6. Introducing Axentra HipServ Home Server

The processing circuitry inside the LaCie Ethernet Disk mini – Home Edition is sufficiently powerful, in fact, that it can run a Debian Linux 2.6 kernel, along with other Linux software. This is precisely where another vendor comes into the picture—namely, Ottawa, Canada-based Axentra—which created the Linux-based HipServ Home Server software that the LaCie Ethernet Disk mini – Home Edition runs to such good effect. Ultimately, it’s the HipServ stuff that makes this $150-200 device both useful and valuable. Here’s a fair smattering of what the HipServ Home Server software delivers:

• Content management: A content upload wizard that enables quick easy file transfer to the unit’s FamilyLibrary (shared) or PersonalLibrary(private) directories. A QuickConnect feature even lets users drag and drop items from or into other folders on both Macintosh and Windows desktops. A pictures wizard lets users upload digital images or video stills, including camera phone files, to the same HipServ folders as well.
• Content search: One of our favorite features is a Web search interface that uses background index tagging to make it easy to find HipServ files by name, artist, date and other characteristics. As media collections get bigger, this capability only becomes more useful.
• Backup/archival: The HipServ includes a couple of useful functions to permit users to back up data to the HipServ Home Server. The MyComputers capability enables users to back up PC or Mac content to the device, and automatically recopies data from the desktop to the HipServ when and as it changes. The DesktopMirror software included in the client package enables a bi-directional sync that keeps a folder on the PC synchronized with a folder on the HipServ. It also supports scheduled backups as well. The USB connector on the HipServ works in this general context, by enabling users to create additional copies of data from the HipServ to whatever device you attach to its USB port.
• Media Server: The HipServ includes a DLNA-compliant media server (Axentra belongs to the Digital Living Network Alliance), which means that not only does this device recognize and classify most common types of digital media (music, video, recorded TV and so forth) it can also deliver that content to any device that supports the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Audio-Video (AV) specification from the UPnP Forum. Today, this includes many types of media players (CD, DVD and so forth), PCs endowed with the right software (chips that support Intel ViiV can run compatible server and/or client software and numerous popular media packages such as Nero also include compatible capabilities) and devices such as the Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3. As an added bonus, the HipServ Home Server also understands iTunes and can index and manage iTunes files for you (and your players) as well; the same goes for Windows Media files. Simply put, this means lots of devices can grab media files from the HipServ and play them back for you.
• Remote Access: Built-in Web-based content sharing and access controls enable owners to share HipServ content (especially digital media) with authorized users across the Internet (part of the setup involves creating a special unique domain name that helps make such access possible). Windows or Mac users with mirrored folders can access them remotely (across the Internet) as well as on a home or office LAN. Likewise, owners can install IP-based Webcams at home or office, then access their views remotely, even from an IP-capable cell phone. Note: successful use of this feature requires a UPnP compliant router or a router that supports port forwarding (optional but convenient for Windows Home Server, this capability is mandatory here; we had to switch routers to make use of this feature from a Netgear FVS124G to a Netgear WGT624).