Debian. It's the core Linux distribution.

I recommend it now before you get to deep into it. Especially if you don't know Linux too well.
 
HapticSimian said:
Not sure if it's been mentioned, or if anyone here's had the headache, but here's a bit of a PSA: HP released an update to the microserver's BIOS somewhere in mid-November that sorts out the onboard NIC not playing nice with Windows 8/8.1/Server 2012 R2. There's a discussion on the issue on homeservershow here, with the resolution and relevant links contained in that thread's last 8 or so posts.
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Thanks. You're right. Blew in the BIOS update last week and can confirm all NIC issues resolved. Win8.1 now works without issue on my two N40Ls. Server 2012 R2 as well. :)
 
Bit of a noob at this, but just got hold of a 2nd hand N40L. Have a quick question...

Plan on installing 4 x 4TB hard drives in the drive bays. Then I want to add a SSD and Blu Ray writer. My question is, is it better to use the eSATA for the SSD or Blu Ray? I plan on running a eSata to SATA cable back into the case for the blu ray writer/SSD and the internal SATA port for the other device.
 
I use xbmcbuntu for mine. Im familiar with linux so have no issues with configs. I like that my microserver runs at very low loads. The Windows route might be easier for people not familiar with linux.
 
ambroseg1 said:
Bit of a noob at this, but just got hold of a 2nd hand N40L. Have a quick question...

Plan on installing 4 x 4TB hard drives in the drive bays. Then I want to add a SSD and Blu Ray writer. My question is, is it better to use the eSATA for the SSD or Blu Ray? I plan on running a eSata to SATA cable back into the case for the blu ray writer/SSD and the internal SATA port for the other device.
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If you're gonna use the SSD as a boot drive I'd use it on the internal sata port and put the bluray on the esata. Remember you need to enable AHCI for the SSD. AFAIK its not an option for the internal sata port without flashing the modified bios first, which I really suggest you do.

More here: http://homeservershow.com/hp-proliant-n40l-microserver-build-and-bios-modification-revisited.html
And read this: http://homeservershow.com/hp-microserver-n40l-build-and-bios-modification.html
 
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ghoti said:
I use xbmcbuntu for mine. Im familiar with linux so have no issues with configs. I like that my microserver runs at very low loads. The Windows route might be easier for people not familiar with linux.
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I found I had fewer issues on linux once I got it up and running than on windows, but unfortunately linux does not play to nice with ntfs.
 
Nduimiso said:
I found I had fewer issues on linux once I got it up and running than on windows, but unfortunately linux does not play to nice with ntfs.
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In much the same way that EXT3/4 dont play well with windows.
Its all just proprietary filesystems that are used by each OS.
 
Thinking about letting my MS go.

How much do you think I should ask for:
N40L (14 month old or so)
HD6450
250GB HDD
1TB HDD
WiFi adapter
 
Nduimiso said:
I found I had fewer issues on linux once I got it up and running than on windows, but unfortunately linux does not play to nice with ntfs.
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What? Ubuntu comes with NTFS-3G by default so should easily mount and work with NTFS. How does it not play nice with ntfs? If I plugin my NTFS formatted external, I just plug it in and it works without me having to do anything. Is there another problem perhaps?

Rocket-Boy said:
In much the same way that EXT3/4 dont play well with windows.
Its all just proprietary filesystems that are used by each OS.
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I dont think EXT3 and EXT4 are propriety file systems :D They are open source file systems. AFAIK propriety implies a sense of ownership, normally associated with closed source "for profit" systems. But I get your point, you mean its only used by linux :D
 
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Brawler said:
Thinking about letting my MS go.

How much do you think I should ask for:
N40L (14 month old or so)
HD6450
250GB HDD
1TB HDD
WiFi adapter
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Why, if you don't mind me asking? I might be interested if it's at a good price...
 
I have a million and one devices that aren't being used that much.
Shipping might be expensive to JHB.
 
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