Remote access: your home away from home

Now that you understand the many uses of centralizing your content, wouldn't it be nice to take it with you on the road? That's just what you can do. Because the MediaSmart Server is built on Windows Home Server technology, all the files at your home can be accessed via a Web browser. This means you can be hundreds of miles away at your cousin's remote cabin in Wisconsin and, as long as there's Internet access, you can instantly call up a music playlist, access an important file, or even (with some Microsoft operating systems) run a spreadsheet application that is installed on your PC at home. It does this by providing an "always on" connection to the Internet and using built-in remote access tools. Before we look at how you can use it, let's define what remote access is and how it works.

Tool talk

A basic definition for remote access is simply the ability to access a computer or a network from other locations. To do this with the MediaSmart Server you'll need a couple things, most of which you may already have in your home:

• Broadband internet service: In order to have an "always on" connection to your home files, you'll need either DSL or cable broadband Internet service. If you don't yet, go and get it as soon as possible. You'll be glad you did.
• Network router: A router allows you to connect multiple network devices to each other (by Ethernet wires or wirelessly and to your broadband Internet connection. This is how computers and streaming UPnP devices (such as an Xbox 360 or HP MediaSmart TV) communicate with your MediaSmart Server. Most cable/DSL services offer router networks as an additional service, or do it yourself. It's actually one of the easier things to do in the world of computers.

Figure 3 shows you the process of setting up remote access with a MediaSmart server.

Enlarge image

That's it. The MediaSmart simply connects directly to the router and after that it's accessible from anywhere you can connect to the Internet. If you can get online, you can access your entire digital home base. That means that even a cell phone or PDA that runs Windows Mobile or other web-browsing software can call up a document you forgot at home and print it at the office.

In order to actually run an application using MediaSmart Server you will need one of these Microsoft operating systems: Windows XP Professional, Media Center Edition 2004 or higher, or Windows Vista Ultimate or higher.

Share photos and videos remotely with Photo Webshare

Once you have enabled remote access, there are some additional tools available for sharing photos and videos with friends and family. Use HP's Photo Webshare to create exclusive groups that let you share photos with select people or your full contact list. Once you send them a link, they can view, save, and order prints of your photos, or upload their own photos and videos if you give them the option.

You can also access all the iTunes libraries stored on yours MediaSmart Server from any networked computer in the house that has iTunes installed on it.

Safe, secure backup and uploads

All of your files will always be secure because you control the password and user access at all times. This means that you can upload files away from home for safekeeping on your secure MediaSmart Server. As soon as you return home, the MediaSmart Server can be set to back up any new files created while you were away. Windows Home Server software also checks to see that all networked home computers running Windows Vista are using updated anti-virus and security software.

When creating login names and passwords, always choose a complex user name with both upper and lower case letters, in addition to numbers or symbols (such as @ or #).

Next up

Compare the MediaSmart Server to other storage solutions and see how it stacks up. You'll also walk through installation of a MediaSmart Server in a typical home environment.

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