Christopher (Drashna)

As Alex has said, not automatic nightly builds, but pretty close to just normal "nightly" builds.

TapaTalk enabled. As for the HTC one, that's the phone I have and tested on. Should have automatically detected that is was mobile though. As for VPN, PPTP is not completely secure, iirc. But sstp is. As is l2tp. Those are both methods supported by Server. But sstp isn't supported by android. And it plays fine with android. I've been using pptp for a while, and I've never had any issues. But it does require that your server be on to connect. So being able to connect to your router is a better solution, as it will always be on. As for the HTML5 VPN, I haven't had a chance to look into it yet. But I am aware of it.

Odd. Normally, it should auto-detect the mobile device and use the mobile skin. Since it's a tablet, it may not be doing so. Odd though. But we will still pursue TapaTalk, as it is pretty much the defacto standard. And you are very welcome. If you want/need more non-StableBit related help, the Home Server Show forums are a fantastic place (and I frequent there as well). And thank you for the donation. I assure you, it goes to "feeding my tech habits". And bills. And hopefully that upgrading and maintenance is painless for you. I know how it can turn out....

Yup, that would do it. If you need anything else or have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

http://www.mswhs.com/2012/03/setup-a-vpn-for-whs-2011/ As for the remote web login? have you tried "https://servername/remote/"? If that works fine locally, then the issue is with local DNS lookup. Personally, I use "proxy.org" to make sure everything is working properly, as it looks from outside the network. As for the donate button, oops, I forgot to add that back as I was diagnosing an HTTPS issues. Fixed. As for TapaTalk, in the meanwhile, it should have a mobile skin that works better on mobile devices. But I've let alex know, and I'll let him install it at his discretion. As for "off-topic". well, this is the section for off topic.

If you have Real-time duplication enabled (default, I beleive), it will write to both disks in parallel (simultaneously). If it is not enabled, then I believe at 2am, it makes a pass, checks all the files and then duplicates any files that need to be duplicated. This could be VSS files (previous versions), files outside of the pool, or ... discrepancy of actually used space, vs NTFS's reported use space (remember, a 10byte file uses up a full sector, be it a 512bytes or 4kb sector)

However, if the disks are being woken up too frequently, then I'd recommend throttling the SMART queries, or setting it to only query during the work window or when scanning. As for standby, StableBit Scanner does have "Power control" for drives that support it. But this is not always usable depending on the disk (such as my Seagates, that display the settings, but don't let you change them). Aside from that, you can just let Windows handle this, as per normal.

Yeah, I can definitely understand that. However, for migrating... for the most part, it will be this: (optional) unduplicate your pool in Drive Bender (I don't like this, but .... it's the simpliest method) uninstall Drive Bender Install DrivePool Add each disk to a Pool in drivePool Enable "Show Hidden Files" Stop the StableBit DrivePool Service (in Services.msc) Open each disk. There should be a {GUID}, and a "PoolPart.GUID" folder on each disk. Move the contents of the GUID folder (Drive Bender's pool) into the PoolPart.GUID folder Repeat this for each disk. Reset DrivePool's settings: http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_Q2299585B Start the StableBit DrivePool Service back up Change duplication status to what you wish. As you do this, you should notice more and more files appear in the pool. Additionally, you should notice a "duplication" sub-folder in each folder that DriveBender had duplicated. You'll need to either delete these folders, or move the contents into their parent folders. The reason for this is that Drive Bender has a clear definition of "original" and "duplicate" files that it maintains. StableBit DrivePool does not. Each disk is identical in structure and folder layout. So you can understand why I said "just disable duplication first". You may have to go through HUNDREDS of folders to fix this. Or write a script to do so. But I'm not comfortable with scripts that mass delete or move files like this, bad thinks can happen.

Well, I'm not a great person to ask. I leave everything up and running 24/7 and don't worry about idling. Most of my disks are a year or more older, with no issues. But this depends on how you use the system, and how often you access data on the pool.

Did you install the Windows version, or the WHS2011 version? Aka, did it end in ".EXE" or ".WSSX"? If you got the Windows (EXE) version, uninstall it, and then download and install the WHS (WSSX) version. If you had the WHS (WSSX) version, then you need to run the Dashboard in "safe mode". To do this from a client, open the login window for it, and click on the "Options" button. Select the "Allow me to choose which Add-Ins to use" option, and then log in. Make sure that "StableBit Scanner" is enabled.

Well, I'm documenting it for myself, as well as anyone else. I've got a couple of guys very interested it in over at the Home Server Show forums as well. And I've always enjoyed spreading my knowledge. As for the sophos box, feel free to use whatever you want. I just like that one because it's got two NICs already, and is very small and power efficient. Also, I justed added a section about using the firewall on Sophos to allow services through it (it's rather long). As for the VPN, well, you have WHS2011, you could install the Routing and Remote Access role on the server, and set up VPN on that (it supports PPTP, SSTP (preferred), L2TP, and IPSec, IIRC) As for Tapatalk.... I'll inquire of Alex. Shouldn't be an issue.

lol, And yeah, I can't really go back to "spinners" for the system disk. The speed different is just too obvious. And just remember, if you're using feeder disks, you may not see a great increase on modification times, depending on where the files are.

gtechwi, have you used the "fsutil" hack to increase the memory sized used for file operations? If not, that may help performance for you: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc785435.aspx the specific command being "fsutil behavior set memoryusage 2" Also, are you using the most up to date drivers for the controller? But DrParis is right, this wouldn't help as much with modifying, unless the files are left on the SSD/faster drive. In which case, as seperate pool may be a good idea here.

Okay, glad to here it. And if that is the case, then I know know what the issue was here then. Issue #51 in the change log, if you're curious.

Althas, That's unusual. However, it looks like all of these errors are on the same volume, which may indicate an issue with that disk. I'd recommend running chkdsk on that volume. run "cmd /k chkdsk \\?\Volume{13967a4d-9837-4dd9-b69e-e3609c50c4e6} /r" Though, looking at it, you have a "3" outside of the curly brackets, which I don't beleive is normal here. Could you get the tracing logs from the system? http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_2.x_Error_Reports And open a ticket at http://stablebit.com/Contact and attach the logs there (if they're not too large)?

TeeeBear, is this for StableBit DrivePool 1.X? If so, run the "reindex" option, and it should fix the issue. https://app.box.com/s/yp4kbypf2t0ada23qb0z If that doesn't help, the manually rebuild the index: http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_Q7200705B If you're using DrivePool 2.X, then under Pool Options, use the "remeasure" option.

yes, I will be detailing more on my blog. Specifically, I plan on covering how to configure the firewall (both on a per service basis, and how to "make it super simple), and then onto NAT (simple). And then about the web filtering (this may take several parts, because there is a HECK OF A LOT to cover. As for the VPN, I'll have to look into it because I don't actively use it. Specifically, I use Server 2012 (R2) Essentials, which has it's own VPN (PPTP, SSTP, L2TP, and DirectAccess). But it should be simple enough. As for topology, it's rather simple. Cable Modem -> Sophos -> 16 port gigabit switch (ZyXEL?), and then most everything connects directly to that (patch board mounted to wall, with cables from all over the house). Though, a couple locations also have gigabit switches (HTPC area). And I have a linksys wireless router, flashed with DD-WRT set to be just an AP. I can do a chart/graphic, but it's a rather simple setup for the most part. And yes, I'm using a "spinner" for this. As for advantages for an SSD? Less power consumed. Would probably be better with caching files, but otherwise, I don't think it would make any performance boost here. it's a lightweight linux OS.

Yes, that should be the correct setup. Yeah, the "troubleshooting" option isn't on build 432. As for any newer builds, all the relevant links can be found here: http://wiki.covecube.com/Downloads (keep in mind, these are internal beta's and may not be as stable. Also, newest at the bottom) As for why the FSUTIL command is a hack? Because it's "not standard", and falls under the category of "you shouldn't do this if you don't understand it's implications". That said... I've done this on most of my systems. My server has a LOT of spare memory at any given time, and most of the other systems have 8GBs of RAM and maybe use half of it. But again, any usage of "FSUTIL" is basically a "hack". But it definitely sounds like it may be something worth doing on your system. Just make sure you have plenty of memory available for this.

That's ... odd. It shouldn't do that. If it happens again, could you get a memory dump of Scanner? http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_Scanner_Freeze

While this isn't exactly the case, it should give you a good idea of what to do: http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_Q5463715

Well, glad that I could help out then! And yes, I was running on a Firebox (x Peak e series). And as for the new box, yeah, I definitely saw a definitely improvement to speed. Where as with pfsense, I didn't really. And the box apparently idles at about 15W (according to newegg reviews). So I'm very happy with the new box. Also, it has a VGA port, which makes installation and maintenance on it much easier. But it runs at less than 20% CPU, and at about 1.5GBs of RAM used (out of 2). It's been great. Untangle is a pretty good solution as well, but Sophos comes with the firewall, web filtering, and anti virus for 50 devices for free (for home use). IIRC, most of that is trial or rather expensive on Untangle.

Welcome, and thank you for considering our products! To answer your questions: We do not have a concept of primary or second files when it comes to duplication. At best, we will read from the faster disk, or from both, depending This means that recovery from a lost drive is trivial at best. The existing files are checked for their duplication status, and then copied to another drive, as needed http://stablebit.com/Support/DrivePool/2.X/Manual?Section=File%20Protection Yes, "read Striping", and as I mentioned, it will read from the faster drive if one of the drives is slower, or it will cache the files to memory and read it from there. More details about it can be found here: http://stablebit.com/Support/DrivePool/2.X/Manual?Section=Performance%20Options There is an "Archive Optimizer" balancer plugin that you can install. This balancer allows you to create a "feeder disk" or "landing zone disk", which files are written to and then later moved off of. Add a RAID0 array (or two) or a couple of SSDs, and you'll get much better writes. If Scanner finds damaged sections on the disk (as in bad sectors), by default it will start "evacuating" the drive. You can change this behavior, if wished (such as move out only unduplicated data). Additionally, you can (optionally) configured DrivePool to evacuate the drive on SMART errors. And you can set DrivePool to avoid placing new files on drives that have exceeded their rated temperature limit. (as these drives are statistically more likely to fail). DrivePool does this automatically, and daily. If it detects issues, it will let you know. Or if it's missing a duplicate, it will automatically copy it to another disk. And here is the link again: http://stablebit.com/Support/DrivePool/2.X/Manual?Section=File%20Protection I think I've answered everything and adequately. If not, then please ask away. Or if you have any more questions. As for migrating... somebody else asked this recently. And the best answer I have (and this isn't a good one) is to disable duplication on Drive Bender, completely. And then migrate the pool.

I keep on forgetting about that solution. It's meant to function much the same way that Drive Extender, StableBit Drivepool and Drive Bender work. Though I do get a kick out of the HP MSS image that they us on their page. But I can't speak for it's stability or usability or anything. I'm a Windows guy.

Yup, Shane is absolutely correct here.

Yes and no. Alex is very busy "at home" right now (if he wishes to go into detail, he can, but I'm not in the habit of divulging personal information), and once he's settled everything down, he does plan on "hitting the code hard" and fixing most of the current issues, and yes, pushing out release builds. But I can't give an ETA on that, sorry. As for VSS support, there is documentation on how to connect to the VSS service, and how to use it, and write filters for it and the like. But there is ABSOLUTELY NO information on how to support it on the file system level. Which means figuring out how to write a driver to support it is extremely difficult, at best. And just to make you feel better, I do keep on bugging Alex about VSS support, because it would be very nice to have.