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UGREEN Brand User Q&A – Questions About the New DXP NASync NAS Storage Solution

Par : Rob Andrews
14 mars 2024 à 16:00

Your Questions for UGREEN about their New NAS Solution

IMPORTANT March 22 UpdateThe UGREEN DXP4800 PLUS NAS Review is NOW LIVE, watch it HERE, read it HERE and learn about the Software HERE and HERE

With UGREEN still in the process of launching their Kickstarter campaign for a new NAS Storage Solution (the DXP NASync series) to market, many users (myself included) have a lot of questions about the product. Let’s face it, we are not talking about a standard ‘over the counter’ purchase where – this is CROWDFUNDING! Therefore, users need to take extra care and caution before considering putting down money (remember, crowdfunding is not the same as eRetail!). Alot of users want to know just what the UGREEN DXP NAS Storage solution can do, what it can’t do, UGREEN’s plans for the future and…at a very basic level… is the UGREEN NAS actually a ‘thing’! People have been burnt by crowdfunding before, plus UGREEN has no previous recognized experience in the world of NAS, They are definitely SIGNIFICANTLY more established in the tech market (12 years) than many other crowdfunded NAS/Private Cloud solutions that have popped up in the last 1-2 years to challenge the likes of Synology and QNAP, but this is their first NAS. Heck, it’s actually 4-5 different NAS’ arriving at launch – that’s a big, big undertaking! So, l asked you guys to fire me over as many questions as possible to ask the brand directly, and you did not disappoint! I have taken the many, MANY questions that were submitted and condensed them into the 20 questions below. With the crowdfunding launch for their product arriving towards the end of the month. many of the questions below represent users’ reservations and dealbreakers before they are prepared to engage with the brand, the solution and the launch! So, let’s go through the brand’s responses to your Questions.

UGREEN NAS Brand Q&A – The TL;DR

IMPORTANT – The Ugreen Q&A Video goes into ALOT more detail in the responses to each question, so if you want MORE detail, then do watch it HERE and use the chapters on the bottom of the video

I GET IT! You are in a rush! So, here is the short version, the skinny, the cliff notes! I asked 20 questions in total (slightly more in the zoom recording coming to YouTube), and here is the summary of their answers in bullet points:

  • Kickstarter Launch: UGREEN chose Kickstarter to engage with consumers early, gather feedback before official launch, and because other well-known brands have also launched products via crowdfunding.
  • Connectivity: The NAS device supports Thunderbolt connection for host use only, with plans to expand its capabilities. WiFi 6E support on the DXP480T Flash system allows connections both to and from the system, as well as to a router.
  • Third-Party OS Installation: Installing third-party operating systems, like UnRAID or TrueNAS, is not officially supported and voids the warranty. *Update on the use of 3rd Party OS’ on UGREEN NAS with hardware, with regard to warranty*: “The Ugreen team confirms that whatever is promised in their warranty policy will not change, which only covers the hardware. They also mention that there is a risk of damage if you install a third-party OS, including data loss and compatibility issues, etc.” – Ugreen Representative, 26/3/24
  • Availability: Initially, the product is available only in Germany, with plans to expand to more regions based on demand.
  • Security: UGREEN is focusing on financial-grade security standards, working on EN303645 and TruestE certification, and plans to enhance security features continuously.
  • Additional Options and Hardware Information: A PledgeBox option will be added during the campaign for adding HDDs and SSDs. Detailed PCIe lane layouts will be available in the product manuals.
  • Remote Access: The UGREEN Link service allows remote access to the NAS via a custom domain name after account registration.
  • Power Consumption: Details on power consumption will be included in the product manual, with specifics available upon request.
  • Kickstarter Campaign Delay: The campaign was delayed to incorporate user feedback on the app for a better user experience.
  • UGREEN OS Features: Support for automatic on/off schedules, SSD caching, full phone storage backup, online data scrubbing/checksumming with BTRFS, and basic to complex RAID configurations.
  • Native Applications and Functions: The NAS will feature a smart assistant for AI-based smart recognition and classification, virtualization, Docker support, and NFS protocol support, but lacks iSCSI support.
  • Future Developments: Some features, like full phone backup and virtualization/Docker support, are still under development.

So, some GOOD news, some BAD news and some ‘TBC’ news. Let’s dig more into the actual Q&A itself and go through those questions, one by one.

The Q&A with UGREEN – Answering Your Questions about their NAS Solution

Below is the written response provided to me by the HQ (handled by Diana An, a Marketing Specialist in conjunction with their product management teams) of UGREEN after submitting my questions, collected from user comments (HERE and HERE) between March 4th and 10th 2024. There is also a Zoom session with UGREEN that will be live soon/now that goes into much greater detail and analysis of these questions and answers, conducted with Hernan Lopez, a U.S.-based UGREEN representative. Questions were provided in advance to UGREEN 48 hours in advance of the Zoom session (timezone dependent) in order to allow UGREEN time to sufficiently source adequate answers. The questions and answers below are provided unedited and unchallenged, but further investigation was conducted in the Zoom recording that is/will be available on the NASCompares Youtube Channel HERE. I should also add that UGREEN has provided me with a DXP4800 PLUS and a DXP480T NAS unit for testing and evaluation, which I will be publishing videos and articles on later this month (hopefully, prior to the launch of the campaign) in order to evaluate these pre-release units and assess the quality of the hardware, software and viability of the solution.

Additionally, I would like to thank the many channel viewers and subscribers for providing the questions for this Q&A. There were around 100+ in total, so I was forced to consolidate them (merging similar/identical questions together, or answering less debated/unanswered questions in those comments of the initial posts (again, see HERE and HERE). Questions below have been credited to numerous YouTube members (denoted by the @ prefix, with my own name there too), but in many cases, the questions were asked by many, many users (eg why Kickstarter?), so I have attributed to just the first 2-3 users). Here is the Q&A:


Why Kickstarter?

  • Why Is UGREEN bringing this NAS solution to Kickstarter/Crowdfunding? UGREEN is an established brand, so why use Crowdfunding for this new product line?

@grege9862 , @InspectorGadget2014

Firstly, The UGREEN NASync is our new product line and we can have pre-connection and pre-communication with the consumers and get their feedback in advance before we bring it on Kickstarter. Secondly, many well-known brands also launched their new product line on kickstarter/Crowdfunding.


  • How is the Thunderbolt connection handled, is it host-only use, or can you connect to it over Thunderbolt (point to point) with a Mac or Windows system?

@michaelpaolini , @ajrfilm9951

Currently, Thunderbolt connection for our device is host only, and can be used for external storage. But some features like Thunderbolt Networking are in our development plan.


  • Same question as above, but for the WiFi 6E support on the DXP480T Flash system – Does this allow connections both TOO the system from a user AND connections for the NAS to a Router?

@DIGIBITE (Eddie!)

The wifi on our 480T device supports both functions above.


  • Is installing 3rd Party OS’, such as UnRAID and TrueNAS, possible and will UGREEN still support the user’s hardware 2-year warranty if they do so?

(@LacayoDe , @herbentroost427, @ghostbaleada , @misku_ , @ttuschak

UPDATE 26/03/24 The position of UGREEN on the use of 3rd Party OS Use on their NAS hardware (with regard to hardware warranty) has changed since this Q&A.: “The Ugreen team confirms that whatever is promised in their warranty policy will not change, which only covers the hardware. They also mention that there is a risk of damage if you install a third-party OS, including data loss and compatibility issues, etc.” – Ugreen Representative, 26/3/24

Unfortunately, modifying the built-in system is not officially supported. It’s not suggested to do so. If users insist on doing it, they will lose the warranty permanently.


  • Why is the Product currently only available to buyers in Germany and the United States, and not the rest of Europe, Australia, and more? Will this change?

@TheFric , @rogerwagner8498 , @ghostbaleada , @misku_ , @herbentroost427 , @ajrfilm9951

Our products are still in their infancy, and when expectations are good, we will gradually expand markets in more regions.


  • What provisions and plans do UGREEN have in place for their systems with regard to security? i.e what is “Financial Grade Security”, will they be publishing security advisories, pen testing, etc?

@michaelpaolini

We will be referring to Professional-grade security standards and continuously optimizing and improving the system’s security features. Currently we are also working on the certification of EN303645 and TruestE.

NOTE from Robbie – This question was expanded upon in the YouTube Q&A, and I recommend watching HERE for a fuller response to this question


  • Will UGREEN be adding a PledgeBox option during their campaign to allow users to add HDDs and SSDs?

@famoussasjohn

Yes, we will add the PledgeBox option during the campaign.


Source www.techpowerup.com
  • Can you provide a breakdown of the PCIe lane layout of each system?

@Latino3650 , @GroundDwellerStudioS

We will have hardware product manuals that will contain device information. The product manual is currently in the editing process. Which model of product do you want to know about? We can send it to you separately first.


  • How will remote access to the UGREEN NAS be conducted via UGREEN services?

@michaelpaolini

To use the UGREEN Link service, you need to register a UGREEN Link account first, then log in to the control panel of the NAS device and set a custom domain name. After applying the settings, you will be assigned the corresponding domain name for remote access.


  • Can you provide further clarification on the power consumption of your devices, even as a level benchmark of a fully populated device during active/passive activity?

@Butyouveheardofme3486 , iVuehl

This information will be described in the product manual, similar to the PCIe issue. If you would like to know about a specific model, we can send it to you separately.


  • Why was the launch of your Kickstarter campaign delayed?

@nascompares

During the public beta period, we collected some user experience optimization suggestions for the App. And we hope to deliver a version with a better experience to everyone, so we delayed the launch for half a month.


  • Does the UGREEN os allow automatic on/off schedule

@overclocked9033

Yes, UGREEN OS supports this schedule and you can customise it in the control panel.


  • Is SSD Cache Supported?

@Fan_de_Parcs

Yes

Yes, you can use a SSD either for cache or storage usage. However, you can’t use the same drive for both caching and storage purposes.


  • Will the mobile software support full phone storage backup?

@Fan_de_Parcs

Yes, this backup function is in our plan and still under development.


  • Does their native OS use a filesystem that can do online data scrubbing / checksumming to detect errors? e.g. BTRFS or ZoL

@Dreamslacker

UGREEN OS supports BTRFS in terms of data scrubbing / checksumming.


  • Will RAID expansion be possible (i.e adding more drives to an existing RAID Pool)

Not possible yet.

(NOTE FROM Me/ Robbie – In a recent software update, I found that a new option is in place for expansions, but it is still WiP. It seems to only reflect INSIDE the system and not a physically connected external expansion however, i.e needs empty bays. See Below)


  • Will you be providing/supporting a flexible RAID system (comparable to Synology Hybrid RAID or Terramaster TRAID)?

@doppelherz

Basic,JBOD,Raid0,Raid1,Raid5,Raid6,Raid10 are supported.


  • On their Kickstarter page is mention of an AI integrated smart assistant, we are curious to know what that means?

@thomasm964

AI Smart Recognition & Classification(without Internet connection), search Pictures by Text. Search for photos of pets, fruits, vehicles or more simply by entering search keywords. Use smart recognition to create photo albums that intelligently identify and classify faces, places, animals, and more. AI service are going to operate in-system and without internet connectivity. If an app or service is installed on the system that requires internet connectivity, this will be made clear in the app release notes and controllable on the system GUI


  • Will there be virtualization and docker support out of the box?

@cyberlando

Yes, virtualization and docker will support out of the box. However, this is still early stage of our beta and these 2 functions are still under development.


  • What is the support/status of NFS Support or iSCSI Target/LUNs?

@dozix88

UGREEN NAS supports the NFS protocol, including NFSv3, NFSv4, NFSv4.1, while iSCSI is not supported.


How much will the UGreen NASync Series Cost and When Will It Launch?

The UGreen NASync series is poised to make a notable entrance into the NAS market with a range of devices that cater to different storage and performance needs. With the Kickstarter launch prices set attractively at $239.99 for the entry-level DXP2800 and scaling up to $899.99 for the high-end DXP8800 Plus, UGreen is competitively positioning its products. The mid-range DXP4800 and DXP4800 Plus are tagged at $359.99 and $419.99 respectively, while the specialized NVMe-focused DXP480T Plus is introduced at $479.99. Post-crowdfunding, the retail prices, also known as the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are expected to be significantly higher—almost doubling for some models, like the DXP2800 with an MSRP of $399 and the DXP8800 Plus which will retail for $1499. This pricing strategy not only provides an incentive for early backers but also underscores the value proposition of getting in early on the Kickstarter campaign. Nevertheless, THIS IS CROWDFUNDING and therefore not the same as buying from your usual retail outlet, be aware. UGreen is tapping into the growing buzz of middle-ground solutions between turnkey options from Synology/QNAP and BYO/DiY options that retire time and knowledge to build. If you are on the fence, there isn’t a tremendous rush, as crowdfunding officially begins on March 26th (see link below). We will be keeping an eye on this one as the weeks go on!

Click the Link Below to find out more about the UGREEN NASync NAS Series on the brand’s official Site:


 

 

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions
If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a ☕ Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  
 
Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US
    
 
Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

☕ WE LOVE COFFEE ☕

 

Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure Released

Par : Rob Andrews
5 mars 2024 à 17:00

The Jonsbo N4 6/8-Bay NAS Enclosure has been Revealed

The Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure marks an addition to the brand’s lineup, featuring cube-shaped Micro-ATX cases designed specifically for DIY NAS server builds. These enclosures are available in two colours: black and white, each incorporating a distinctive design that includes a classy wood embellishment on the front side of the upper compartment.

UPDATE – The Jonsbo N4 NAS Case is Now Available to Buy on AliExpress HERE

UPDATE 2  – The Jonsbo N4 NAS Case REVIEW is NOW LIVEHERE on YouTube, or HERE as a written article on NASCompares

Model: N4 (Black / White)

Dimensions: 286mm (W) x 300mm (D) x 228mm (H) / Material: 0.7mm Steel + Wood, Weight: 3.75kg

Storage: 6x 3.5″ HDD slots + 2x 2.5″ SSD slots

Motherboard: ITX / Micro-ATX

Ports: 1x Type-C USB, 1x USB 3.0 Type-A

PSU: SFX (up to 125mm in length) / Maximum CPU Cooler Height: ≤70mm

PCI Expansion: x4 , Maximum Graphics Card Length: ≤230mm

Cooling: 1x 120mm fan (built-in)

Check AliExpress HERECheck Amazon HERE

Jonsbo N4 NAS Case Design

The case supports a Micro-ATX motherboard tray, low-profile expansion cards, and offers compatibility for CPU coolers up to 70 mm in height. The inclusion of eight drive caddies, with six designated for 3.5-inch drives and two for 2.5-inch drives, all equipped with SATA 6 Gbps backplanes for hot-plugging, underlines its focus on storage flexibility.

One of the key features of the N4 series is its storage capacity, which includes eight drive bays in total. This comprises six 3.5-inch bays and two 2.5-inch bays, all equipped with SATA 6 Gbps backplanes for hot-plugging capabilities. This configuration allows for a versatile setup of storage drives, meeting the demands for high storage capacity in NAS applications. The design ensures that these drive bays are easily accessible and maintained, promoting a user-friendly experience for installing and upgrading storage devices.

Cooling is managed within the enclosure by a single, built-in 120mm fan located at the rear, aimed at providing sufficient airflow to maintain optimal operating temperatures for the drives and other internal components. The enclosure’s cooling system is further supported by its design, which includes a perforated front panel for the lower compartment housing the drive bays and additional perforations along the sides and top of the upper compartment. This design choice aids in effective cooling, crucial for the reliability and longevity of the NAS server built within.

Jonsbo N4 NAS Case Connections

For connectivity and external interfaces, the N4 NAS Enclosure is equipped with a type-A USB 3.2 port and a USB 3.2 type-C port, conveniently located on the classy wood embellishment at the front side of the upper compartment. This choice of materials and placement not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the case but also ensures easy access to the ports for quick connections. The inclusion of these modern USB standards caters to the need for high-speed data transfer, a significant aspect for NAS systems that handle large volumes of data.

In terms of compatibility, the N4 series supports MicroATX and Mini-ITX motherboard form factors, with accommodation for up to four low-profile expansion slots. It allows for the installation of graphics cards up to 230 mm in length and CPU coolers up to 70 mm in height, as well as SFX power supplies with a maximum depth of 125 mm. While these specifications may limit some options for high-end components, they are adequate for building a compact and efficient NAS system.

The Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure provides a balanced solution for users looking to assemble a NAS server with a focus on storage capacity, cooling efficiency, and a compact footprint.

When Will the Jonsbo N4 NAS Case Be Released and the Price?

Regarding price and availability, the cost of the Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure is yet to be confirmed (TBC), but potential buyers can anticipate a price point similar to the previously released Jonsbo N3 model. The initial release is expected to be available through popular online platforms such as Aliexpress and Amazon, which are often the first to stock new products from Jonsbo. This approach allows for wider availability and accessibility to a global audience eagerly awaiting new NAS solutions. The full release and widespread availability of the Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure are projected for Spring 2024, aligning with the company’s strategy to introduce innovative products in a timely manner. As anticipation builds, NASCompares plans to conduct a thorough review of the enclosure, offering insights and evaluations to potential users. This forthcoming review will provide valuable information on the N4’s performance, build quality, and overall value, assisting in informed decision-making for those considering this enclosure for their NAS server builds.

(White) Check AliExpress $75.36

Check Amazon HERE

(Black) Check AliExpress $79.99

Check Amazon HERE

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions
If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a ☕ Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  
 
Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US
    
 
Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

☕ WE LOVE COFFEE ☕

 

The Storaxa Kickstarter NAS – 12 Months Later

Par : Rob Andrews
5 janvier 2024 à 16:34

Storaxa NAS – What Has Happened in the First 12 Months?

The Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign, initiated by Arrowtrack in 2023, marked its first year as a significant entry in the realm of crowdfunding projects. This article aims to methodically dissect the unfolding events and key developments of this period, maintaining a neutral and factual stance throughout. Over these 12 months, the campaign navigated through various challenges and milestones, characteristic of many crowdfunded endeavors. Central to the whole campaigns woes were the reported financial difficulties encountered, notably the withholding of funds by the payment processor Stripe. This situation precipitated a series of delays in production and delivery, directly impacting the campaign’s trajectory. Concurrently, communication between Arrowtrack and its backers was a focal point, with periods of minimal updates and responses raising questions among the project’s supporters. Arrowtrack’s efforts to keep backers informed included regular updates on the production process, supplier negotiations, and hardware design adjustments. Despite these attempts at transparency, there remained an undercurrent of concern among backers regarding the campaign’s financial management and documentation.

This article attempts to present an unbiased chronicle of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign’s first year, tracing its highs and lows. It seeks to provide readers with a clear, unvarnished understanding of the events as they unfolded, reflecting the complexities and challenges inherent in the world of crowdfunding technology projects.

Currently, at the time of writing (Jan 5th 2024) the status of the Storaxa Kickstarter campaign is not entirely clear. Updates are arriving on average twice a month (based on an annual average). Delivery/fulfillment timelines are still tremendously vague, and communication between the campaign organization Arrowtrak/Storaxa and the 4,900+ backers has slowed down significantly with self-imposed deadlines and schedules being regularly broken. This campaign is still showing life and there is still more than enough evidence to backup that this is NOT a scam. However, long-running silence periods from the company, poor timekeeping and comparisons that are being drawn to other projects that have arisen in 2023 (both crowdfunded and straight to retail) have resulted in questions being asked and no answers being given. Let’s start right at the beginning and discussing what the Sotraxa IS/WAS and how the campaign started.

NOTE – You can watch the full 4 HOUR video that covers everything that happened in the first 12 months of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS Campaign HERE

The Storaxa NAS Kickstarter from Feb 2023 – What is/was it?

What is the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS and why is it a big deal to alot of potential storage buyers? Well, let’s rewind a bit. If you want to own a private network attached storage (NAS) solution in your home or office, until relatively recently, you only really had two options. The easiest, but more expensive option is to buy a ready-to-go NAS solution from the likes of Synology or QNAP, which is a ready-to-go out-the-box, arriving with its own software and services included (more often referred to as a ‘turnkey’ solution). Alternatively, the more affordable option, but more technically challenging, is to build your own server (or repurpose old tech) and then install open-source software onboard, such as TrueNAS or UnRAID. One option easy but expensive, the other way is cheaper but features a substantially higher learning curve. So, what is the solution? Well, in the last year or two we have seen big increases in a 3rd option, a middle ground between Turnkey NAS and FULL DiY, in the form of NAS servers from companies such as Topton and CWWK (we reviewed one here), which are ready-built desktop NAS devices (CPU, Memory, OS SSD, etc), but either arriving completely OS-free or include popular Open-Source software preinstalled. These solutions not only arrive at an overall price point lower than turnkey NAS (which needs to factor in the software costs and continued technical/software support), but they more often than not arrive with even better hardware too. Better CPU choices, better default connectivity and all of this whilst allowing OpenSource software users to skip the whole ‘build the thing from scratch’ element and get thermal paste under their fingernails! So, what has the Storaxa Kickstarter got to do with this?

Well, because it arrives as one of the most compelling examples of this growing 3rd option open to potential NAS buyers that we have seen. With the Kickstarter campaign arriving at frankly incredibly low price points, even when compared against the numerous alternatives available on Aliexpress etc, as well as a dual OS (proxmox) and Dual network management/NAS architecture too thanks to WiFi antenna, few NAS solutions have promised to delivery so much for so little. So, what’s the catch? Well, Kickstarter! Like any crowdfunded project, the solution is a crowd-funded project that lacks the guarantee of a refund if the campaign is unsuccessful or suitable recompense if the eventual product does not meet its promises. So, thanks to alot of regular subscribers to the YouTube channel highlighting this project, doubts in the air around pricing, all alongside some interesting back-and-forth with the creators, I want to follow the progress of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS right to when/if it crosses the finish line. Maybe it will be the breaking point for a new kind of solution that established names in the industry wake up and smell the coffee over? Maybe it will not and these videos and paragraphs will simply form a record of what when right and what went wrong. Regardless, it will be interesting to find out!

Storaxa NAS – Too Good to be True? The Initial Pitch

The initial campaign from the Storaxa group for this NAS was made up of several elements. It arrived with a production video that made the system look easy to use and access, not uncommon in this kind of kickstart project presentation. The initial general outlined specifications were:

Base/Entry Storaxa NAS Specifications

  • Linux OS (Promox Base, TrueNAS Scale & OpenWRT VMs)
  • Max 142TB Storage
  • 5xHDD
  • 4xSSD
  • TrueNAS
  • WiFi 6E
  • 2x 10GbE + 4x 2.5GbE
  • Intel & AMD CPU
  • SD + MicroSD Card Reader

The design is pretty much the main thing that stood out. The actual casing, at least as far as a 5x SATA bay chassis) is fairly standard, but it is only when you factor in the additional 4x M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD bays and twin rear dual band antenna that the unique design that is being proposed here standards out notably.

Sketches and 3D plans of the Stroaxa NAS chassis were shown, as well as a breakdown of the main component placement on the internal motherboard were also shown. This was one area where questions arose around PCIe lane distribution and potential heat concerns around the project. Some of these concerns were answered in the comments section, whilst others were approached in the backers-only section. Kind of odd that 

Here is the breakdown of the hardware in the base line Storaxa NAS (further configurations were rolled out later on after a backer poll was conducted):

Hardware Specifications of Initially Proposed System:

  • Intel N6005 Pentium Silver CPU (Quad Core, x86, 2.0 – 3.3Ghz)
  • Integrated Graphics, 450Mhz – 900Mhz
  • 16GB 3200Mhz SODIMM (non-ECC) Memory
  • Five SATA 3.5″ Hard Drive Bays (2.5″ SSD with adapter)
  • Four M.2 NVMe SSD 2280 Slots (Gen 3)
  • Internal 128/120GB SSD (OS Drive, OverP Considerations)
  • WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Twin External Antenna and Dual Band
  • 4x 2.5GbE Network Connections
  • HDMI 2.0 4K 60FPS (+DP)
  • 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) Type A/C and 2x USB 2.0 Type A
  • 20cm x 18cm x 26cm Chassis
  • Twin Rear Cooling Fans and Heat dissipating casing

Here is a similar board below, from the Storaxa pages:

Now, as mentioned, Storaxa has stated that they are using an existing hardware architecture for the internals of the Storaxa, providing a few examples of the architecture and references deep in the comments section. Long before this though, blogs and forums (once again, I have to give props to Reddit and STH here) had already called out that it was likely the boards used in Mini PCs under the TopTon and CWWK branding. An example of which we reviewed – CWWK AIO-T6 6-Bay NAS Review. Bang For Buck? (Massive Review and Hardware Breakdown) HERE on NASCompares

For a closer look at how the CWWK AIO-TT6 NAS looks, you can use the gallery below. 

Alternatively, you can watch the video review below (SELF PLUG ALERT!!!):

Following repeated questions by some users about the background of the team,, the team appeared on a video published on a backer-only update on the 9th Feb ’23:

Additionally, It is worth highlighting that they had already detailed their key members in the initial Kickstarter presentation (repeated below):

The Storaxa NAS Team Members:

  • Marvin He is responsible for the industrial design. He made use of a 3D printer to print the structure and design from CAD. He printed and tested all the parts, and made sure the assembly is feasible and easy. 
  • Matt Wang is our electrical engineer. He is responsible for two parts in the development of Storaxa. Firstly, he communicates with the PCB supplier and solve related technical issues. Secondly, he confirms all the specifications and design of the PCB that connects with the SSDs.
  • Keith Zhou is our procurement and logistics executive. When there is shortage for different parts in making Storaxa, he will find substitutes for engineers and PCB suppliers. He is also familiar with VAT for importing and exporting, as he worked in an international logistics company for the past year.
  • Thomas Li is our system engineer. All of Storaxa’s software development is created by him. For example, he decides which Linux distribution to pre-install, and test the compatibility and reliability between software and hardware
  • Li-Sau Man (Karen) is responsible for PR and customer service. Alongside strong writing and editing skills, she has a good understanding of digital communication channels and tools. She is effective in circulation of internal and external communications including newsletters, campaigns, speeches.

In a backers-only update, there was further information on the Plex Media server performance of the Soraxa, in an unlisted YouTube video. Again, it is good to see some test benchmarks and user case information to relate with, but these videos being unlisted still seemed unnecessary. Original text below from Feb 3rd:

Testing Plex with AMD 5825U

The easiest way to run Plex on Storaxa, is to install the Plex app in the Truenas-SCALE official app catalog. To ensure the system is not constrained by memory, we installed 64GB of RAM, and assigned 50+ to the TrueNAS-SCALE VM. We prepared H.264 30fps 1080p videos, and stream at 720p so as to force Plex to transcode. The streaming client is a MacBook pro connected via an ethernet cable. We managed to run six player instances  simultaneously, each playing a different video, without noticeable stutter.

It is worth remembering that alot of the information above was to only backers, which is still rather odd and only reasons of patent/IP protection might cover this – but it would be an odd stance to take on only the smaller % of the details. Nevertheless, I want to remain optimistic. It is not impossible that the Storaxa can be released and be a good product for the price point, but we are still talking pretty thin margins! For example, a similar Topton/CWWK/etc board can be purchased with the same N6005 CPU, SSD and 8GB of memory for £246 (so, approx $339) on Aliexpress. There are lots of differing examples under different brand names, but here is an example:

And the baseline Storaxa NAS (no add-ons, just the Intel Pentium N6005, 120/128GB NVMe, WiFi 6 module and 16GB of memory) comes in at $274. And that also has to include the casing, antenna, testing, time spent with software installation and testing/Q.C (PLus that free 32GB Memory card too now). Even if you factor in the profit margin that sellers on AliExpress need to factor in per sale vs the savings made possible by bulk buying by Storaxa team at the production level – that still leaves a remarkably narrow profit margin. It was this, plus the comments sent my way, odd presentation inconsistencies (nothing big, but blips here and there) that led to the video below:

Storaxa NAS –  Late Feb ’23 Update

When the Kickstarter concluded, it passed all stretch goals and at the time of writing, the stats are:

“5,917 backers pledged $1,924,001 to help bring this project to life.”

Regarding the Pledge Manager (for users to customize/confirm their order), it arrived a week later than expected, as Storaxa stated Pledgebox recommended aiming for the 25th Feb, so funds would be appropriately wired over and to eliminate errors when exporting backer pledges from Kickstarter to PledgeBox). Additionally, there were further breakdowns on the Storaxa page regarding the Schematics and Main board/layout of each configuration, detailed as follows:

Before we start, here is a schematic diagram of the main board with the key components. Please click on the image to view the diagrams for all the other CPU configurations. You can refer to these diagrams to help you choose your options. For experts and backers with advanced knowledge on NAS, these may be enough. 

After several requests for updated videos of the system being connected and from multiple angles, the following was provided in the backers-only area and via unlisted videos:

Uncut, Unedited Demo

Here is the uncut unedited demos as requested. We included a different angle to show all the cables and you can see that WiFi is disconnected and nothing is under the Storaxa. It can be viewed in 4K so you can see everything clearly. 

As per further updates and details on the stretch goals that were hit during the progression of the campaign, they proposed that they would  include an additional 32GB SD Card with all Sotraxa purchases after the campaign hits $1.9 Million (which it did). Their original update:

Also we have decided on the Stretch Goal #5. For the final stretch goal, we want to add something that won’t increase the SKU and something that everyone can benefit from. Once we hit $1.9 million, we will include one 32GB microSD card with the recovery image for all Storaxa units. You can use it to store snapshots and since you can always leave it in the slot, it won’t be easy to lose.

Regrding shipping, Staraxa state that they worked with a backer volunteer to test ship an item as a demonstration of the means of shipping to the EU and that it was received without any additional tax/customs payments being required:

One of the most asked questions was about extra VAT, customs and taxes that backers will need to pay regarding shipment to the EU. We have already explained that our forwarder has included all customs and taxes in their quotation and they will send it in a way to avoid extra charges to the recipient. During one of these discussions, a backer volunteered to help us test this shipping method to see if any additional VAT was charged. We were contacted by that backer yesterday after she received the package without any extra VAT.

Storaxa NAS – March Updates

The Storaxa timeline has now shifted forward, with pledges stated at 82% of completion as of 27/03. Likewise, the timeline has now been updated on the project by the Storaxa team:

Users who had access to the Pledge manager were given a considerable number of options with regard to customizing their Storaxa, with detailed pricing throughout. There were reported payment issues and bank authentication issues, but these were PlexBox/PlegeManager related. If a user wanted to stick with the default configuration (Intel N6005, 16GB DDR4, WiFi6, 120GB SSD, 2.5Gx4), The Lowest Priced Storaxa NAS Configuration remained at $274:

However, the range of configurations was surprisingly diverse.

Configuration Options –  Wireless Module #1

Configuration Options – OS Drive #2

Configuration Options – CPU Choice #3

Configuration Options – Network Connectivity Choice #4

Configuration Options – Memory Capacity Choice #5

If you wanted to scale the Storaxa up to the maximum configuration of the system (Intel i7-1265U, 64GB DDR4, WiFi6e, 2TB SSD, 10Gx2, 2.5Gx2), that increased the price by $390, making the Highest Priced Storaxa NAS Configuration at $664:

There were also additional options for adding additional Storaxa NAS systems, storage media, spare PSUs and drive adapters.

The Optional Add ons and Media Choices Available:

So, if you wanted to opt for the Storaxa system with 20TB Seagate Ironwolf Pro’, 4TB WD Black SN850X PCIe4 SSDs and spare Boot disk, the Maximum Specification Storaxa System was priced at $2899.

For perspecitve, the QNAP TVS-h874 8-Bay NAS (no media included, 32GB, no 10GbE) is currently priced at approx at $2498 (one example below):

That is a huge saving indeed. This once again makes me want to hope that devices like this can/do happen and can give biggest/etablished names in the NAS industry pause for thought!

Elsewhere. there was continued back and forth regarding concerns about the CWWK board and the diminished SATA speed potential vs the bandwidth/lane allocation across the system (Most detailed example HERE). The Storaxa Team responded 5 hours later, highlighting that the default/baseline configuration will have these more limited bandwidth issues. This is something that many more experience tech users/builders had postulated earlier in the crowdfunding stages, but less experienced users or those less familiar with CWWK/Topton systems seen online might have been less aware. This is another one of those points of presentation where the simplicity of the solution in the initial Kickstarter videos and bullet points have glossed over the capabilities of a system at this pricepoint:

Below was our March update that goes into more detail about the pledge manager and pricing comparisons:

The March/April period also saw the Arrotrack/Storaxa site go live. Though in an early skeleton form that largely copied the content of the Kickstarter campaign (though the March 31st update was now publically visible)

The domain ownership appears to be alot older, but according to waybackmachine the site has only really seen active changes in the last month or so (understandable).

One notable thing is that although the number of unique and available pages was limited, the Fulfillment and Returns page is completed. This is quite surprising, given that the device has yet to or even finished production. This might seem a bit ‘cart before the horse has bolted’, but one could also argue that this is a further positive move by them that underlines that they intend to fulfill, but are also aware of the thin-ness of their profit margins to withstand cancellations at the 11th hour.

April 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

April (and very late March) saw two main updates to the Storaxa Kickstarter campaign, as well as two updates to the project timeline. This was also combined with a few questions surrounding the business address of Arrotrack (the company that Storaxa creators are trading under).

There have been several references to the project being slightly delayed (not unusual with Kickstarters) and also a few extra details surrounding the regional delivery plans. The key updates from Storaxa though surrounded confirmation of the AMD layout and changes to the Intel schemes.

Free DDR5 Upgrades

Due to a change in the Intel Storaxa board layouts and specification support, Storaxa confirmed that those opting for the higher-end configurations would have an upgrade from DDR4 to DDR5 Memory. This was largely down to these boards not supporting DDR4 memory, but nonetheless, a welcome bonus for those affected.


Future of Storaxa NAS, Post Crowdfunding?

There was also a discussion of Storaxa plans post-fulfilment, with Storaxa clearly indicating that they plan on continuing production after fulfilment of Storaxa Kickstarter units concludes. Hopefully, this occurs after ALL backers have been satisfied, as it is not unheard of for some Kickstarter campaigns to introduce late-stage outside retail options in order to financially support the initial Kickstarter pledges, which might have been priced incorrectly. Again, there is NO INDICATION of this and it is perfectly normal/sensible for them to keep an eye on the future. Indeed, its actually a positive sign in many respects that they are thinking long term.

Talking of long-term thinking and planning, I have to give them credit for sharing some of the background finance matters of the project with backers. As the initial pledges and additional sums garnered by the dynamic pledgebox have rapidly increased the campaign total, Stripe (the financial management in the middle) has opted to hold 50% of the collected funds until the fulfilment of orders begins (for reasons of product and backer satisfaction). This is not unusual and quite a useful safeguard when followed correctly by the intermediary parties, but it is good that Storaxa showed this exchange. I would still have preferred these to not be behind ‘backer only updates’ and it doesn’t change anything regarding fulfilment commitments, beyond the 2nd 50% of collected funds – but it’s still a positive move by them to share this.

There is, of course, the argument that they lose nothing by sharing this and gain goodwill by doing so, but it’s still a net positive. This is what they had to share:

“The result of the review is that Stripe will hold 50% of the funds from PledgeBox until fulfillment begins. Based on the payment terms outlined in the supplier contract, Stripe will distribute payments in the following manner: 50%, 35%, and 15%. We will keep Stripe updated with our mass production status in order to release the funds. For different components, we have to pay a deposit of 60% to 80%. For the main board we only need to pay a 50% deposit for mass production. Although we didn’t expect any funds to be held by Stripe when they asked for the review, the total funds from Kickstarter (100%) and Pledgebox (50%) is enough for all deposits.” Storaxa, April 12th Update

Storaxa also showed the current balance of funds collected at the time of writing:

Lots of positive reception to this move (with merit) and high praise for this transparent move.


AMD 5825U Layout Detailed

The manufacturer had completed the CAD of the main board for the pre-production sample.

Intel Component Changes Highlighted

As previously mentioned, there layouts for the internal boards for the Storaxa for each configuration have started arriving and they stated that due to hardware shortages, there would need to be component changes:

“There is a delay for the upgraded Intel CPU schematic. The manufacturer discovered that there is a shortage for some of the parts in the design. So they need to change to parts with a more stable supply. All main features remain unchanged. It will be ready after April 3. We will publish an update once that is ready. This does not delay mass production. Backers who wish to see the schematics before finalizing their choices can rest easy, because the survey deadline is extended to end of April. ” – Storaxa, March 31 Update

Later in a 2nd April 2023 update, they went on to show the system block diagram that factored in these component changes. These included upgrades to a DDR5 memory channel (which would lead to the free DDR5 upgrades mentioned above).

(later in the April 19th Update)


Business Address Changes

One slight fly in the ointment during the campaign this last month or so arose regarding the business address of Storaxa/Arrotrack. The campaign creators sharted a draft of the invoice that they would be using for finished order fulfilment and the address for this China/HK-based company had changed to a U.S/Denver address:

To confirm, the invoice stated ‘360 S Quitman StreetDenver CO, 80219 US’ and the original Arrotrack company was Unit 1113, 11/F, Global Gateway Tower, 63 Wing Hong Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong. This was confirmed in their own company documentation provided below:

A quick Google of the new U.S register address showed a slightly underwhelming business location:

This did raise a few concerns in the comments section and (far play) to Storaxa; they were not being secretive about this address/location. Answering direct questions about this in the comments:

They did go on to further clarify reasoning for this, stating that it was needed in order to proceed with a crowdfunding campaign, due to local restrictions imposed on Chinese companies. The duality of the registered addresses was for reasons of finance and handling returns/shipping.

Below is the timeline for the first half of April and everything, bar the pre-production samples being shared directly with backers (direct images and real-world examples) was correct.

 


At the start of April 2023, we asked Tom @Lawrence Systems for his perspective on the project, it’s viability and his initial thoughts. It is worth highlighting that this was presented his immediate perspective and without any additional research on his part.

May 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

May 2023 saw 4 official Updates by the Storaxa team on their Kickstarter campaign, mainly focusing on the changing of the system PSU from an external model to an external one, and the Pledgebox credit/payment issues.

Changes from an Internal PSU to an External PSU

This goes into a lot more detail for the reasons for/against, as well as the logic they outline in their decision, but this quote below summarizes it best:

“After careful consideration and evaluation, we have decided to use an external GaN power supply with a 5.5*2.5 barrel jack in 140W/180W/200W depending on the chosen CPU (N6005/5825U/1235U,1256U). GaN (gallium nitride) is a new technology that allows for smaller, more efficient, and cooler power supplies. It has several advantages over traditional silicon-based power supplies, including higher efficiency, faster switching speeds, and smaller size. A Type-C PD power supply was not chosen because of the higher cost we couldn’t fit into our budget. The power supply will be external, which will allow for more space in the case for better thermal management and air circulation for heat dissipation. This also gives users more space for customization inside the case. And it is easier to replace the power supply if needed. We have several suppliers lined up and will decide on the final one soon. Here are some images of the potential power supply. It is meant to plug directly into a power socket. It has a C6 socket, so you can also choose to use it like a power brick by using it with standard C5 cable (not included). The power supply will only come with the plug suitable for your delivery location.” – Storaxa Team, Update 19, May 25th 2023

They also supplied an updated system build graphic to detail the case in progress and adjusted layouts:

May 22nd also saw an update on the motherboard that is intended for the baseline N6005 Pentium models, with the stated arrival of the production sample for testing and assessment. See below:

Storaxa NAS Case Changes

As pleasing as this way, I was more concerned with the production and information on the casing for the Storaxa system, as that is one fo the truly unique elements of this system. How the change to an external PSU and the difference in architecture between the configurations impacting the case cooling/shape was also addressed in this same May 2023 update:

“Getting the first sample is a critical milestone because it lets us finalize the case design. The case sample will be ready in the week of June 5, 2023. Our plan has always been to use the same case for all the different versions of Storaxa. This is so that all units have a uniform appearance and also it will help save on production costs. However, with the introduction of the higher-performance versions, the power supply unit had to increase. And with the increased wattage, we also struggled with thermal management. Moving the power supply outside was the best solution. We thought about keeping it inside for the basic model, but decided against it because it will be easier to have the same case and it will be easier for assembly and repair. The external power supply has many positives. There is more room inside for air circulation for heat dissipation and also gives users more space for customization inside. It can also be replaced more easily.– Storaxa Team, Update 18, May 22nd 2023

The Storaxa Group continue:

“The new case has three easy-access openings, two on top and one at the bottom. The top ones are for the 4 M.2 slots and the boot drive. The bottom is for access to the main board with the DDR RAM and the 2 onboard M.2 slots. The side air vents are also larger for better air flow. Since the power supply has moved, the main board is also raised, leaving more space for personalization and airflow. This means the ports in the back are all raised higher.” – Storaxa Team, Update 18, May 22nd 2023 

They have updated their current projected timeline with the shipping of the first wave of solutions in the 2nd half of July (see blow):

The last 30 Days or so of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign (going into the 15th May) have been a fantastic mix of good news, bad news and just plain odd news. Although the Storaxa team have continued to respond to comments and enquiries, they have certainly been a little less prompt. That said, between the evolution of the campaign as it moves through the proposed production timeline and a couple of the hurdles that will be covered in this May update, there might be reason enough for these. Let’s go through all the updates (both project-published ones and those made in the comments).

PledgeBox Issues

Pretty much the big topic that has been bubbling around the Storaxa Kickstarter in this period was the Pledgebox manager not factoring in payments previously made to people’s existing backing sums. In short, a % of users found that their initial payments had been ignored and new ‘balance due’ messages had appeared. It is still not certain how many users were affected by this out of the 5,917 backers of the project (though some backers took to reddit to try and poll the numbers of those affected/unaffected), but clearly, this issue was big enough to be raised and referred to a decent amount in the comments. This is the image provided by Storaxa in their update to denote how the issue appeared to those affected users:

What caused this issue in the Pledge manager is still unclear, but Storaxa/Arrotrack did address this in their project update on May 2nd:

“We apologize for a new issue on PledgeBox that crossed out the bonus amounts of backers’ pledges from Kickstarter. If you are experiencing this issue, please wait patiently as we try to fix all the affected accounts within one week. There is no magic button to fix all the accounts at once, so we need to do it individually. Please understand that we may not be able to reply to all your messages, emails, and comments, as we are focused on resolving this issue. This issue does not affect how we will fulfill your rewards so we kindly ask for your patience as we fix this.” – Storaxa Update #16 HERE

This seemingly continued to be raised in the comments section and although individual queries were addressed by the group in the general comments section, it wasn’t until May 15th that we saw the issue fully confirmed as resolved by Storaxa in a full backers only update:

“The issue with the subtracted Kickstarter bonus has been resolved. Thank you backers for your patience as we fixed the problem. If we missed anyone with this issue, please don’t hesitate to reach us so we can fix it.”  – Sroaxa Update #17 HERE

Initial Motherboard Errors and Changes

The board that is to be used inside the Storaxa (though differing fractionally in each CPU Config) had only really been shown in schematic, Diagram and CAD form up to this point and understandably, many users had been chasing for updates on this. Although already volunteered by Storaxa that the board use was being produced by the same manufacturer as the likes of Topton/CWWK NAS systems, real world examples of the mainboard for the Storaxa were still ‘coming soon’. So, with that in mind, the initial update for this on May 2nd was a little bitter-sweet.

Although they showed a board in the update (which had been promised already), it was highlighted that mistakes in the layout had been recognized and therefore more work/time was needed for completion:

“The manufacturer tested the first print of the mainboard last week and discovered that there were some mistakes in the layout. Since it is Golden Week holiday here, the factory will be on break this week. The new samples for testing will be ready next week. We will continue monitoring their work and update you about the progress” – Storaxa Update #16 HERE

Fast forward two weeks and we saw the next update, which included images of the ready-soldered and prepared board for the default N6005 board. Arriving somewhere between the design of the N6005 board HERE and J6412 board HERE on Aliexpress, the photos are a little oblique. I appreciate that Storaxa state the manufacturer has supplied these, but a top-down angle would have been nice. Still, better something than nothing:

There is no avoiding that there has been contention in the response to this update regarding the main board of the storaxa NAS. The first issue for many was that the Intel N6005 model is the entry-level device and many of the much higher configurations (who have paid considerably more into this project since the Pledgebox option appeared) have been left to wait. Now, on the one hand, given that the Kickstarter began with pledging on the initial N6005 configuration, it makes sense that chronologically that would be the first thing to be on the timeline for production. But given the scale of the upgraded components (significantly more power-hungry processors, 10GbE, Gen 4 SSDs, etc) in this compact chassis on boards that are not available right now on AliExpress etc right now, it’s understandable why users opting for these more unique configurations are wondering about their system delivery window.

The other hardware change that has occured in the recent project update was one that many had already raised early in the campaign (myself included), regarding the PSU. Storaxa have opted to remove the PSU from the internal casing of the device and opting for an external PSU (with a promise to elaborate more on this in the next project update). Now, on the face of it, I have always been a fan of external PSUs. They are easier to replace and in some cases, can remove internal heat generation and/or restrictive airflow blocking in more compact systems (more in the case of bare-PSUs, not blocks). However, in the case of the more aggressive system configurations, this might well result in quite large PSUs and add this also raises the question of external PSU quality. That was always a factor in ANY PSU, but ask anyone who has ever purchased a cheap PSU for their GFX-Card laptop or external PCIe Box on eBay/Ali and they will discuss ‘noisy’ PSUs or those that just feel ‘unsafe’. This is pure conjecture right now of course and until the PSU in question is shared in an update, it’s way to early to complain. But some users are definitely less keen on external power bricks in bigger NAS systems, as that can also result in an easy-to-disconnect power connection or extra part to lose!

Delay in Order Shipping and Fulfilment Warned

The above changes regarding the system board and possibly due to the impact of the Pledge Manager issues requiring attention (again, an assumption on my part) have led to Storaxa highlighting delays to shipping an order fulfilment in this campaign. Initially, shipping was timeline’d to start in Mid-June, but now looks like the end of July:

“We have been working diligently with our manufacturer to complete the designs and samples of the main boards. Even though our manufacturer started work earlier than scheduled, not all the pre-production samples will be completed on time within the 45 days stated in our contract. They have explained to us that ever since our campaign, they have become more busy and received even more orders. The estimated dates were accurate but due to not enough man power, any mistakes and redesign delayed the samples. The production time of assembling the units will not be affected. They have been very accommodating during this whole process, so we believe that they are sincere and tried their best to keep to our schedule.  Due to the bottleneck in completing the pre-production samples, the shipping date will be delayed for 30 days. We apologize for this inconvenience and we thank you for your patience and understanding.” – Storaxa Update #17 HERE

Delays in Kickstarter campaigns are hardly unusual and fair play to them for, at the very least, raising it now. It’s still going to be disappointing for many, but after many users quering the shipment date, this is something to go on.

Arrotrack / Storaxa Domain Ownership Expiry?

A rather odd point and one that was raised in the comments of the Kickstarter comments for the Storaxa was that the domain for the Arrotrack company (the group producing the Storaxa) had a very, very short domain registration time remaining. In my last update (in the April Update below) I highlighted that Arrotrack and Storaxa has a website up and running that had further information on the updates made available to non-backers, details of the company (something of a debate there that was discussed) and information regarding terms of returns and support. Well, that domain was registered on 23/05/20 but seemingly is going to expire on 23/05/23.

Now, this in itself is not the end of the world. Notwithstanding that this is not directly connected to the Kickstarter campaign, the company could be moving to a new domain and letting this expire (since realizing a new domain and site was needed). Likewise, they could be running the clock out on it to exchange it’s ownership to a new party. Nevertheless, it’s an odd little thing.

Potential Refunds to Customers of HDD/SSD Storage Bundles

One matter that increased in the comments of the Kickstarter campaign comments of the Storaxa over the last couple of months was to do with the price of storage media. When the Pledgebox manager for Storaxa NAS went live, one of the additional configuration options included adding SATA HDD/SSD media and PCIe Gen 3/4 m.2 NVMe SSD Media. However, since these options were first made available and priced, the general cost of alot of these drives (and other alternative drives that were not included in the Pledgebox from 3rd parties, location dependant) have seen noticeable decreases. So, many users wanted to know if reductions in the cost of drives would be reflected in their purchases (i.e. partial refunds?). Storaxa addressed this in their mid-May update:

Due to the delay in completing the main boards, the delivery of the accessories such as SSD and HDD will also be delayed. Although we already paid the deposit, we  were able to renegotiated with our supplier to give us a discount on the drives if the prices drop. In the event that market prices drop lower than our previous negotiated price, we will receive a discount. In turn, we will offer that same discount to backers who have added the drives to their pledges and refund the difference to you.” – Storaxa Update #17 HERE

Now, fair play to Storaxa. very few would have expected them to refund these savings. Mainly as the quantity of HDDs and SSDs would have likely been quoted and paid partially/fully at Distribution shortly after the closing of the Pledgebox. These are all still promises and considerations that are being outlined on a crowdfunding project that has still not (at the time of writing) shown details on money in/out on the media ordered, or final shipping devices. But this is nonetheless a positive stance to take in this update and one that I wanted to highlight in my updates.

Here is my round-up of the updates above (and a few of the April updates), all in one video. Enjoy!

June 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

June saw three updates from Storaxa on the production of their system (the first larger than the two that followed, but all three addressed new information). The main subjects covered with the new intended Shipping Test, are fulfilment of the SD Card stretch goal (part of the shipping test), errors and issues encountered at production and planned tutorials and guides. There was also updated information on the GaN external Power Supplier, it’s a 19V supply with a 5.5*2.5 barrel jack in 140W/180W/200W depending on the chosen CPU (N6005/5825U/1235U,1256U).

“It is meant to plug directly into a power socket. It has a C6 socket, so you can also choose to use it like a power brick by using it with standard C5 cable. The power supply will only come with the plug suitable for your delivery location. After getting your feedback from the last update, we will include the C5 cable for your convenience.” – Storaxa Team, Update 19, June 7th 2023

Board for the 5825 CPU Storaxa NAS, Good and Bad News

The early June update started on a positive note, with the announcement that the production samples of the AMD 5825 controller board on their #20 update. This was a little soured for some by the additional note that the Intel board configuration systems had fallen behind schedule:

“We are proceeding with production now. However, the upgraded Intel main boards are behind schedule. By starting with two versions first, we can avoid delayed production overall. As long as the upgraded Intel board samples are ready within two weeks, we can stay on the delivery schedule for end of July.” – Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023

Still, this was good news for those backers who had opted for one fo those AMD config choices. However, this was a little short-lived, when comments from the Storaxa group highlighted that they had hit a tech roadblock pertaining to the detection of the M.2 NVMe.

Twelve days later, in the June 19th Update, the Storaxa team highlighted that an issue was recognized in the AMD 5825 board:

“During testing of the AMD 5825 main board, the 4 top M.2 slots could not be read or detected. After further testing, we discovered that something went wrong during SMT and there was a problem with one of the resistors on the main board that affected the recognition of the ASM2812X chip PCB. We are fixing this now. This is not a big problem and it will be fixed in a week. Once it is complete, we can continue with testing and production.”– Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023

Later in their final update of June, they did state that the SMT issue had been resolved:

“The AMD 5825 main board has finished SMT. The problem with the unrecognized ASM2812X chip has been fixed and testing and production can continue. The upgraded Intel versions can proceed after this.” – Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 30th 2023

The Storaxa SD Card Shipping Tests and System Recovery Images

In the early stages of the kickstart campaign, when alternative versions of the Storaxa configuration, rewards and stretch goals were being shared, one thing that was discussed was an SD card for every backer that contained the system recovery image (dependent on the OS choices across both elements of the system).

Although it became quickly clear that providing an ‘one for all’ system image for the SD card become untenable, they stated that they will provide the means to download these at launch, but use the SD cards for every backer as a means to test shipping:

“Since before our campaign started we tried our best to quote the lowest price for shipping to keep the price of Storaxa as low as possible. We didn’t give up that search even until after the campaign so we can keep the add-on and extra units shipping cost low too. We found a logistics company that quoted prices that we couldn’t believe. This would be very good for us because we can save some costs, but we didn’t think it was safe enough to entrust them with your rewards which ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, they assured us they have global coverage and can ensure the safe delivery of all rewards. To back up their proposal, they are willing to do a shipping test to show us they can handle all our orders.  Due to this, we are happy to announce we will conduct a shipping test by sending you the free 32GB microSD unlocked in the final stretch goal ahead of schedule. This test will show us the reliability of this new service and also serve as a practice run of fulfillment. We will start sending it out on June 15. It will take around 7 – 14 business days to be delivered. – Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023

This still led to the question of less experienced users who wanted to have a recovery/initial-boot SD Card for this system, two of which Storaxa stated the following:

“We originally stated that the microSD card will come with a system recovery image for your Storaxa. However, after careful consideration, due to the fully customization feature of the Storaxa, no single image will fit everyone’s purposes. Therefore, we will send you a blank card so you can create the image right for you with the instructions below. (We will post the instructions again after you receive your Storaxas). We are starting to make the tutorial videos this week. We will film some demos to teach the basics on how to install and run the software for the Storaxa. The videos will be posted on our Youtube channel. We will start with some simple videos first and ask for your feedback before we move on to tutorials for the more advanced uses of Storaxa.” Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 19th 2023

Storaxa is stated to arrive with the system pre-installed and pre-configured, so you can plug in the network/power cables and drives, and start using it. Storaxa boots to Proxmox VE, which hosts 2 virtual machines, which respectively has TrueNAS-SCALE, and OpenWRT installed.

We cover this and more in our June Update video below:

July 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

Right at the tail end of the month (31st July to be precise), Storaxa rolled out an update that was largely centered around 4 videos of the system (in a component-out state) being demo’d. The specifications for the unit and client machine they state are the testing system are:

  • AMD Board
  • 64GB Memory
  • 1TB Samsung 970 Pro Boot SSD
  • WiFi 6 Card (via an M.2 riser adapter card)
  • 10GbE (Via TB3 adapter)
  • 5x 16TB HDD (unconfirmed, but not hugely important for these tests)
  • 3x WD Black SN750 SSDs
  • Connected to Macbook Pro

The system board seemed to be connected via a standard multilane to SATA adapter, though I couldn’t quite 100% confirm the means that the 3x m.2 NVMe bays were connected (clear cable type there though). The testing Mac book was connected via a Thunderbolt3-to-10GbE adapter. The first test was a 10GbE transfer test (video here):

Next, there was a straightforward copy/paste into a RAIDZ1 (i.e comparable ZFS alternative to RAID 5). Video HERE, but result screen below:

Finally, there was a session of Plex testing, with three videos being streamed at once in H.265 and H.264. Again, the video is HERE.

Also, the Memory cards that formed one of the stretch goals from the initial Kickstarter campaign (more on that shortly) have started to arrive in Europe. The card from my pledge arrived on July 31st via Royal Mail, no signature was required but was trackable from Hong Kong onwards.

Rewinding back to the very start of the month, July started quiet – REAL quiet! In fact, it was unusually quiet times for Storaxa, with a period of over 2 weeks of Storaxa no longer responding to public comments or producing any updates. This was eventually addressed in the comments, backers section, on Reddit and more by concerned users who had noticed the sudden gear change.

That said, things seemingly returned to normal in the 2nd half of 2023, returning to a lot of those older comments, including my own (shown before/after), with apologies and highlights that a bigger update will be coming at the end of the month:

 

Backer SD Cards Arriving

Last month, Storaxa detailed that as a move to test shipping fulfilment in preparation for the eventual full Storaxa shipment and test the company shipping companies’ rather impressive delivery quotation, they would send backers their stretch goal included 32GB SSD Card (quote below from the June Update).

“We are starting the shipping test this week. Please expect to receive the package in 10 to 20 days. We will email you the tracking number through the PledgBox system within one week of sending out. This test will help us as a test run for when when we ship your Storaxas and also help us test the flexibility of shipping your rewards in different patches. We received mixed feedback about this test, but we feel this will help us to ensure you receive your rewards safely without additional costs.” Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 19th 2023

Cards began arriving in mid-July and it quickly became clear that these were being shipped by region/country/continent, with the U.S (likely the largest % of backers being located) being the first to state they had received the cards:

Additionally, some incredibly kind users (such as u/AkaiYui97 on Reddit, credit for images below), shared the contents of the Storaxa SD card delivery.

That said, not everyone (at the time of Writing, July 30th 2023) has received their SD card and it looks like Europe has been one of the last in the list of regions shipped to. Again, most likely a % based staged shipping method based on the locations of backers.

Now, on the face of it, we are talking about an SD card here… with an exceptionally low value. Although in itself a very low-value item, it’s worth remembering that these cards were shipped as a test of the shipping company and prospected fulfilment. Also, several users highlighted that the SD cards had tracking information indicating that they were received in Hong Kong in the last full week of July.

At the time of writing, the SD cards for the UK/Europe have started to be trackable and users might well see their cards arriving during the course of this week (31/07 – 4/08), as indicated by the tacking below.

Production and Shipment of Storaxa Now Delayed till September 2023

Another point worth touching on, and one that was certainly anticipated by many, was the officially stated delay of the Storaxa first fulfilment from 2nd Half of July to the 2nd Half of September. How this will impact users based on their configuration choice and global location is yet to be elaborated upon (there IS an update stated to arrive on July 31st, which might address this), but for now, the project is now slated for later in 2023. Not a huge surprise and not unusual for Kickstarter.

 

The final statement from Storaxa regarding the updated timeline was as follows:

“The production timeline is the same as last update. Mass production will begin in September and shipping will start in the second half of September. All major parts and components have been ordered and will arrive before that time. The case and chassis sample is arriving at the end of this week so we can show that to you soon too.”  – Storaxa Team, Update #24, 1st Aug

 

Aug/Sept 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

In recent developments regarding the Storaxa NAS by Arrowtrack, a series of unexpected challenges have emerged, primarily involving financial delays and fund withholding by the payment processor, Stripe. As backers eagerly await the product’s release, Arrowtrack has been surprisingly transparent about the situation, providing updates on every facet from supplier negotiations to production adjustments. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key points from their latest updates.

Situation Affecting the Storaxa NAS by Arrowtrack (Updates #27 and #28 Summary)

  • Funds Withholding by Stripe:
    • After successfully raising funds on Kickstarter, Arrowtrack encountered issues with their payment processor, Stripe. Due to the sudden large transaction amount from their campaign, Stripe withheld a significant portion of their funds.
    • Initially, Stripe released only 50% of the funds after Arrowtrack provided all the necessary documents. The rest of the funds were expected to be released during production time.
    • Instead of releasing the funds as expected in June, Stripe extended the payout date to August 31.
    • Just a week after confirming that the funds would be released on time, Stripe decided to hold the funds for another 60 days (until November 7). The primary reason was a high rate of refunds, which triggered their system for a further review. Arrowtrack believed these refunds were due to backers changing their minds about options before the delivery date.
    • Stripe had previously disabled the chat function on Arrowtrack’s account dashboard, limiting their communication. In Update #28, this function was re-enabled, which Arrowtrack took as a positive sign.

  • Financial Details:
    • Kickstarter funds raised: $1,688,332.29.
    • Pledgebox funds: $950,257.09, with $982,864.57 being held by Stripe.
    • Deposit for mass production and ODM: $2,116,258 of $3,074,638.
    • Account Balance (as of Sept 4th): $480,874.
    • Arrowtrack has paid around 70% deposit for all manufacturing costs, including materials, parts, setup costs, and ODM/OEM costs. However, the current balance is insufficient for completing production.

  • Production and Delivery Delays:
    • The delays in Stripe’s payout affected Arrowtrack’s ability to maintain their original schedule.
    • Production was initially postponed until September, and after the latest delay, the shipping has been rescheduled to start in the second half of November.
  • Negotiations with Suppliers and Manufacturers:
    • Arrowtrack has been in negotiations to extend payment deadlines to ensure deposits aren’t forfeited.
    • In the wake of extreme weather conditions in southern China, meetings with some suppliers were postponed. Still, Arrowtrack managed to renegotiate with all but two suppliers for a 3-month extension on final payment.
    • Production of the upgraded Intel boards was paused due to payment uncertainties but is set to resume in two weeks.
  • Review Sample and Refunds:
    • There was a delay in sending out a review sample to NASCompares, but Arrowtrack hopes to use this time to gather feedback from the review.
    • Arrowtrack has received 20 refund requests so far and is appreciative of their backers’ patience and understanding.
  • General Backer Support:
    • Arrowtrack expressed deep gratitude to their backers for their understanding and support during this difficult time. They highlighted the importance of their backers’ continued faith in the project’s success.

Arrowtrack’s Storaxa NAS project faced significant challenges primarily due to Stripe withholding funds. This caused delays in production, requiring renegotiations with suppliers and adjustments in their delivery schedule. Despite these hurdles, the company remains committed to delivering the product, and backers have shown substantial support and understanding. Of course, we also need to remain grounded and remember that we are only seeing half the story here. Additionally, although Storaxa has been forthcoming with its updates, these updates and regular comments have reduced in frequency in the last few months. Additionally, lack of further documentation of suppliers being used, further communication with Stripe being shared, the recent update arriving later than stated and many users (myself included) reporting that these last two updates did not result in email notifications to users (yet all others did) – these are all matters that remain pertinent to many users following this campaign. These are mostly small potato arguments in the grand scheme of things, but it is important to remain as objective as possible. Users who have invested thousands of dollars towards the system in an upgraded state + storage media purchased now a considerable time ago might well be having understandably cold feet.

Reactions to the Storaxa’s updates on the issues with Stripe by the backers of the campaign were mostly positive, save for a few users highlighting that update #28 arrived late and that proactive email notifications appeared to be disabled (still unconfirmed, but certainly noted online). One user (@Ruan) did take the time to do a breakdown of the finances as stated and made efforts to highlight potential issues of finance in the numbers reported, but this had to be built on only partial by partial numbers related to finances and stock procured by Storaxa, and therefore open to error. Neverthless, even at a casual glance and only using the barebone numbers provided by the campaign creators, the margins do seem rather thin. I wanted to share it here (linked below, just click the image) as I think it’s worth keeping in mind about the scale of this project, once you factor in multiple base configurations and the storage upgrades that have been added:

The post examines the finances of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS campaign in light of potential delays, as half of the funds are being held by the payment provider, Stripe.

  • The total funds raised on Kickstarter and PledgeBox combined is $3,621,444.95.
  • A deposit of $3,074,638.00 was made for mass production and ODM, leaving a balance of $546,806.95.
  • Using a breakdown of addons, including HDDs, NVMes, SSDs, and Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMes, the post calculates the total estimated addon cost at $537,600.
  • This leaves just $9,206.95 for global shipping of at least 5,000 packages, and other costs like SD cards, which is viewed as unrealistic.
  • Analyzing the base Storaxa unit costs, the post estimates that at least 8,000 units were necessary from the original pledge, and there may be a discrepancy in the number of additional units backed versus those being produced.
  • Three hypotheses are proposed:
    1. The creators got an exceptional deal on addons.
    2. The creators won’t profit and are primarily pushing their brand.
    3. More funds than expected were used for non-Storaxa addons, which might hinder the actual Storaxa product development.

The post concludes by asking for an update on the actual numbers of non-Storaxa Addons and clarity on why the production costs appear so high, emphasizing concerns about delivery costs. From the information provided, there are several points to consider:

  1. Funds Being Held: Storaxa mentioned that Stripe is holding onto 50% of the funds raised from the campaign. If this is accurate, it would indeed create a liquidity issue for the company.
  2. Discrepancy in Costs: Based on the post’s calculations, the funds left after accounting for production costs and the estimated addon costs appear insufficient to cover worldwide shipping of at least 5,000 packages, plus other ancillary costs. This raises concerns about whether all the promised items can be delivered without additional funding.
  3. Estimated Addon Costs: The calculations for the addon costs are based on minimum values, and as mentioned in the post, if backers ordered more than one of an item, these costs would rise. Moreover, the post speculates that many might have chosen higher-priced items, which would further strain the finances.
  4. Unit Discrepancy: The analysis suggests a potential discrepancy between the number of Storaxa units backed and those being produced, pointing to possible over-production or an underestimation of the number of units required.
  5. Three Hypotheses: The post’s hypotheses suggest that Storaxa either secured an incredibly good deal on addons, isn’t looking to profit and is pushing their brand, or has used more funds for non-Storaxa addons than projected, potentially hindering Storaxa product development. The validity of any of these hypotheses would significantly affect the interpretation of Storaxa’s financial situation.

The BIG takeaway here is that Storaxa will need to start engaging with its audience more regularly. There are many in the comments who would point out that this project has seen more updates than many other campaigns on the Kickstarter platform. However, we are still talking about a campaign with $1.8 Million raised in the initial campaign and a further $2 Million in pledge upgrades – these are bot atypical numbers for an average Kickstarter campaign on average (it happens, but most polished campaigns will live in the 5-6 figures in $). Given the reported change in work on their side related to negotiating with suppliers for later deadlines on payments and maintaining the project through this relative period of ‘hand-on’ inactivity, many would like to see higher engagement with their audience in the comments, further updates, tests/demonstrations in-house with the units that they have, further details of the communications with Stripe (share those conversations in greater details to well further refunds perhaps?) and just generally make their activity and presence felt more than it is. Kickstarter is NOT Amazon or eBay, but it does thing on communication and transparency, something that Storaxa was good on and now arguably becoming weaker on during this period of flux. As always, I will continue to follow this evolving crowdfunded NAS campaign.

Sept / Oct 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

If I had to describe the Storaxa NAS Kickstater campaign throughout October and at the very start of November 2023 in one word, it would be….quiet! In updates the previous month (#27 and #28), the Storaxa group stated that production was not possible due to delays in finances arriving from the payment handler ‘Stripe’. Nevertheless, it did/does seem very quiet on storaxas side throughout all of this and no comments by backers were responded too and the update that was slated for October 12th ended up being late (with virtually no explanation or indication), leading to a lot of user debate about the health of the campaign, the validity of the Stripe funds statements and the information provided up to this point in the official campaign updates. Indeed, in terms of actual milestone events in the last calendar month, there was only really four to speak of. The first was the comment that Storaxa made in response to weeks of silence, which was as follows:

Again, the above comment was after weeks of silence and no replies from users. Equally, this was the only comment on the campaign by Storaxa in that time and although a lot of comments/responses followed, they did not engage with them. Questions surrounding the state of the campaign, further verification of the stripe matters, where the existing funds were being spent, further information on suppliers and more. At the same time as this, there was also the public zoom discussion that I had arranged with Storaxa NAS backers (posted several times on the comments thread, with one of the last ones HERE). It did seem rather coincidental that Storaxa had not been replying to users for an extended period of time, but opted to do so on the day of the public zoom with the post discussed above). This was an organized zoom discussion for backers of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign, organized by Robbie @ NASCompares. This is NOT an official zoom organized by/in conjunction with the Storaxa/Arrowtrack group. Below you can watch the full zoom call:

There is of course the question of why I did not just host a zoom with Storaxa/Arrowtrak instead, putting users’ questions directly to them? This was asked a few times and (as I discuss in the comment below), I HAD reached out to Storaxa previously for a zoom Q&A session, but they declined to reply.

When Sotraxa did reveal an official update (update #29), it was rather small and largely repeated similar to what the singular comment a few days before had said, but adding a pinch more on production and showing a change that was going to be implemented to the hardware design:

03:57:22 – Update Frequency 04:00:33 – Early Rewards and Address Changes 04:02:28 – Cat Issues 04:03:00 – Is the Storaxa AMD Module using an Aoostar Motherboard? 04:05:20 – Backer Zoom on Jan 30th 2024

The component change related to the internal cage, here:

Now, I AM pleased that they are providing more information! But as discussed in the video, there seems to be a lot of information that they could be supplying that could calm a lot of people’s concerns, yet for one reason or another do not. Such as:

  • Information about the existing orders they have with production suppliers (Pro forma invoices, names of the suppliers if possible, images of any hardware that has been delivered at all – and if not due to reasons of deposits/credit agreements needing conclusion, supply further information on this
  • More information on the back and forth with Stripe. More of the emails, more of the correspondence. Only 2 images have been shown regarding communication and have been cropped significantly
  • Further images on the existing hardware they have an how this new bay/cage component is better/worse than what was in the prototypes and AMD samples
  • Clarification on the sourcing and reasoning behind the design change, as many have raised question marks about it’s origin
  • Further clarification on how, if the stripe money holding will cease on Nov 7th, how production resuming on 13th Nov will happen so fast. it’s impact on fulfilment?

Finally, storaxa got in touch after Update #29 to state that they still wish to send a review prototype. Of course, I will continue to oblige with this, but nevertheless that campaign still moves forward with a lot of unanswered questions by backers and the current state of the campaign. If/when this unit arrives, I will let backers know and proceed with the original testing as discussed. I hope I have more positive news to share with you in the next update.

 

Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article (Jan 5th 2024), there has not been any further communication from the brand about this review unit, originally sent on 31st October 2023. 

December 2023 Update

Which leads to the December 2023 update. Sadly, very little has changed and is covered in greater detail i nthe video linked below (I have linked to the specific part, just click play. However, the TLDR is:

03:57:22Update Frequency – Storaxa assured users that they would maintain updates every 7-10 days, but then unfortunately only maintained this for a week and have now been largely silent since December 7th 2023 (29 Days since the date of this article’s publication)

04:00:33Early Rewards and Address Changes – Storaxa/Arrowtrak DID respond to users address change requests

04:03:00Is the Storaxa AMD Module using an Aoostar Motherboard? – There were questions being raised on Reddit regarding a very similar motherboard being used on the Aoostar NVMe NAS system and claims that the motherboard inside the Storaxa is the Aoostar model.

This is the system to which they are referring – LINK TO VIDEO

04:05:20Backer Zoom on Jan 30th 2024 – I/NASCompares have raised the idea of a backer zoom (not anyway officially endorsed by Stooraxa to discuss the campaign so far)

Video:


Why Did I Back the Storaxa NAS on Kickstarter? (IMPORTANT!!!!!)

Originally, I had no real intention of backing the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter project. As a long-time follower of channels such as Slope’s Game Room and his Kickscammer series, as well as only backing a tremendously small number of projects on the platform (and even then, for small sums comparatively) I have always had an especially sceptical mindset for alot of crowdfunding projects that have tremendously small profit margins early doors. Additionally, I was not in the market to buy a new NAS solution, as I cover plenty on my YouTube channel and (though contrary to popular belief, I rarely get to keep them and the ones that I do, go into channel content) I already have two personal servers up and running that I am in no rush to replace.

However, after I was contacted by several existing backers of this project and potential backers looking for a 2nd opinion, I started looking into the Storaxa a little more, contacting the organizers about a future review. After this point, a few different things happened. The campaign was nearing conclusion and more backers had been in touch that weekend to express further concern (alongside rising questions on the usual public forums, such as Reddit and STH). So, I made a video on the campaign, my initial impressions, my own questions about the price point vs distribution, and further questions surrounding heat dissipation. This resulted in my original message to the Storaxa group regarding reviews being screenshotted and shared to the comments section of the official page by the organizers themselves, with many points being highlighted (but not all) in my video being addressed.

The odd thing was that I never got a reply to that message personally, only hearing about this from other backers, who too thought the way it had been handled rather odd. So, I sent a follow-up message, with further questions, explaining my position, the methodology behind my video and my intentions in greater detail. The response came two days later, stating that I was playing media games and did not address my questions (stating that the answers were in the comments section – of which only 2/6 were, with 1 other in the backers only area and 3 others surrounding the team, Opensource distribution and production fulfilment waves not answered). Needless to say, I replied with my questions once again (with a few new points) and sadly have never received a reply to that one to date. So, why, after all that, did I back the project?

Now, one hurdle that is part kickstarter’s design and part campaign presentation choice is/was to do with how information is relayed to potential/existing backers. There needs to be a central framework that can be adapted to all projects of all types – there is no ‘one shape fits all’ campaign mould that can be used. This proved especially true when (at that time of writing) the comments section comprised around 2,000 comments (now at more than 6,000 – without a search function too!) and many comments were broken into sub-conversations (and the Kickstarter framework only allows X number loaded in), a long thread of hundreds of voices with the facts getting soon mixed with assumptions and contradiction in places, potentially leading to an echo chamber effect. Again, this is the framework that Kickstarter has for its central conversation thread and not the design of the project organizers. Nonetheless, this did lead to an issue. The bulk of the main information was published behind the main update section, which was set to only be visible to backers and shared videos for the project were made unlisted and shared with backers online.

At this point, I was intrigued enough by the campaign conclusion, the subject of OS-free NAS solutions rolling out from the east more and more, keen to see if/how it could deliver, as well s wanting to ensure an element of accountability and reference for the future. So, I decided to back the project in order to update users on the progress of this unusual NAS regularly. What follows are my monthly updates on the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS. Starting with that initial video from February 6th 2023 and with information, screen grabs and important milestones/changes in the campaign as time moves on. Hopefully, this article will end with high-order fulfilment, everyone getting their Storaxa system, a new kind of NAS solution entering the market and this growing 3rd choice between the Turnkey solutions and full DiY Opensource builds getting bigger and better, but we will have to wait till Summer 2023 to find out. 

Note – I have broken all the information below into monthly chunks (with the 2x Feb chunks being an exception, as the campaign concluded at the end of that month and a volley of updates happened at the end). I am writing the February coverage retroactively, so I apologise in advance if my tenses on some parts are incorrect. I did not even realise at that time that I would be making this article and therefore, it’s been a case of catching up with myself! Additionally, I am composing this with the most recent information FIRST (eg months in reverse order), and updating it each month, so those following this article can get notifications about the updates with the Storaxa NAS summarized. Alternatively, you can browse the comments section HERE or if you are a backer, use the page’s own official updates HERE.

 

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New Powerful Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS Revealed

Par : Rob Andrews
29 décembre 2023 à 18:00

Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS for 2024

TerraMaster, arguably the value/affordable tier of the private NAS market, have revealed three new solutions that form the beginning of their 2024 series of devices – the Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS. Arriving before their main competitors Synology, QNAP and Asustor, these new solutions are arriving with a more recent Intel N95 and N300 CPU series and will be available in 2-Bay and 4-Bay configurations.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS – Hardware Specifications

At the core of the F2-424 and F4-424 models is the Intel Celeron N95 processor, a choice that balances power and efficiency. The F4-424 PRO, on the other hand, steps up the performance with the Intel Core i3 N300 processor, catering to more demanding tasks. Memory-wise, the F2-424 and F4-424 are equipped with 8 GB of DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM, while the F4-424 PRO doubles this capacity to 16 GB, enhancing its multitasking capabilities. Storage options vary across the models, with the F2-424 featuring two disk slots, suitable for personal or small office setups, and the F4-424 and F4-424 PRO offering four disk slots, providing more flexibility and capacity for intensive data storage needs.Here is a comparison table for the TerraMaster F2-424, F4-424, and F4-424 PRO NAS devices with the correct CPU specifications:

Feature/Specification TerraMaster F2-424 TerraMaster F4-424 TerraMaster F4-424 PRO
Processor Model Intel® Celeron N95 Intel® Celeron N95 Intel® Core™ i3 N300
Processor Architecture X.86 64-bit X.86 64-bit X.86 64-bit
Processor Frequency Max burst up to 3.4 GHz Max burst up to 3.4 GHz Max Turbo Frequency 3.80 GHz
Total Cores 4 4 8
Total Threads 4 4 8
System Memory 8 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM 8 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM 16 GB (Max, dependent on memory type)
Memory Slot Number 1 (DDR5 SODIMM) 1 (DDR5 SODIMM) 1
Maximum Supported Memory 32 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM 32 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM 16 GB
Disk Slot Number 2 4 4
Compatible Drive Types 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD
Maximum Internal Raw Storage Capacity 44 TB (22 TB x2) 88 TB (22 TB x4) 88 TB (22 TB x4)
Drive Hot Swap Yes Yes Yes
External Ports 2 RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2 USB3.1, HDMI 2 RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2 USB3.1, HDMI 2 RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2 USB3.1, HDMI
Dimensions (HWD) 222 x 119 x 154 mm 222 x 179 x 154 mm 222 x 179 x 154 mm
Weight 2.2 kg 3.4 kg 3.4 kg
System Fan 80 x 80 x 25 mm 80 x 80 x 25 mm 120 x 120 x 25 mm
Noise Level 19.0 dB(A) 19.0 dB(A) 21.0 dB(A)
Power Supply 40 W 40 W 90 W
Power Consumption 22.0 W (active), 11.0 W (hibernation) 22.0 W (active), 11.0 W (hibernation) 33.0 W (active), 13.0 W (hibernation)
Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C 0°C to 40°C 0°C to 40°C
Supported OS Windows, Mac, Linux Windows, Mac, Linux Windows, Mac, Linux
Supported Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
Supported Mobile OS iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+
Networking TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS
Security Features Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048
Price (Approximate) $379 $499 $699

This table provides a detailed comparison across key features and specifications for these TerraMaster NAS models. A common thread among these TerraMaster NAS units is their robust build and reliable performance. Each model supports both 3.5″ SATA HDDs and 2.5″ SATA SSDs, ensuring versatility in storage media choices. Networking is a strong suit, with all models featuring 2.5GbE network jacks for faster data transfer speeds, and HDMI ports for direct video output. Compatibility with various operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux, alongside comprehensive security features like firewall protection and AES encryption, underscores their flexibility and security focus.

When assessing these models for purchase, potential buyers should consider their specific needs. The number of disk slots is a critical factor, with the F2-424’s two slots being ideal for less demanding storage requirements, while the four slots in the F4-424 and F4-424 PRO are better suited for larger storage pools and more intensive applications. The F4-424 PRO, with its superior Intel Core i3 N300 processor and expanded memory, is particularly geared towards business environments that require higher processing power and greater multitasking abilities.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS – CPU Differences

The choice of CPU significantly influences the performance of these NAS units. The Intel Celeron N95, powering the F2-424 and F4-424, is a quad-core processor with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.4 GHz and a 6 MB cache, capable of efficiently handling everyday storage tasks. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory types, up to a speed of 4800 MHz, and can manage 4K graphics output at 60Hz, making it suitable for media-heavy applications. The Intel Core i3 N300 in the F4-424 PRO is an 8-core powerhouse, offering a higher turbo frequency of 3.8 GHz, which translates into faster processing and more efficient handling of data-intensive tasks. This processor also supports the same memory types and speeds as the N95 but stands out with enhanced graphics capabilities, owing to a greater number of execution units and a higher maximum dynamic frequency.

Specification Intel N95 CPU (F2-424 / F4-442) Intel N300 CPU (F4-424 PRO)
Product Collection Intel® Processor N-series Intel® Core™ i3 Processor N-series
Code Name Products formerly Alder Lake-N Products formerly Alder Lake-N
Vertical Segment Mobile Mobile
Processor Number N95 i3-N300
Lithography Intel 7 Intel 7
Total Cores 4 8
Total Threads 4 8
Max Turbo Frequency 3.40 GHz 3.80 GHz
Cache 6 MB 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
TDP 15 W 7 W
Max Memory Size 16 GB (dependent on memory type) 16 GB (dependent on memory type)
Memory Types DDR4 3200 MT/s, DDR5 4800 MT/s, LPDDR5 4800 MT/s DDR4 3200 MT/s, DDR5 4800 MT/s, LPDDR5 4800 MT/s
Max Memory Channels 1 1
ECC Memory Supported No No
GPU Name Intel® UHD Graphics Intel® UHD Graphics
Max Dynamic Frequency 1.20 GHz 1.25 GHz
Graphics Output eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, MIPI-DSI 1.3 eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, MIPI-DSI 1.3
Execution Units 16 32
4K Support Yes, at 60Hz Yes, at 60Hz
Max Resolution (HDMI) 4096 x 2160@60Hz 4096 x 2160@60Hz
DirectX Support* 12.1 12.1
OpenGL Support* 4.6 4.6
OpenCL Support* 3.0 3.0
# of Displays Supported 3 3
PCI Express Lanes 9 Gen 3 9 Gen 3
USB Revision 2.0/3.2 2.0/3.2
TJUNCTION 105°C 105°C
Instruction Set 64-bit 64-bit
Advanced Technologies Includes Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0, Intel® Image Processing Unit 6.0, Intel® Speed Shift Technology, Intel® Virtualization Technology, etc. Includes Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0, Intel® Image Processing Unit 6.0, Intel® Speed Shift Technology, Intel® Virtualization Technology, etc.

Delving deeper into the usability aspects, all three models boast a user-friendly interface, making them accessible even to NAS novices. Their compatibility with various RAID configurations offers flexibility in data management and redundancy, crucial for data integrity and security. The inclusion of HDMI ports opens up possibilities for direct media playback, a feature that is particularly beneficial in home entertainment setups or digital signage applications. The TerraMaster NAS units also excel in connectivity options, with multiple USB and Ethernet ports providing the versatility needed in modern connected environments. This connectivity, coupled with their compact and sleek design, makes these NAS devices a fit for various settings, from home offices to more formal business environments.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS – Should You Buy?

The TerraMaster’s F2-424, F4-424, and F4-424 PRO NAS units cater to a wide range of storage needs. The F2-424 and F4-424, with the Intel Celeron N95, are excellent choices for general home use and small offices, offering reliable performance for standard storage and media tasks. The F4-424 PRO, powered by the Intel Core i3 N300, is a step up, designed to meet the demands of business environments and power users who require enhanced processing power and expanded memory. This range from TerraMaster highlights a commitment to providing versatile, scalable storage solutions across different user needs and budget ranges, making them a noteworthy option in the NAS market.

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Aoostar R1 and R7 2-Bay NAS Review – New Kind of NAS?

Par : Rob Andrews
20 décembre 2023 à 17:03

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review

In 2024, the landscape of digital storage and data management is evolving rapidly, influenced heavily by the rising costs of third-party cloud services such as Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox. As subscription fees climb, many individuals and businesses are reconsidering their reliance on these external cloud solutions. The increasing financial burden is pushing a growing number of users towards exploring private, on-site server solutions for data storage and management. This shift is driven by the desire for more control over data, enhanced security, and, notably, a more cost-effective long-term storage strategy. In this context, the network-attached storage (NAS) market is witnessing an interesting divergence in user preferences. On one end, there are full turnkey NAS solutions from well-known brands like Synology and QNAP. These devices are valued for their ready-to-use nature, coming with comprehensive software ecosystems and user-friendly interfaces. They are ideal for those who prefer ease and simplicity, offering reliability without the need for deep technical engagement.

Conversely, the other end of the spectrum is dominated by build-it-yourself NAS solutions, leveraging free software platforms such as TrueNAS Core and TrueNAS Scale. This approach appeals to tech enthusiasts who enjoy customizing their systems. It offers greater flexibility and can be more cost-effective, allowing users to repurpose existing hardware or select components that meet their specific needs. However, this option demands a good grasp of both hardware and software intricacies. Amidst these options, a middle ground is becoming increasingly popular, especially among users who seek a balance between the plug-and-play convenience of turnkey solutions and the customization freedom of DIY systems. This is where products like the Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units find their relevance. These NAS models aim to provide a compromise, offering the foundational benefits of pre-built systems with opportunities for customization to suit individual preferences. They cater to users who want more control than what standard turnkey solutions offer but prefer to avoid the complexities of a full DIY setup.

Aoostar R1 2-Bay NAS (Intel N100 Version)

Aoostar R7 2-Bay NAS (AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Version)
Amazon >>>

$419 (Check Amazon HERE)

Aliexpress >>>

$309 (Check Aliexpress HERE)

Amazon >>>

$419 (Check Amazon HERE)

Aliexpress >>>

$388 (Check Aliexpress HERE)

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Quick Conclusion

Even on a casual analysis of the Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units, it is clear that these devices offer a compelling option for those in the market for a NAS solution that strikes a balance between turnkey and DIY systems. The Aoostar R1, with its Intel Processor N100, and the R7, powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, cater to a diverse range of needs, from basic home storage to more demanding small business applications, providing two solutions that provide significantly higher calibre hardware for the price point than comparable level offerings from Synology and QNAP. On the positive side, both models showcase a thoughtful design that maximizes internal space while maintaining a compact external footprint. Their double-sided micro ITX motherboards and the ability to accommodate multiple storage options highlight a commitment to efficiency and flexibility. The ease of access for upgrades and maintenance, thanks to the removable external casing and internal frame, is another plus, making these units user-friendly. However, there are areas where improvements could be beneficial. The cooling system, particularly in the R7 model, raises concerns, especially considering the potential for heat build-up given the powerful Ryzen processor and the proximity of the CPU fan to the hard drive bays. The absence of 10GbE connectivity in the R7 is a notable limitation for users seeking higher network performance. Additionally, while the pricing of these units is competitive, the lack of ECC memory support in the more powerful R7 model is a missed opportunity to appeal to a broader professional market. The Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units present a viable middle-ground solution for those looking to move away from third-party cloud services or seeking an alternative to the extremes of the NAS market. While they may not satisfy the most demanding users or those seeking the highest level of customization, they offer a solid balance of performance, ease of use, and expandability.

BUILD QUALITY - 8/10
HARDWARE - 9/10
PERFORMANCE - 8/10
PRICE - 9/10
VALUE - 10/10


8.8
PROS
👍🏻- Compact and efficient design with double-sided micro ITX motherboards.
👍🏻- Flexibility in storage options with support for multiple drives and M.2 NVMe SSDs.
👍🏻- User-friendly access for upgrades and maintenance.
👍🏻- Good balance of performance and price, especially in the R1 model.
👍🏻- Support for WiFi 6 and multiple high-speed USB and networking ports.
👍🏻- Windows 11 pre-installed, offering a familiar operating system environment.
CONS
👎🏻- Potential for inadequate cooling, particularly in the R7 model.
👎🏻- Lack of 10GbE connectivity in the R7, limiting higher network performance.
👎🏻- No support for ECC memory, which could be a drawback for professional users.
👎🏻- Concerns about the physical placement of components and their impact on system cooling and longevity.
👎🏻- The R7’s higher price point might be a barrier for some users, considering the noted limitations.


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Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Packaging & Retail Kit

The Aoostar NAS arrives in a simple, unadorned box, constructed from single-layer cardboard, which seems to prioritize cost-effectiveness over aesthetics. Inside, the unit is nestled in a thin plastic mold that conforms to its shape, providing basic protection during shipping. This minimalistic approach to packaging reflects a focus on practicality and cost-reduction, a common strategy in the tech industry, especially for budget-friendly products.

As this device is designed to balance high value with low cost, the choice of packaging materials clearly indicates where the brand has chosen to economize. The packaging is the first aspect where cost-saving measures are apparent, suggesting that Aoostar has allocated resources more towards the device’s functionality rather than its unboxing experience. This decision is not uncommon among technology manufacturers, especially when the goal is to offer competitively priced products without compromising on core features.

Included accessories are practical and sufficient for setting up the device: an external PSU, a setup instruction guide, an HDMI cable, and the Aoostar NAS unit itself. These components provide the essentials needed to get the system up and running right out of the box. The inclusion of a setup guide is particularly helpful for users who may be new to setting up NAS systems, ensuring a smooth and guided installation process.

The unit does not come with any additional storage drives, aside from the internal OS NVMe SSD which already has Windows 11 installed. This decision keeps the overall package weight under 1KG, making it lightweight and easy to handle. Customers should be aware that they’ll need to purchase additional storage drives separately if they wish to expand the NAS’s capabilities, especially given its support for up to two 3.5-inch hard drives as previously noted. The absence of an Ethernet cable in the package might seem unusual, but this can be seen as another cost-saving measure by Aoostar. It is likely presumed that many users already possess such cables, or prefer to select cables of a specific length or quality to suit their setup. This omission, while minor, is a reminder of the company’s focus on delivering a high-value product at a lower cost.

The included external 90W PSU is a fairly standard component and comes with a local regional mains cable attachment. This power supply unit is compatible with the device, ensuring reliable power delivery for optimal performance. The inclusion of the regional mains cable attachment is a thoughtful addition, catering to the specific needs of the user based on their location. However, the 90W rating of the external PSU for the Aoostar R1 seems somewhat excessive, considering the modest power requirements of the N100 CPU inside the NAS. This higher wattage is likely not fully utilized given the CPU’s efficiency and low power consumption. It’s possible that Aoostar uses the same 90W PSU across different models for consistency in manufacturing, which might explain its presence in the R1 kit despite the unit’s lower power needs.

Ultimately, while the Aoostar R1 system will never fully utilize the 90W capacity of the PSU, this choice might reflect a standardized approach in the production line, particularly when considering the similarities with the Aoostar R7. The R7, equipped with a more powerful Ryzen 7 8-core processor, would have higher power demands, possibly justifying the use of a 90W PSU in its kit. This uniformity in power supply units across different models can be a strategic decision to streamline production and reduce costs. Overall, the packaging of the Aoostar NAS might not impress in terms of visual appeal or materials, but the contents of the retail kit are thoughtfully chosen and entirely functional. The focus seems to be on delivering a good quality product with the necessary accessories for operation, rather than on providing a premium unboxing experience. This approach aligns with the brand’s apparent strategy of offering high-value, cost-effective computing solutions.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Design

The Aoostar R1’s physical design stands out in the NAS market due to its taller stature compared to many turnkey 2-Bay NAS devices. However, when considering its overall volume, it aligns closely with models like the Synology DS224+ and QNAP TS-264 NAS. This height difference, while noticeable, does not significantly impact the unit’s footprint, making it a viable option for users accustomed to the size of mainstream NAS devices.

The ventilation system of the Aoostar R1 is meticulously designed, dividing airflow management into three key areas for optimal cooling. The first area is a large base vent equipped with a 90mm fan, which forms the foundation of the unit’s cooling mechanism. This base vent is crucial for maintaining a steady airflow, ensuring that the internal components remain at an optimal temperature during operation.

Adding to the cooling efficiency, there’s a top-mounted and removable vent panel. This panel not only facilitates easy access for maintenance but also enhances the ventilation by covering the additional ventilated drive trays. The removable nature of this panel demonstrates a thoughtful design, allowing for both effective cooling and convenient maintenance.

The system also includes a robust combined CPU heatsink and an attached copper fan, strategically positioned to direct airflow towards the top panel. This arrangement enhances heat dissipation, crucial for maintaining system stability and performance. The design indicates a careful consideration of airflow dynamics, ensuring that the heat generated by the CPU is effectively managed. While the overall design is impressive, there are some reservations about the positioning of the CPU and main micro-ITX board, especially in the context of the higher thermal design power (TDP) Ryzen 7 equipped Aoostar R7 model. The concern lies in these components being sandwiched between the HDD bays, which could potentially impact thermal management. However, this is less of an issue in the N100-equipped R1 version, which has a much lower TDP and therefore generates less heat.

The main storage bays in the Aoostar R1, although functional, have a slightly flimsy construction and utilize removable drive screw grommets that feel somewhat cheap. This aspect of the design might raise questions about durability and long-term reliability. Despite this, the bays serve their purpose and allow for the installation of storage media with relative ease.

Both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA media can be installed in these bays, with the latter requiring additional screws for secure placement. This flexibility in media compatibility is a plus, catering to different storage needs and preferences. The design ensures that the drives, once installed, feel secure in the trays and directly connect to combined data and power SATA connectors internally, eliminating the concern of loose cables. In terms of aesthetic comparison, the Aoostar R1’s design bears a resemblance to the Mac Pro desktop from the mid-2010s or the Drobo Data Transporter. This comparison highlights the unit’s modern and professional appearance, which may appeal to users who appreciate sleek and functional design in their tech devices.

Hot swapping of the 2 SATA storage bays is not supported with the pre-installed Windows 11 software, but this functionality is likely to be achievable with alternative operating systems such as TrueNAS or UnRAID. The flexibility to install different operating systems adds to the device’s versatility, catering to users who require more advanced storage management features. Internally, the Aoostar R1 is equipped with additional storage capabilities, featuring a single M.2 NVMe Gen 3 2280 slot. This slot comes preoccupied with the OS drive, highlighting the unit’s readiness for immediate use. The inclusion of an M.2 slot offers fast data transfer speeds and efficient storage, enhancing the overall performance of the device.

The Aoostar R7 NAS, on the other hand, benefits from an additional M.2 NVMe SSD 2280 slot, also supporting Gen 3. This extra slot in the R7 model provides greater flexibility and capacity for storage expansion, making it a more suitable choice for users with higher storage demands. Finally, the base 90mm fan of the Aoostar R1 operates very quietly, contributing to a pleasant user experience. However, during operation, the CPU fan becomes audible, even under light use. This noise level is possibly due to the motherboard’s placement directly between the SATA bays, which may affect airflow and consequently the cooling efficiency of the CPU fan.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Ports and Connections

The Aoostar R1 and R7 models boast identical port configurations, a design choice that simplifies user understanding across the product line. This uniformity in ports ensures that users can have a consistent experience regardless of which model they choose. The similarity in port offerings across these models reflects a streamlined approach to product design, making it easier for users to transition between different models if needed.

Among the available ports, there are 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A 10Gb/s ports and a USB-C port, providing high-speed data transfer capabilities. These ports are ideal for connecting external storage devices, high-resolution cameras, or other peripherals that benefit from fast data transfer rates. The inclusion of a USB-C port also adds a level of future-proofing, as it’s becoming the standard for many modern devices.

Additionally, there are two USB 2.0 ports, which are most suitable for connecting peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, especially when using the NAS with its visual outputs. These ports, while not suitable for high-speed data transfers, are perfectly adequate for input devices. Their inclusion ensures that essential peripherals can be connected without occupying the more valuable high-speed ports.

Regarding visual output, the units are equipped with an HDMI 2.0 and a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, both capable of supporting 4K resolution at 60FPS. This capability is particularly beneficial for users who need high-definition output, such as for media servers or digital signage. The ability to deliver 4K content smoothly makes these NAS units versatile in various settings, from home entertainment to professional environments. The support for KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) is dependent on the NAS software in use and its capability to support an external graphical user interface. The Windows 11 software included with these units is a standard desktop operating system, not a server version of Windows. This choice implies that the NAS is intended for users who are comfortable with a familiar, user-friendly interface rather than a specialized server environment.

The default network connection on the Aoostar R1 consists of 2x 2.5GbE ports, which also support auto-negotiation with 1GbE networks. This feature ensures compatibility with a wide range of network speeds and environments, making it a flexible choice for different types of network setups. The 2.5GbE connectivity offers a balance between high-speed data transfer and compatibility with existing network infrastructures.

Users have the option to expand network capabilities using various USB-to-2.5GbE adapters, which typically cost between $15-25. These adapters provide an affordable way to add more network connections, enhancing the unit’s functionality in complex network environments. This flexibility is particularly useful for users who need to integrate the NAS into a network with specific requirements. The absence of a 10GbE port is understandable in the modestly powered Aoostar R1, equipped with an N100 processor, but it is a more noticeable limitation in the higher-powered Ryzen 7 8-Core Aoostar R7. Ideally, it would have been preferable to have a 10GbE port, possibly by repurposing the internal additional M.2 NVMe port to an external 10GbE connection through an adapter or motherboard modification. Such a feature would significantly enhance the data transfer capabilities of the R7 model, making it more suitable for environments with higher network performance requirements.

There is no PCIe upgradeable slot in these models, and the full extent of the PCIe lanes afforded to this architecture is already maximized. This limitation is understandable, considering the compact form factor and the intended use case of these NAS units. While it limits the potential for hardware upgrades, it also ensures a more stable and reliable system by design. Overall, it’s evident that the physical connectivity of the Aoostar R1 and R7 models aligns with the rest of the Aoostar N1 and N7 Mini PC series, albeit with modifications tailored towards a 2-Bay NAS system. This consistency in design across different models reflects a strategic approach to product development, focusing on creating versatile, user-friendly devices that cater to a range of needs and preferences.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Internal Hardware

Accessing the internal hardware of the Aoostar R1 is a straightforward process, involving the removal of four screws located at the base panel. This user-friendly design is indicative of Aoostar’s commitment to making their devices easily serviceable. Once the screws are removed, the external casing can be easily lifted off, revealing the inner components.

Sliding out the internal frame, the double-sided micro ITX motherboard becomes visible, showcasing the compact and efficient design of the Aoostar R1. This reveals the intricate engineering that has gone into maximizing the use of space within the unit. The double-sided nature of the motherboard is a clever use of space, allowing for more components to be fitted into the compact NAS unit.

On one side of this motherboard, the combined CPU cooler and heatsink are prominently featured. This setup is crucial for maintaining optimal operating temperatures and ensuring the longevity and reliability of the CPU. The integration of the cooler and heatsink into a single unit demonstrates a focus on efficient thermal management within the compact form factor of the NAS.

Here are the side-by-side specifications of the Aoostar R1 and R7, which vary in price by around $100-150 depending on your configuration:

Specification Aoostar R1 Aoostar R7
CPU Intel Processor N100 quad-core AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, 8 cores/16 threads
Graphics 24EU Intel HD graphics @ 750 MHz AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM Up to 16GB DDR4-3200 (1x slot) Up to 64GB DDR4-3200 (2x slots)
Storage 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (optional) 512GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (optional)
Additional M.2 Slot None 1 (M.2 2280, NVMe)
Networking 2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 6 2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 6
USB Ports 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0
Video Output HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4 HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4
Power Supply 90W external PSU 90W external PSU
Dimensions 162 x 162 x 198 mm 162 x 162 x 198 mm
Weight Approx. 1kg Approx. 1kg

There are concerns about the placement of the CPU fan in the Aoostar R1, as it is positioned directly above a 3.5″ hard drive. This configuration could potentially lead to the intake of warm air into the cooler, affecting its efficiency, or it might limit the dissipation of heat from the heatsink. Such a design choice may have implications for the thermal management of the device, especially under heavy use.

Flipping the motherboard reveals the M.2 NVMe storage bay(s) in the R1 and R7 models, respectively. The R1 model includes a single M.2 NVMe slot, while the R7 benefits from an additional slot. This difference in storage expansion capabilities highlights the R7’s suitability for more demanding storage requirements. Each model comes with two SODIMM DDR4 memory slots, offering flexibility in memory configuration. Customers have the option to purchase the device without memory, or they can opt for configurations with 16GB or 32GB (2x 16GB) of 3200MHz DDR4 RAM. This choice allows users to tailor the memory to their specific needs and budget.

It’s important to note that the system does not support ECC Memory, which, while not critical for this scale of operation, could have been a beneficial feature in the more powerful R7 unit. ECC Memory offers improved data integrity, which is particularly useful in environments where data accuracy is paramount. However, for most home and small office applications, the lack of ECC Memory is not a significant drawback. The Aoostar units come equipped with WiFi 6 support, delivered via an M.2 AX Intel WiFi module. This modern wireless standard provides faster and more reliable internet connectivity. The WiFi module feeds into two internal antennas located on the base of the frame on either side, ensuring optimal signal reception and transmission.

This integration of advanced networking capabilities into the Aoostar’s design is an impressive modification of the existing architecture of other Aoostar mini PCs, now adapted for a 2-Bay NAS system. The transformation from a standard mini PC to a NAS system involves more than just adding hard drive bays; it requires a thoughtful reconfiguration of internal components to support NAS functionalities effectively. However, concerns about the physical placement of the motherboard persist, especially considering the Aoostar models are designed for 24/7 operation. While the systems will experience extended idle periods, during busy times, the CPU could potentially experience performance throttling due to insufficient cooling. This concern is more pronounced in the R7 model, equipped with a more powerful Ryzen 7 processor, which generates more heat and thus requires more efficient cooling.

Both the Intel N100 in the Aoostar R1 and the Ryzen 7 in the R7 feature multi-core architectures and integrated graphics. However, the Vega graphics in the R7 are notably superior in terms of performance and capabilities. This difference in graphics processing power makes the R7 model more suitable for tasks that require more robust graphical processing, such as media transcoding or light gaming.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Verdict and Conclusion

Even on a casual analysis of the Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units, it is clear that these devices offer a compelling option for those in the market for a NAS solution that strikes a balance between turnkey and DIY systems. The Aoostar R1, with its Intel Processor N100, and the R7, powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, cater to a diverse range of needs, from basic home storage to more demanding small business applications, providing two solutions that provide significantly higher calibre hardware for the price point than comparable level offerings from Synology and QNAP. On the positive side, both models showcase a thoughtful design that maximizes internal space while maintaining a compact external footprint. Their double-sided micro ITX motherboards and the ability to accommodate multiple storage options highlight a commitment to efficiency and flexibility. The ease of access for upgrades and maintenance, thanks to the removable external casing and internal frame, is another plus, making these units user-friendly. However, there are areas where improvements could be beneficial. The cooling system, particularly in the R7 model, raises concerns, especially considering the potential for heat build-up given the powerful Ryzen processor and the proximity of the CPU fan to the hard drive bays. The absence of 10GbE connectivity in the R7 is a notable limitation for users seeking higher network performance. Additionally, while the pricing of these units is competitive, the lack of ECC memory support in the more powerful R7 model is a missed opportunity to appeal to a broader professional market. The Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units present a viable middle-ground solution for those looking to move away from third-party cloud services or seeking an alternative to the extremes of the NAS market. While they may not satisfy the most demanding users or those seeking the highest level of customization, they offer a solid balance of performance, ease of use, and expandability.

 

Aoostar R1 2-Bay NAS (Intel N100 Version)

Aoostar R7 2-Bay NAS (AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Version)
Amazon >>>

$419 (Check Amazon HERE)

Aliexpress >>>

$309 (Check Aliexpress HERE)

Amazon >>>

$419 (Check Amazon HERE)

Aliexpress >>>

$388 (Check Aliexpress HERE)

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS PROS Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS CONS
– Compact and efficient design with double-sided micro ITX motherboards.
– Flexibility in storage options with support for multiple drives and M.2 NVMe SSDs.
– User-friendly access for upgrades and maintenance.
– Good balance of performance and price, especially in the R1 model.
– Support for WiFi 6 and multiple high-speed USB and networking ports.
– Windows 11 pre-installed, offering a familiar operating system environment.
– Potential for inadequate cooling, particularly in the R7 model.
– Lack of 10GbE connectivity in the R7, limiting higher network performance.
– No support for ECC memory, which could be a drawback for professional users.
– Concerns about the physical placement of components and their impact on system cooling and longevity.
– The R7’s higher price point might be a barrier for some users, considering the noted limitations.
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Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Design Node 304 NAS Case – Which DiY NAS Case Should You Buy?

Par : Rob Andrews
4 décembre 2023 à 18:00

Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case Comparison

If you’ve been in the market to buy yourself a desktop NAS enclosure on your road towards building the perfect private cloud that is completely under your control, then there is a pretty good chance that you have looked at the Jonsbo N2 case and the Fractal Node 304 NAS enclosure. These are 2 DIY NAS cases that have been released around a decade apart, yet they are both among the most popular and most recommended desktop cases in the market. It’s surprising how 10 years can pass, yet these two server cases still hold prominence. This prominence leaves you with the ultimate question: which one is best suited to your rather compact private server needs? That is what we’re covering in today’s article. We are going to compare these cases, their strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll know which one is going to proudly house your future data storage cloud.

Jonsbo N2

Fractal Node 304

Amazon Check $149 (Check Amazon HERE) $89 (Check Amazon HERE)
AliExpress Check $76 (Check Aliexpress HERE) $109 (Check Aliexpress HERE)
Storage Potential – Supports 5 traditional HDDs and 1 SATA SSD. – Can accommodate 6 drives with more flexibility.
– Modern ejectable storage bays. – Older design, non-ejectable drive caddies.
CPU & Mobo Support – Limited CPU cooler height up to 65mm. – Ample space for CPU coolers up to 160mm.
– More compact design for motherboard support. – Horizontal motherboard placement at base.
PCIe Upgrades – Supports only specific dimensions for PCIe cards. – Highly flexible, supporting most PCIe cards.
– Limited to half-height, 3/4 length cards. – Space and design born from the GPU boom era.
Ventilation – Single fan behind storage bays. – Enhanced ventilation with multiple fan setups.

Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case – Specifications Compared

Before we go any further, it’s worth quickly comparing the specifications of these two cases. As mentioned earlier, private NAS server components have been in development from hundreds of brands across thousands of products for many years now, and it can be easy to accidentally choose an incompatible piece of hardware. Therefore, I recommend you take the time to quickly check the specifications below, just to double-check that the Jonsbo N2 and Fractal Node 304 are definitely going to be compatible with your CPU, motherboard, or PSU of choice.

Specification/Feature Jonsbo N2

Fractal Node 304

Dimensions 222.5mm(W) x 222.5mm(D) x 224mm(H) 250mm (W) x 210mm (H) x 374mm (D)
Material External: 2.0mm Aluminum alloy; Internal: 1mm Steel Not specified
HDD/SSD Positions 1 x 2.5″ SSD, 5 x 3.5″ HDD 6 (3.5″ / 2.5″)
Motherboard Compatibility ITX Mini ITX, Mini DTX
PCI Expansion Slots 1 x Low profile single slot 2
Front Ports 1 x USB 3.0 / USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, Audio+Mic (Combined) 2x USB 3.0, 1x 3.5 mm audio in, 1x 3.5mm audio out, Power button with LED, HDD LED
PSU Compatibility SFX (≤150mm) ATX (up to 160 mm in length)
Max. CPU Cooler Height ≤65mm 165mm
GPU Max Length ≤197mm (Low profile) 310mm (restrictions apply)
Cooling System 1 x 12015mm fan (built-in) Front: 2x 92mm, Rear: 1x 140mm
Weight 2.9kg 4.9kg
Warranty Not specified 2 Years

Even a casual glance at the specifications side by side will give you a decent understanding of the slightly different target audience that these two systems have in mind. The Jonsbo N2 appears to be a more compact solution, while the Fractal Node 304 definitely seems bulkier of the two. With that said, let’s move on to our first section: design.

Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case – Design

One of the clearest and most obvious distinctions between the N2 and the Node 304 is the sheer physical size difference. Even though both of these systems offer a somewhat similar level of hardware support and internal cavities for different utilities, there’s a significant distinction between them in terms of physical space.

A large part of this difference stems from how each system is oriented in terms of its intended use. The Fractal Node 304 is much more focused on storage than on other cloud server applications. This orientation allows the system to be considerably more compact, emphasizing ventilation, with the storage cavity occupying roughly 30 to 40% of the entire enclosure’s physical space.

The Fractal Node 304, on the other hand, strikes a balance between storage, utilities, and support for numerous PCI upgrades in the future. Although both systems support only M-ITX motherboards, the Node 304 provides significantly more space for all internal components.

Both chassis predominantly feature a metal-based material design, with a smattering of plastic around the edges and front panel. They are available in both black and white color options, and neither have immediately visible LED indicators. The front panel of the Fractal Node 304 exhibits a brushed steel effect, with ventilation primarily around the edges rather than the front. The N2, however, boasts more ventilation around its front panel’s lower half, an aspect we’ll delve into shortly.

A notable distinction lies in their USB connectivity. The Fractal Node 304 offers two USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gb/s Type A connections, whereas the newer N2 provides a mix of USB Type A and Type C, alongside 10 gigabit USB 3.2 Gen 2 connections. It’s essential to ensure that your ITX motherboard has the appropriate front panel connectors (or you have an adapter card). This difference is one of the subtle quality-of-life enhancements resulting from the N2’s more recent release.

A decade ago, the Fractal Node case was a standout. Most DIY NAS cases back then were either slightly tweaked standard PC towers or bulky, outdated modded shuttle cases. These didn’t quite match the style of turnkey NAS solutions from brands like Synology or QNAP. Fast forward to 2023, and there’s a plethora of stylish and contemporary NAS enclosures for DIY enthusiasts. This change in landscape explains the surge in popularity for cases like the Jonsbo N2, known for their robust construction and tailored design for private server use. Aesthetically, I have a preference for the Jonsbo N2 due to its compact nature. But how does this more discreet and compact design fare? Up next, we’ll explore the ventilation and cooling aspects of these two NAS enclosures.

Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case – Ventilation and Cooling

To say that these two devices have approached the subject of ventilation in entirely different manners would be a significant understatement! This discrepancy is particularly striking given the vast differences in size between the two units. Even with a cursory look, it’s evident that the older Fractal Node 304 has superior ventilation.

The newer Jonsbo N2, with its more compact design, arguably offers a streamlined ventilation approach due to the significant space occupied by the 3.5″ bays. In the N2, most ventilation can be channeled along a singular path. As long as there are ample spaces between components, the fans can efficiently direct airflow through these cavities, exiting through passive ventilation outlets. Specifically, the N2 offers ventilation on both sides, across the top (directly above the motherboard and CPU fan), and at the rear where a large 120mm fan is positioned behind the storage drives.

In contrast, the Fractal Node 304 adopts a more expansive approach. While its front remains flat without any storage, ventilation surrounds its edges, complemented by a mesh vent at the top. Inside, two 92mm fans draw air in, channeling it towards an even more massive 140mm fan at the rear. These silent-design fans, despite numbering three, collaboratively minimize operational noise, a fact attested by multiple reviews over the years. Moreover, given the Node 304’s capacity to accommodate a wider range of internal components, additional passive ventilation and mesh panels are present on both sides, plus a removable mesh vent panel beneath the motherboard. With support for larger PCIe cards and power supplies, the Node 304’s side ventilation panels are also more expansive and include dust-capturing vents.

It’s reasonably expected for the larger case to have more ventilation and space for extra fans. Yet, considering both these systems support MITx motherboards and have a slight difference in SATA drive count, the stark difference in ventilation, especially given a similar price point, is surprising. In some places, the more extensive and better-ventilated Node 304 even offers more value for money. Furthermore, given the N2’s tightly packed hardware, one may wonder if its single fan and current ventilation strategy would suffice for more demanding builds. While the Jonsbo is undoubtedly a feast for the eyes and likely benefits from subsequent years of NAS case R&D, the Fractal Node remains the frontrunner in terms of superior ventilation and active cooling capabilities.

Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case – Storage Potential

Assessing the storage potential of both the N2 and Node 304 requires considering multiple aspects, such as the inherent storage capabilities and the potential for expansion. Both systems offer roughly similar SATA storage capacities, with each claiming support for six drives. In the N2’s case, this translates to five traditional hard drives and one SATA SSD drive. When incorporating the potential of upgradable PCIe cards (a topic we will delve into in more detail later), the Node 304 clearly allows users to attach a greater number of m.2 SSD drives via compatible expansion cards.

That said, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the decade-old Fractal Node 304 employs a somewhat outdated and intricate method for its SATA storage bays. Modern NAS cases generally favor hot-swappable storage bays and trays. These enhance the user experience by permitting the addition of new drives during an existing drive failure without powering down the system. This convenience leads to shorter RAID rebuilds and resync durations and demands less maintenance. This feature is especially valuable for premium business servers that cannot afford extended downtimes or for larger RAID configurations. The latter group avoids powering down and restarting existing storage pools, lest another faulty drive activates. Despite the Node 304’s enduring appeal since its launch, its design—featuring protruding drive caddies and requiring individual cable connections to motherboards or PCIe cards—feels dated. Consequently, the now-standard ejectable storage bays on the N2 appear far more attractive.

The N2 boasts somewhat unconventional yet user-friendly rubber-handled storage drive bays. Additionally, its internal backplane has all five combined SATA and power connectors directly soldered and aligned with the corresponding drive slots. Users will still need to connect each of these SATA drives to the motherboard via angled SATA cables through a dedicated space in the side of the enclosure. However, this configuration results in a much smoother drive installation process, which has been the preferred approach in most NAS server designs over the years.

Over the decade since the Fractal Node 304’s introduction, enthusiasts have created numerous modifications and 3D printed plans for improved storage brackets for this case. Some have even designed third-party SATA backplanes tailored for those protruding drive caddies, simplifying the task of connecting multiple drives. Nevertheless, in its original form, the Node 304’s drive bays come across as remarkably archaic, especially when juxtaposed with the direct-injection storage ease offered by the N2.

Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case – CPU and Mobo Support

Both the Jonsbo N2 and Fractal Node 304 NAS enclosures cater to DIY builders and are compatible with MRTX and DTX motherboards. The larger Node 804 accommodates m-ITX, attracting numerous users. However, MITx technology has witnessed significant advancements over recent years. Today, you can easily find ITX motherboards that support the most current Intel Core and IMD processors. This progress effectively negates any past limitations these compact motherboards may have posed. Within the context of the N2 and Node 304, the motherboard placement varies considerably.

The Fractal Node 304 positions the motherboard horizontally at the base of the case, complemented by the aforementioned ventilation panel underneath. Conversely, the N2 places the motherboard closer to the case’s top, yet it still maintains horizontal alignment. While both designs allow for the attachment of a PCIe card without necessitating a riser or sister board, the varied placements result in considerable differences in CPU cooler support. CPU fans, heat sinks, or coolers—regardless of terminology—are indispensable for 24/7 server operation. The more robust your CPU, the more substantial and sophisticated your cooling solution must be. If your system involves a moderate setup, like a top-tier Celeron or Pentium, the issue is less pressing. Many motherboards in this category come with an attached micro CPU fan or are compatible with horizontally-positioned CPU fans that are around an inch in height. However, advanced processors require more intricate coolers with integrated fans, copper piping, and a design that sits slightly above the motherboard to ensure optimal airflow.

Unfortunately, the Jonsbo N2 has a height restriction for CPU coolers at 65mm. Though coolers fitting this specification for contemporary processors do exist, they often carry a premium price due to their incorporation of more copper piping and multiple smaller fans. Moreover, a cooler’s efficacy increases when aligned with the case’s passive/active ventilation—a feature the N2 somewhat lacks. The N2’s singular fan is situated behind the storage bays, and there isn’t a dedicated fan space for the motherboard and CPU. In contrast, the Jonsbo N3 case can accommodate two 80mm fans, while the N2 lacks the space or the necessary mounting brackets.

On the other hand, the Node 304 not only includes two 92mm fans and a larger 140mm rear-mounted fan but also accommodates CPU coolers with a height of up to 160mm. Owing to the motherboard’s base-level positioning within the chassis, even after installing larger PCIe cards and hard drives, there remains ample space for the market’s most substantial CPU coolers—ideal for high-performance server configurations.

In summary, regarding motherboard and CPU installation, the Fractal Node 304 offers notably more space and cooling versatility than the N2, notwithstanding the decade gap in their respective release dates. Up next, we’ll explore PCIe installation, highlighting another key distinction between the two models.

Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case – PCIe Upgrades

Long-term scalability and upgrades of your NAS server aren’t considerations exclusive to businesses. Even the most casual enthusiast should factor in potential future changes. Whether you’re contemplating upgrading your local area network, enhancing your private server with lightning-fast m.2 SSD storage, or even venturing into adding a graphics card down the line, PCIe upgrade slots on your chosen NAS server will undoubtedly be a critical aspect, whether on day one or day 1,000. Choosing the appropriate NAS case, ensuring it allows you to effectively scale via PCIe expansions, is a foundational decision. It’s a choice that, years down the line, you’ll either commend or regret. The N2 seems to offer fewer considerations for PCIe upgrades, which is surprising given the decade difference in release dates compared to the Fractal Node 304.

The Fractal Node 304 can accommodate virtually any PCIe card, regardless of its height, length, or depth. Designed during the peak of GPU cryptocurrency mining, the Node 304 mitigates the single PCIe slot limitation inherent in M-ITX motherboards by providing ample space for almost any card—eliminating the need for a riser or expander card. This flexibility is not just due to its generous physical dimensions but also its thoughtful design: the side housing the PCIe slots boasts a large, ventilated, mesh-protected panel, which significantly boosts active airflow.

In contrast, the Jonsbo N2, while able to house a single PCIe card, imposes far more restrictions on card dimensions. Practically speaking, the N2 confines users to half-height, 3/4 length, and single-depth cards (owing to the lower cavity at the case’s top). Consequently, a majority of graphics cards are incompatible. Additionally, while single and dual-port cards will fit, quad-port cards—typically full-height—are incompatible. Another potential hurdle is the single card depth, which, though seldom an issue for network expansion cards, might become problematic for aggressive m.2 storage expander cards that come equipped with sizable heat dissipation panels.

For many, these limitations might not deter them from selecting the Jonsbo N2, which remains an excellent choice for a DIY NAS enclosure. However, it’s undeniable that the seasoned Fractal Node 304 provides more space and versatility for expansions.

Conclusion: Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case

After a detailed analysis of the Jonsbo N2 and the Fractal Node 304 NAS cases, it becomes clear that each offers unique advantages tailored to specific user needs. For the modern enthusiast or DIY builder who values sleek design and appreciates newer features like direct-injected storage bays, the Jonsbo N2 is a fantastic choice. Its design, though limiting in some aspects like PCIe upgrades, still offers sufficient versatility for those who don’t require expansive graphics or connectivity solutions. It’s well-suited for users who desire a NAS for standard use without aggressive expansion plans.

On the other hand, the Fractal Node 304, with its decade-old legacy, stands out for users prioritizing versatility and upgradability. Despite its older design, it offers more room for CPU coolers, greater flexibility in PCIe card selection, and superior ventilation—making it ideal for power users and those looking to build more aggressive server setups. Moreover, businesses and hobbyists inclined towards regular expansions will find the Node 304’s forward-thinking design a significant boon. Ultimately, choosing between the two boils down to individual requirements. The N2 serves as a modern, efficient solution for standard builds, while the Node 304 caters to those seeking maximum flexibility and growth potential.

Jonsbo N2

Fractal Node 304

Amazon Check $149 (Check Amazon HERE) $89 (Check Amazon HERE)
AliExpress Check $76 (Check Aliexpress HERE) $109 (Check Aliexpress HERE)
Storage Potential – Supports 5 traditional HDDs and 1 SATA SSD. – Can accommodate 6 drives with more flexibility.
– Modern ejectable storage bays. – Older design, non-ejectable drive caddies.
CPU & Mobo Support – Limited CPU cooler height up to 65mm. – Ample space for CPU coolers up to 160mm.
– More compact design for motherboard support. – Horizontal motherboard placement at base.
PCIe Upgrades – Supports only specific dimensions for PCIe cards. – Highly flexible, supporting most PCIe cards.
– Limited to half-height, 3/4 length cards. – Space and design born from the GPU boom era.
Ventilation – Single fan behind storage bays. – Enhanced ventilation with multiple fan setups.

This table succinctly encapsulates the strengths and weaknesses of both NAS cases, aiding potential buyers in making an informed decision based on their specific needs.

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions
If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a ☕ Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  
 
Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US
    
 
Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

☕ WE LOVE COFFEE ☕

 
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