Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. Couldn't get any help from other tech forums about this subject, so I thought I'd try this forum since it looks much more technical about servers.
Quickly here are the specs for the server:
-AMD A8-3870k with a Gigabyte FM1 mobo
-4 gigs of Kingston RAM
-2 WD 2T green HDD's, 1 Seagate 2T 5900RMP HDD, 1 Seagate 320gig 2.5inch (for OS)
-500W Fractal PSU, and NZXT Tempest case.
-No raid card, I'm going to set up software RAID 5 (I know this is not the best)
The server is connected to the router (ASUS RT-N56U) by Ethernet. My main PC, and other 3 PC's in the house are connected by WAN.
I'm having some troubles with setting up a home server for myself using Widows Server 2012 Essentials and I really need help. I installed WS 2012 essentials and tried to just follow instructions in the Dashboard to start configuring it. When I added my main PC to the server, it changed my start up screen, so now I had to log in either locally or as one of the server accounts. I do not want this, I want my main rig to go straight to Desktop when I boot it up. When I tried to reverse this on my main PC, long story short... many things went wrong and now I'm burning a WIN 8 DVD to make a fresh install. So now I would like to get some help to help me decided what to do.
This is what I want from a home server:
-My main pc to go straight to Desktop at launch (log into my local admin account automatically)
-To access data on the server easily. Preferably have like a "Shared Folder" next to all my drives in "My Computer".
-Automated Back-ups on all the local computers in the house.
-Access the server to play movies and access files. Preferably through a Browser (I could settle for VPN).
-Preferably have a build in remote desktop and VPN.
-Easy management and set-up? plz? School just started...
Can Windows Server 2012 Essentials be configured to do these things? Should I try using Windows Home Server 2011? Any help would be greatly appreciated.