A Quick Look at the Tranquil PC SSM (Safe Server Module) for Windows Home Server
05. Feb, 2010 | by Andrew Edney |
14 Comments
A couple of weeks ago we reported on the news that Tranquil PC were launching something to help protect your Windows Home Server known as the Safe Server Module, or SSM.
Here is what we said about the SSM:
The SSM is designed specifically to be housed in a SQA-5H Home Server.
(It may be possible to fit it to other Home Servers too)It comes delivered with 2x 500GB 2.5” HDDs, prepared in a RAID1 mirror array, including a Tranquil build of Windows Home Server (PP3) for either the Series 1 or Series 2 SQA-5H.
It can simply be added to an existing SQA-5H – and the Server initialised again (loosing the DATA), or you can Restore the Home Server with the supplied new DVD, with the SSM fitted and recover your DATA *
Priced at £169.00 + VAT, the SSM represents excellent value for money, bearing in mind the system protection it offers, and ease of replacement of the primary (OS + DATA) HDD. You also will receive a desktop application to help you to monitor the SSM, and also setup email messaging to alert you to the status of the SSM. You will also be able to re-use your existing HDD1 as a server storage or backup drive !
Well today I managed to get my hands on one (this is the point where Diehard will now email me loads of questions – go ahead buddy, I’m ready!) 
WHATS IN THE BOX?
The box itself is a small, plain affair and the contents are the SSM (including 2 x 500 GB HDDs in a RAID 1 mirror), and small manual a Windows Home Server Recovery DVD which includes both SSM support and the AVA Media CD.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SSM
The SSM itself is the size of a hard drive and contains 2 x 500 GB drives).
FINAL THOUGHTS
The SSM is small, light and it is very easy to remove and replace the drives it comes with, in the event of a failure.
Before I play around with it in my SQA-5H, I am going to see if it fits in some of the other Home Servers.
If you want to order an SSM, you can do so by clicking here. The price is £169.00 (Excluding VAT at 17.5%).
More later…….
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Nice one Andrew, thanks.
Ok, looks like brushed aluminium. not plastic, right ?
Can you replace the 500 gig drives with SSD drives ?
Does it fit in the MediaSmart or Acer boxes ?
Would you recommend replacing the drives with 2 really small drives such as 60 drives to keep as much of the D:\ off the system drive ?
Will Tranquil sell only the case ? for those that have extra laptop drives.
Hey John
Got some answers for you:
Ok, looks like brushed aluminium. not plastic, right ? yes the case is an alloy extrusion (heat dispersion)
Can you replace the 500 gig drives with SSD drives ? you could – but why ?
Would you recommend replacing the drives with 2 really small drives such as 60 drives to keep as much of the D:\ off the system drive ?
minimum is 80GB for WHS – and we have long term tested with 2x 80GB, it’s OK, but the primary D: can fill up, and demigrator can take some time to move it off – personally use 250 / 320 or 500G
I understand the question, but the only real benefit is that the smaller disks take less time to re-build / verify if one needs to be replaced.
Will Tranquil sell only the case ? for those that have extra laptop drives.
At the moment the answer is no, for a number of reasons – we are hopefully getting a new SSM module within 8-12 weeks, and we may make this one available ‘as is’ but it does depend on a number of technical queries being resolved
Andrew
Thank you very much for your test.
May you tell me if SSM fit into my HP Smart Server 475?
Antonio
Hi Antonio
Just testing against some other servers now, I will post another article in an hour or so.
Andrew
Yes, it will, see my new post: http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2010/02/05/the-tranquil-pc-ssm-and-other-windows-home-servers/
Andrew
I have the Sans Digital IR12TB from mwave in the US. It is basically the same thing without drives. I put 2 250GB Western Digital Scorpio Blue drives in it. I tested out scenarios of each drive failing as the system drive in WHS and repeated the process several times. Each time the device rebuilt the RAID 1 array successfully. However, it does take a while to rebuild it. It is the same exact size as a 3.5 inch drive. It will even mount into a 3.5 inch hot swap bay. I bought this because I did not want to wait for the SSM. I do think the SSM is priced well though. After hearing about this I researched the device and there are many of these devices available. Most of them look the same so I think they use the same case and possibly their own chipset. I have always been frightened of having to reinstall my WHS OS if my drive failed. Now I have a piece of mind.
thanks Kevin
Regarding the price, it does also include a Server rebuild DVD with SSM support, where as a home built version wouldnt have that – although if you knew what you were doing it wouldnt be a major issue.
My guess is that people who want the assurances will be happy to pay a reasonable price.
Andrew
Ooops, should have mentioned great post! Waiting for the next post!
I see a mini USB connector, can it be used as a bus powered usb drive?
Craig
I plugged it into my Windows 7 box and it was recognised, Im just not sure why you would want to use this in that way?
Andrew
Thanks Andrew, Errrr!!! I am not sure either just saw the connector on the back and thought I would ask. Actually I notice this is the same as the Jou-Jye JJ-1225SUSRI. Seems a fantastic Idea for any OS disk. But why USB???
My pleasure
Yeah, I saw it and thought the same, and was happy to test it
and I agree – why USB?
Andrew