Setting up Windows Home Server to back up client computers

Published: August 12, 2009

Applies To: Windows SBS 2008

First, install the Windows Home Server Connector software onto each client computer that you want to back up. The Connector software connects your client computer to Windows Home Server. Windows Home Server then automatically backs up your client computer, monitors its health, and enables you to configure and to remotely administer Windows Home Server from your client computer. The Connector software also installs the Windows Home Server console and adds the Windows Home Server icon to the notification area.

To install and set up the Windows Home Server Connector software

  1. Install the Windows Home Server Connector software onto the client computers that you want to back up by using either of the following methods:

    • Use the Search text box

      1. On the client computer, click Start, in the Search text box type the following, and then press ENTER:

        \\<Server name for Windows Home Server>\software\Home Server Connector software

      2. Double-click setup.exe.

    • Use Windows Explorer

      1. On the client computer, open Windows Explorer.

      2. Click Network.

      3. Double click the name of the server that is running Windows Home Server.

      4. The Windows Home Server Welcome page opens.

      5. Click https://<Windows_Home_Server_name>:55000/. The Windows Home Server Connector Setup page opens.

      6. Click Download Now to download the Connector software.

  2. On the Home Computer Wake Up page, choose one of the following:

    • Yes, wake up this computer if it is in sleep or hibernate mode and back it up.

    • No, only back up this computer if it is turned on.

    Note that some computers do not return to sleep or hibernate mode after a backup.

When you install the Windows Home Server Connector software, the following are also installed on the client computer:

  • The Windows Home Server console, where you can manage the client computer backups.

  • The Windows Home Server icon in the notification area, for convenient access to the Windows Home Server console.

    To access the Windows Home Server console from the notification area, right-click the Windows Home Server icon, and then click Windows Home Server Console.

Tip

If you cannot connect to your home server from a client computer, check your firewall or antivirus settings on the client computer. Ensure that the client computer allows the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) using TCP port 3389.

To avoid confusion, clear the **Display Network Health Notifications** option in the menu. You can view the status of the backups of all client computers in the Windows Home Server console.

For more information about how to install Windows Home Server and the Connector software, see Getting Started (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=89784).