UGREEN NASync Celebrates 2 Years – But Is UGREEN Ready for the Big Leagues?

Two years ago, the popular battery and PC accessory company UGREEN, launched their Kickstarter campaign for the NASync personal NAS series of devices. The brand already had a steadily growing foothold in China with their DX series of NAS devices, but were still a huge outsider in the world of NAS globally. Fast forward two years, a $6 Million crowdfunding campaign, 6 new NAS releases, a new NAS kickstarter in progress (the IDX6011 AI NAS) and generally undermining long-time players who have been in the NAS market for more than a decade – UGREEN is looking like quite a beast in the world of NAS! But two years, UGREEN now finds that along with an increased market position also comes increased demand, scrutiny and expectation. I went to Shenzhen, China, to speak directly with the teams who direct and create their NASync division to ask them them questions about the development of this series, lessons that were learnt, where they are going and what they still need to do to further establish their position in the turnkey NAS market.

Full Disclosure – this Q&A has NOT been sponsored, subsidised or creatively controlled by UGREEN. These questions are my own, submitted to UGREEN 48 hours prior to the interview, and the answers provided were directly from their team.

UGREEN was already a well-established company in its own right before it expanded into NAS systems. So, currently, what is the scale of the teams and resources that your company has allocated to this? R&D, Design, Development, Technical Support, etc?

UGREEN put together its NAS team back in 2018, released its first NAS product in China in 2021, and went global for the first time in 2024, bringing its NAS products to markets around the world. NAS is one of the company’s key strategic product lines, with a team of several hundred people working on it—including product, R&D, design, testing, security, and more. This doesn’t count shared support teams like industrial design, legal, or finance; we’re only talking about people directly focused on NAS. In this whole building, every floor is filled with NAS team members—except for the third floor, which is just the cafeteria.

What has been the biggest challenge in the continued development of your NASync/UGOS services in these last 2 years?

One challenge is resource allocation. We need to support international users at the same time, which means balancing different priorities and expectations. Another challenge is localization. It’s not just about language, but also understanding different user behaviors and usage scenarios. So we had to spend a lot more time to research and validate what users actually need in each region. Based on that, we’ve been continuously adjusting our product direction and improving UGOS to better fit a global audience. It’s definitely an ongoing process, but it’s helped us build a much clearer understanding of the market.

Two years on from your initial crowdfunding, your position in the ‘turnkey NAS market’ from comparative obscurity has catapulted to effectively being in the top 5 (if not top 3) – What do you think UGREEN have brought to the market (or change in the market as a whole) that caused this?

There are a few key things behind that.

Hardware DNA, Built for AI

UGREEN is a hardware company at heart. With our NAS products, we insist on solid hardware—high-performance CPUs, ample memory, high-performance CPUs and ample memory—not just for reliability, but for computing power. AI NAS demands serious performance. Without a strong hardware foundation, AI is nothing more than a concept. Our hardware is designed to make AI run stable and fast.

User-Centric, Not Just a Slogan

We’ve always put ourselves in our users’ shoes. We listen to every voice—on social media, in forums, through user interviews. Many of our features, like snapshots and SAN Manager, came directly from users telling us, “I need this.” Our products aren’t built in a vacuum; they’re shaped together with you.

R&D Investment, Bringing NAS to Everyone

We established our software R&D team, including an AI pre-research team, early on. User feedback has driven us to keep investing, with one goal in mind: to shorten the learning curve. NAS shouldn’t be just a toy for tech enthusiasts. We believe the future of NAS is for everyone—simple, smart, and accessible. This is the path we’re on, and it’s one we want to walk together with you.

The UGREEN IDX6011 AI NAS series has been in development for a long time, and will be headed to its own crowdfunding campaign shortly. What was the biggest challenge you faced in its development and/or lesson that you learned about this new profile of solution?

The biggest challenge was finding the right balance between AI capabilities and real user value. It’s relatively easy to add AI features from a technical perspective, but making them actually useful, stable, and well-integrated into everyday workflows is much harder. Especially on a NAS, NAS is essentially a local storage product, everything runs locally, so for us, it was important that AI features also run locally. But hardware resources and compute power are limited. So the question is, how do we build useful and stable AI features without affecting NAS core functionality like storage, backup and overall system performance? That’s very difficult.

And from product design perspective，it’s also challenging to define the right AI use cases. It’s not about adding more AI features, but making sure they are scenario-driven and actually solve real problems, like better file organization, smarter search, easier intraction… We need to keep the experience simple. Many users are still new to AI on a NAS, so we wanna make things natural and do not add extra complexity. So right now, we’re still in the process of refining and validating these ideas, and making sure we deliver something that’s both practical and reliable for users.

I think it would be fair to say that UGREEN has chiefly focused on Desktop NAS server ownership in their portfolio of solutions to date. But have you explored rackmount solutions, and/or is this something that could happen in the near future?

Actually we’ve done some internal research on rackmount solutions, it’s quite different from desktop NAS in terms of target audience, hardware, software and sales. So it’s not just an extension of what we’re doing now, it requires a different product strategy. For now, our focus is still on improving and expanding our desktop NAS lineup, in the short term, we don’t have a concrete plan for rackmount products, but it’s something we’ll continue to evaluate over time.

Now that UGREEN is a largely established player in the turnkey NAS market, there is a lot more scrutiny on the extent to which your brand preemptively prepares against cyber security threats. What is UGREEN doing to address (in terms of foundations on this platform and broader services) this to avoid a potential slow moving snowballing security incident?

Security is something we take very seriously. At the product level, we provide a range of built-in security features. For example, users can enable DoS protection to defend against network attacks, automatically block IP addresses after multiple failed login attempts, and set up firewall rules to control access from specific IP addresses and built-in Security app to scan for suspicious files We also have a dedicated internal security team and a well-established vulnerability handling process, so critical issues can be identified and resolved quickly. We also provide a vulnerability reporting channel on our official website. If users discover any potential security issues, they can report them to us, and we will assess and respond accordingly.

(Below is a snippet of the Security Disclosure page from UGREEN, available HERE)

At CES 2026, UGREEN unveiled its surveillance platform and edge AI cameras. At that time, your team was kind enough to allow me to see the early development of your NAS surveillance application that will allow full management, direct control and storage of these new Surveillance services. Is development still continuing on this and will this be a service that existing NASync owners will have access to in the future

Yes, development is still ongoing. The surveillance platform you saw at CES is actually a part we are exploring, and is still under active development. From what I understand, AIOT is a broad ecosystem that is going to feature ai NAS, ai-based home security cameras, and many more AI-empowered hardware devices for a smarter lifestyle. On the NAS side, we’re also building our own surveillance application for NASync. We plan to launch it within this year. In terms of compatibility, we aim to support both UGREEN cameras and third-party cameras, so users have more flexibility to build their setup. So overall, both sides are moving forward, but they are different products within the UGREEN ecosystem.

In the last year, UGREEN released two ARM RK chip-powered NAS solutions in the DH2300 and DH4300 – How easy/hard was scaling UGOS onto this more modest hardware base, and were there any useful lessons learned that have benefited your NAS development as a whole?

DH series is our entry-level lineup, designed mainly for NAS beginners and users with simpler needs. From a technical perspective, running UGOS on an ARM-based platform is definitely more constrained compared to x86, especially in terms of performance and resource availability. A lot of things can’t just be directly carried over, we need to re-adapt them for the ARM architecture, including the kernel, system services, and many core features. So we had to be more selective and thoughtful about which features to include and how to optimize them. And from a product perspective, it actually helped us become more focused. With the DXP series, we already emphasized user-friendliness, but with the DH series, we really wanted to take that further and make it as simple as possible, essentially positioning it as a user’s first NAS.

So in practice, we streamlined certain features based on the hardware and target users. For example, we simplified or did not include things like virtual machines and some AI capabilities, and instead focused on delivering a smooth and reliable core experience. One key lesson we learned is that not every product needs to do everything. It’s more important to match the right experience to the right user group. And that thinking has also helped us better define our overall NAS product lineup.

I canvased a large group of UGREEN NAS users (many of whom were part of your original Kickstarter campaign) who are still using their NASync systems to this day, and have followed you on your journey so far. I asked them which features or improvements they would like to see in future updates and revisions to UGOS. Are you able to share if these are features that are on the roadmap, or have been explored?

• Full Volume Encryption
• WORM support
• A mixed drive RAID storage system (comparable to Synology Hybrid RAID or Terramaster TRAID)
• A tiered storage system (unlike the copy system of ‘caching’, but a SSD+HDD composite pool that intelligently moves ‘hot’, ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ data to appropriate storage areas)
• ZFS as a file system choice
• A native Plex Media Server Application
• A local client application for Mac/Windows for file pinning, streaming, intelligent 30-day deletion (see Synology Drive, QNAP Qsync, etc)
• A more comprehensive security scanner (eg scanning for unsecure open ports, SSH being open, weak passwords, admin accounts, auto blocks disabled, etc)

 

We’ve actually seen many of these requests from our users as well, these are very valuable suggestions and we’ve already had internal discussions around most of them. But many of these features, like full volume encryption, hybrid RAID, or tiered storage are quite complex, they take time to design, develop and validate, especially we wanted to make them stable and reliable.

So at this stage, we don’t have a specific timeline we can share yet. But these are definitely things we take seriously, and we’ll plan them carefully based on user demand and overall product direction. If we see strong demand from users, we’ll absolutely prioritize them accordingly.

Thank you to the team at UGREEN for their time in this interview. As mentioned, the answers about were provided in their entirety and without prejudice. This will be a video soon that covers this, the tour of the facilities, as well as further discussion around the IDX6011 NAS Kickstarter and how this has been managed.

 

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UGREEN DH4300 PLUS vs UniFi UNAS 4 – Which Should You Buy?

The UniFi UNAS 4 and the UGREEN DH4300 Plus are being compared because they currently occupy a very similar part of the 4-bay NAS market, with both systems targeting buyers who want a relatively affordable turnkey storage solution with 2.5GbE connectivity, modern desktop design, and a lower entry price than many traditional NAS brands. On paper, they are close enough in price to be direct alternatives, but in practice they approach NAS deployment very differently. The UniFi UNAS 4 is built around tight integration with the wider UniFi ecosystem and focuses primarily on straightforward storage, backup, and remote file access, whereas the UGREEN DH4300 Plus is designed as a broader standalone NAS platform with more memory, a more powerful ARM processor, HDMI output, and a wider range of applications and services. That makes this comparison relevant not just because of the hardware and price overlap, but because each system reflects a different idea of what an entry to mid-range 4-bay NAS should be in 2026.

UniFi vs UGREEN NAS – Brand vs Brand

Before I dig into which of the DH4300 or UNAS 4 is best for you, it is worth highlighting again that these are two comparatively new players in the NAS scene (compared with long time multi-decade vetrans such as Synology, QNAP, Asustor and Terramaster), so let’s talk about their priorities and focus at a brand level. Both UGREEN and UniFi have entered the NAS sector from distinct starting points and continue to move in different directions, each targeting a particular type of user. UniFi’s UNAS series delivers consistency, predictable performance, and dependable integration with the broader UniFi ecosystem. Its software is stable, lightweight, and well-suited to users who prioritize straightforward storage management, reliable data handling, and unified control across routers, switches, and surveillance systems. While the hardware is limited to fixed ARM configurations and non-expandable memory, it is efficient, quiet, and designed for continuous operation with minimal maintenance. For organizations already invested in UniFi infrastructure, the UNAS systems provide a logical expansion that keeps management centralized and operational risk low. However, their value depends heavily on ecosystem synergy; outside of that environment, the systems remain competent but relatively inflexible standalone NAS options.

UGREEN’s NASync platform, on the other hand, appeals to users seeking broader performance capability and independence. Its x86-based models, upgradable memory, and open software environment allow it to serve as a hybrid between NAS and compact server, capable of running applications, containers, and virtual machines alongside storage tasks. The design language is more suited to individual or small business use than datacenter deployment, but the hardware range—from ARM to Core i5—covers a far wider performance spectrum than UniFi’s. Software maturity continues to evolve quickly, with new features added frequently, and the systems provide extensive compatibility with third-party clients and backup services. The trade-off is that long-term reliability and enterprise-level security validation are still developing.

Ultimately, UniFi NAS suits users who already rely on UniFi’s networking ecosystem and value simplicity, predictability, and centralized management, while UGREEN NAS caters to those prioritizing flexibility, compute power, and open software capability. Both brands have lowered the entry barrier into reliable NAS ownership, but they embody opposing philosophies: UniFi focuses on integration and control, whereas UGREEN emphasizes capability and independence.

Why Buy UniFi NAS?

Why Buy UGREEN NAS?

Ecosystem Integration: Seamlessly integrates with UniFi Network, Protect, and Access systems, allowing unified management through a single controller interface. Centralized Management: Designed for administrators managing multiple UniFi sites or devices, providing consistent firmware, remote access, and monitoring from one dashboard. Reliable, Efficient Design: ARM-based architecture ensures low power draw, cool operation, and stable long-term performance with minimal maintenance. Enterprise-Grade Networking: Equipped with up to dual 10G SFP+ and 10GBase-T ports, plus USP-RPS redundancy for professional deployments. Proven Security Framework: Benefits from Ubiquiti’s mature network security infrastructure, signed firmware updates, and NDAA-compliant hardware.

Superior Hardware Performance: Offers a full range from ARM to Intel Core i5 CPUs, with upgradable RAM, NVMe storage pools, and optional PCIe expansion. Versatile Software (UGOS Pro): Supports Docker, virtual machines, AI photo indexing, and multi-platform backups out of the box. All-in-One Standalone System: Functions independently without relying on an external ecosystem, ideal for users wanting a complete server in one unit. Advanced Connectivity: Includes 2.5 GbE and 10 GbE networking, USB 4/Thunderbolt 4, and support for direct-attached workflows like video editing or large-file transfer. Rapid Development and Updates: Frequent firmware releases continually add new features, broader hardware support, and improved backup and security options.

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UGREEN DH4300 vs UniFi UNAS 4 – Design and Storage

From a physical design perspective, these 2 NAS systems take very different approaches. The UniFi UNAS 4 has a taller, narrower chassis with a more vertical layout, while the UGREEN DH4300 Plus uses a more cubic desktop design that will look more familiar to buyers coming from Synology, QNAP, or Asustor hardware. The UniFi system is also available in black or white, which gives it a more deliberate visual identity within the wider UniFi product range, whereas the UGREEN keeps to a more conventional single-finish enclosure. In both cases, the chassis material is primarily plastic, so neither is especially premium in material terms, but each is clearly trying to prioritize compactness and low manufacturing cost rather than metal construction.

The drive arrangement is also notably different. The UniFi UNAS 4 places its 4 SATA bays in the base of the chassis, with the drives inserted from underneath, while the UGREEN DH4300 Plus uses a top-loaded vertical bay arrangement hidden under a removable outer shell. Neither system uses a particularly enterprise-focused tray design, and neither is really built around frequent hot-swap use in the same way as more expensive rackmount or prosumer NAS systems. That said, the UniFi trays are easier to describe as straightforward click-in drive carriers, while the UGREEN trays feel more budget-oriented in construction and do not leave the same impression of robustness as more established NAS brands.

In storage flexibility, the UniFi has the more ambitious configuration. Alongside its 4 SATA bays, it also includes 2 dedicated M.2 NVMe slots for SSD cache. That gives it an advantage in hybrid storage architecture, since the hard drives can be used for capacity while the NVMe media handles read and write cache duties. The UGREEN DH4300 Plus does not include M.2 storage slots, so any SSD deployment has to consume one or more of the main SATA bays, which reduces total storage capacity. At the same time, UniFi currently limits those NVMe bays to cache use rather than general storage pools, so the practical advantage is still narrower than the raw hardware layout suggests.

The 2 brands also differ in RAID and storage management philosophy. The UGREEN supports a broader list of RAID modes, including JBOD, Basic, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10, which gives it more deployment flexibility for different user priorities around performance, redundancy, or simple linear storage. The UniFi platform supports RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10, but its overall storage structure is more controlled and less flexible, with a stronger focus on a simplified single storage pool approach. For buyers who want fewer decisions and a cleaner setup process, that may be acceptable, but for users who want more granular control over how storage is arranged, the UGREEN is less restrictive.

In pure storage potential, the UGREEN is also easier to quantify because it officially supports up to 128TB across 4 bays using 32TB drives, whereas UniFi focuses more on supported drive compatibility and cache pairing than on headline raw capacity figures. The UniFi does have the practical advantage of SSD caching built in, which can improve responsiveness in repeated access and write-heavy workloads, but the UGREEN has the simpler storage proposition overall and does not tie part of its internal design to optional accessories such as UniFi’s separate M.2 tray approach. As a result, the UniFi has the more distinctive and technically layered storage design, while the UGREEN has the more conventional and broadly flexible one.

UniFi UNAS4 vs UGREEN DH 4300 – Internal Hardware & Connections

Internally, the UGREEN DH4300 Plus has the stronger hardware specification. It uses an 8-core Rockchip ARM processor based on Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores running at up to 2.0GHz, alongside 8GB of LPDDR4X memory and 32GB of eMMC for the system. By comparison, the UniFi UNAS 4 uses a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor at 1.7GHz with 4GB of memory. Both systems are clearly built around low-power ARM architecture rather than x86 processing, but the UGREEN has the more capable platform on paper and offers more headroom for multitasking, background services, and broader software functionality.

The UniFi system does, however, counter with a more unusual internal layout. In addition to its 4 SATA bays, it includes 2 M.2 NVMe slots dedicated to SSD cache, which gives it a storage acceleration feature that the UGREEN does not match natively. For users dealing with repeated file access, background synchronization, or burst-heavy write activity, that cache support has practical value. The UGREEN relies entirely on its 4 SATA bays for storage media, so although its CPU and memory are stronger, its internal storage architecture is less advanced in terms of tiered storage.

External connectivity is broader on the UGREEN. It includes 1x 2.5GbE LAN port, HDMI output at up to 4K 60Hz, 1x front USB 3.2 Gen 1 port at 5Gb/s, and 2 additional USB-A 5Gb/s ports. The UniFi UNAS 4 is much more limited, offering 1x 2.5GbE RJ45 port and 1x 5Gb/s USB-C port. This narrower I/O profile reflects the fact that UniFi has positioned the UNAS 4 as a focused network storage appliance rather than a multi-role NAS for media output, peripheral attachment, or application expansion. In direct hardware terms, the UGREEN is better equipped for users who expect more than basic file serving.

Power and deployment also separate these 2 systems. The UniFi UNAS 4 supports PoE+++ and includes a 90W PoE adapter, which allows both power and network connectivity over a single cable in supported environments. That is unusual in this part of the NAS market and makes it particularly relevant for users already invested in UniFi switching infrastructure or those deploying hardware in locations where simplified cabling matters. The UGREEN uses a more conventional external power arrangement, which is less distinctive but also less dependent on network infrastructure choices. Therefore, the UGREEN has the stronger internal compute hardware and broader physical connectivity, while the UniFi has the more specialized deployment advantage.

UGREEN DH4300 vs UniFi UNAS 4 – Software & Services

The biggest difference between these 2 NAS systems is not the chassis or the processor, but the software scope. The UniFi UNAS 4 runs UniFi Drive and is clearly built around a narrower storage-first brief, with support for SMB, NFS, snapshots, file encryption, Time Machine, share links, user groups, remote backup, cloud backup targets, and client apps. It covers the main NAS fundamentals expected by home users and small offices, but it does so within a more controlled environment that places simplicity and consistency ahead of feature breadth. The UGREEN DH4300 Plus, running UGOS Pro, aims much wider and includes not only file serving and backup tools, but also multimedia applications, container support, HDMI-based media playback, AI-assisted photo features, and broader service depth overall.

For pure storage management, UniFi Drive is cleaner and more focused, particularly for users who want the NAS to act primarily as private cloud storage, backup target, and centralized file repository. Its interface is built to align with the broader UniFi platform, and that gives it an advantage for users already running UniFi networking equipment and remote management tools. However, that same focus also means the UNAS 4 is less flexible as a general-purpose NAS. The UGREEN platform does not have the same ecosystem tie-in, but it operates more independently and gives the user more scope to use the system for different workloads beyond file storage.

Application support is where the gap becomes more obvious. The UGREEN DH4300 Plus supports Docker and has a noticeably broader service layer for media, backup, and user applications. That creates options for running third-party software, home media tools, and more customized services that simply are not part of the UniFi approach. The UniFi UNAS 4 does not currently try to compete in that area and instead presents itself as a dedicated NAS platform rather than an application host. For some users that will be a limitation, while for others it will be a benefit, because it reduces complexity and keeps the system centered on storage tasks rather than mixed workload experimentation.

In practical terms, the software decision comes down to whether the buyer values depth or focus. The UGREEN DH4300 Plus offers the broader NAS software experience and is better suited to users who want more features, more applications, and more ways to extend the system over time. The UniFi UNAS 4 offers the more controlled and storage-specific platform, with the clearest advantage appearing when it is deployed inside an existing UniFi environment. As a result, the UGREEN software stack is more versatile, while the UniFi software stack is more specialized.

UniFi UNAS 4 vs UGREEN DH4300 NAS – Conclusion & Verdict

Taken as a whole, these 2 systems are aimed at a similar buyer in price terms, but they are not trying to solve the same problem in the same way. The UniFi UNAS 4 is a more specialized NAS that focuses on storage, backup, remote access, and integration within the UniFi ecosystem. The UGREEN DH4300 Plus is a broader standalone NAS that gives the user more hardware resources, more software flexibility, and a wider overall role in the network. That difference matters more than the relatively small gap in price, because in day to day use they will appeal to different priorities. The UniFi UNAS 4 makes more sense for buyers who already use UniFi switches, gateways, and management tools, or for those who specifically want a NAS that stays focused on file storage instead of trying to become a media server or container host. Its built in NVMe cache support and PoE+++ deployment give it some useful differentiators, and its simpler software scope will suit users who want a more controlled experience. However, outside of the UniFi ecosystem, some of its strengths become less important, while its limitations in application support, connectivity, and hardware power become harder to ignore.

The UGREEN DH4300 Plus is the better fit for users who want a more traditional all-round NAS. It has the stronger CPU, more memory, broader external connectivity, more RAID options, HDMI output, Docker support, and a software platform with more room to scale into multimedia, backup variety, and third party services. It is the more capable choice for mixed home and small business use, particularly for buyers who are not tied to any specific network brand and want their NAS to handle more than just centralized storage. It is also the easier system to recommend to users comparing it against other established 4-bay NAS platforms in the same price bracket. So, in direct usage terms, the UniFi UNAS 4 is better for UniFi-centric deployments, cleaner storage-first use, and buyers who value NVMe caching and PoE-based installation. The UGREEN DH4300 Plus is better for users who want stronger hardware, more software features, better connectivity, and a wider long term usage profile. If the question is which is the better pure value NAS for the largest number of users, the UGREEN DH4300 Plus is the stronger overall option. If the question is which fits better into a UniFi-led network and a simpler storage-focused role, the UniFi UNAS 4 is the more appropriate choice.

Buy the UGREEN DH4300 on Amazon @399	Buy the UniFi UNAS 4 on The UniFi Store for $379

 

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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   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.

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CUPS, le système d'impression utilisé par macOS et la plupart des distributions Linux, est touché par deux nouvelles vulnérabilités. Elles ont été trouvées par des agents d'intelligence artificielle, et permettent une exécution de code à distance.

Aucun correctif officiel n'est disponible pour le moment, et les preuves de concept sont déjà publiques. Les environnements professionnels sont les premiers concernés.

Quand l'IA fait le boulot des chercheurs en sécurité

C'est un ingénieur sécurité de SpaceX, Asim Manizada, qui a publié les détails de ces deux failles. Le plus surprenant, c'est qu'il ne les a pas trouvées tout seul. Il a utilisé des agents IA pour analyser le code de CUPS et débusquer les problèmes.

Son travail s'inspire des recherches de Simone Margaritelli, qui avait déjà montré en 2024 comment enchaîner plusieurs failles CUPS pour exécuter du code à distance sur des machines Linux.

Les deux vulnérabilités portent les références CVE-2026-34980 et CVE-2026-34990. Elles touchent CUPS 2.4.16 et peuvent être combinées pour un résultat assez redoutable.

Deux failles qui se complètent

La première faille permet à un attaquant d'envoyer une tâche d'impression sur une file PostScript partagée, sans aucune authentification.

CUPS accepte par défaut les requêtes anonymes sur les files partagées, et un mécanisme d'échappement de caractères permet d'injecter du code qui sera exécuté en tant qu'utilisateur "lp". En pratique, un attaquant peut forcer le serveur à lancer un programme de son choix.

La seconde faille concerne l'authentification du démon cupsd. Un utilisateur local sans privilège peut tromper le service pour qu'il s'authentifie auprès d'un faux serveur IPP contrôlé par l'attaquant.

Le jeton récupéré permet alors d'écraser n'importe quel fichier avec les droits root. Combinées, les deux failles donnent à un attaquant distant et non authentifié la possibilité d' écraser des fichiers système en tant que root.

Pas de patch, mais des correctifs dans les tuyaux

Pour le moment, aucune mise à jour officielle de CUPS n'a été publiée. Michael Sweet, le créateur et mainteneur du projet, a mis en ligne des correctifs sur GitHub, mais il n'y a pas encore de version patchée à télécharger.

Manizada prévient que ces failles seront faciles à reproduire, vu que les preuves de concept sont publiques et que les modèles de langage actuels peuvent transformer un rapport technique en exploit fonctionnel en quelques minutes.

Côté impact, CUPS est le système d'impression par défaut de macOS et de la quasi-totalité des distributions Linux. Pour être vulnérable, il faut que le serveur CUPS soit accessible sur le réseau avec une file d'impression partagée configurée, ce qui est courant dans les environnements professionnels.

C'est quand même un drôle de signal. D'un côté, l'IA montre qu'elle sait trouver des failles de sécurité plus vite que les humains. De l'autre, les mainteneurs open source galèrent toujours autant pour sortir les correctifs à temps. Manizada lui-même le dit : les modèles de langage peuvent convertir un simple rapport technique en code d'attaque prêt à l'emploi.

Du coup, entre la divulgation d'une faille et le premier exploit, on parle de quelques heures, pas de quelques semaines. Si vous gérez des imprimantes en réseau, le plus prudent reste de couper le partage des files CUPS en attendant le patch, ou au moins de restreindre l'accès réseau au service. Pas très pratique, mais c'est le prix à payer quand le système d'impression a vingt ans de code derrière lui.

Source : The Register

UnifyDrive UP6 Mobile NAS Review – And now for something completely different….

The UnifyDrive UP6 is a portable, battery-equipped mobile NAS intended for workflows that sit between direct attached storage and a traditional office NAS, particularly when backing up and moving large photo or video projects offsite. It sells for $1,599 USD and combines a compact chassis with a built-in 6-inch 2160×1080 touchscreen designed to provide basic device control and file access without needing a phone or laptop for every task. In use, the touchscreen is capable of navigation, monitoring backups, and previewing common media files, but it does not replace a full client experience for deeper system management. The UP6 is built around 6x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots with a stated maximum of 48TB all-flash storage, alongside memory expansion up to 96GB DDR5, though it ships with 16GB installed. Connectivity is positioned as a major part of the product, including 2x Thunderbolt 4, a 10GbE port, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and HDMI 2.1 output. UnifyDrive also markets features such as plug-in card backup, a local AP mode for field collaboration without external Wi-Fi, and external GPU support via its high-speed USB-C connections, which places the UP6 closer to a small, portable workstation-class NAS than a basic travel backup device.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Quick Conclusion

The UnifyDrive UP6 is a $1,599 portable mobile NAS that combines a compact 170mm x 147mm x 43mm chassis and 6-inch 2160×1080 touchscreen with workstation-leaning hardware, including an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core), Intel Arc graphics, an 11 TOPS NPU, and support for up to 96GB DDR5 (16GB installed) plus 6x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for up to 48TB, split across 3x PCIe 4.0 x4 and 3x PCIe 4.0 x2 lanes. Its strongest points are connectivity and flexibility: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 10GbE, Wi-Fi 6 AP mode, Bluetooth, HDMI 2.1, SD UHS-II and CFexpress support, plus a plug-in, on-device backup workflow that can run without a laptop and can be verified through local file browsing and preview. The software stack is broad for a mobile NAS, with snapshots, sync and backup tooling, cloud options, encrypted secure space, media apps, AI-assisted photo organization, Docker, iSCSI, and generally strong usability, including some practical touches like built-in LAN testing. The main drawbacks are cost once SSDs and memory are added, missing SSD heat sinks despite Gen4 storage expectations, and a touchscreen interface that is useful for basic control but still falls short of a full client for deeper settings. Security is also an ongoing concern for a device designed to travel, with no standard authenticator-style 2FA and limited session control tools compared with what the platform otherwise suggests. In real testing, battery runtime varies sharply by workload: a 30-minute continuous 10GbE upload dropped the battery 42%, a 10-minute repeated read-write loop used 12%, and lighter interaction implied much longer runtime, while the battery also functions as a configurable UPS buffer. Noise and thermals were generally controlled, with roughly 37 to 38 dBA in auto fan mode under SSD access and 46 to 47 dBA at max, SSD temps briefly around 55 to 60C, and vent and surface readings mostly in the mid-30s to mid-40s C range with third-party heat sinks installed, though the CPU tends to sit around 60C in regular use. Overall, it is best viewed as a specialist tool for creators and teams who will use the mix of portable operation, fast ingest, high bandwidth connections, and feature-rich software, rather than as a value-focused alternative to a conventional desktop NAS.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Design & Storage

The UP6 uses a compact, travel-friendly footprint for the class, measuring 170mm x 147mm x 43mm, with a listed weight of 1300g without the silicone case. In practice it sits somewhere between a thick portable SSD enclosure and a small desktop NAS, and it is designed to be used both on a desk and in a bag. The outer shell is plastic, while the internal structure is metal, which is relevant because the device is built around densely packed NVMe storage and a laptop-class Intel platform. The front-facing 6-inch touchscreen is a key part of the industrial design and is bright enough to remain usable in typical indoor environments, with a phone-like layout for navigation.

Access to storage is through a removable top panel that exposes the internal M.2 and memory area. The UP6 provides 6x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots with a maximum stated capacity of 48TB, but the storage does not come pre-populated, so the final cost depends heavily on the SSDs chosen. UnifyDrive’s layout mixes bandwidth tiers: 3 slots are PCIe 4.0 x4 and 3 slots are PCIe 4.0 x2, which creates a performance hierarchy that matters if the array is built with mixed workloads or if certain volumes are reserved for cache, scratch, or active project storage. This 6-bay NVMe approach is consistent with the device’s mobile positioning since SSDs are less fragile in transit than hard drives and generally tolerate movement better.

One of the main design concerns is thermals around the storage bay area. In early handling, the proximity of the M.2 drives to the plastic top cover stands out, particularly for PCIe 4.0 x4 SSDs that can run hot during sustained writes. The unit does not include M.2 heat sinks in the box, which is unusual at this price and places responsibility on the user to manage temperatures through third-party heat sinks if they plan to run higher power drives. The drive slots are also positioned at differing angles relative to airflow, raising questions about how evenly heat is removed across all installed SSDs during long transfers.

Ventilation is built into multiple sides of the chassis, including a vent path that runs through the main body, and the unit incorporates dust filtration on the intake areas. Over extended use, that ventilation design appears to do meaningful work, but it also means the UP6 relies on active airflow rather than passive dissipation through a metal outer shell. For a device that may be used in the field, this approach makes cleanliness and environment more relevant than with sealed enclosures, especially when operating in dusty locations or in bags where vents can be partially obstructed.

From a storage workflow perspective, UnifyDrive emphasizes quick ingestion and verification, and the physical layout supports that by pairing internal NVMe with front-of-device status visibility. The UP6 includes SD card support and CFexpress support for direct backup operations, and the system is designed to detect media on insertion and trigger a guided backup process on the touchscreen. That structure aligns with the intended use case of returning from a shoot, inserting cards, starting a backup without a laptop, and then confirming the results using on-device file browsing and preview tools before moving on.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Touchscreen Controls

The UP6 includes a 6-inch 2160×1080 touchscreen that functions as a built-in local interface for the system. It is positioned on the front of the chassis and is intended to reduce dependence on a phone or laptop for basic tasks, particularly when the device is used in the field. In use, the panel is notably bright, which helps with visibility during on-site checks and quick interaction, and it provides a phone-like UI layout with app-style navigation.

Functionally, the screen allows log-in access to core controls such as Wi-Fi setup, Ethernet configuration, Bluetooth, access point creation, basic security toggles, backup settings, and system status pages. It also provides a file manager that can browse shared storage, create folders within accessible areas, view file details, and preview certain media types, including playing video files directly on the display and showing image metadata. It can also show active task status, let you monitor backup progress in real time, and offers quick controls like screen brightness and basic power actions.

As a practical tool, the touchscreen is most useful for confirming that a card ingest or USB backup has started correctly, checking that files exist after a transfer, and doing light review without pulling out another device. Its limits show up when deeper administration is needed: the settings exposed on-screen are comparatively shallow, with missing or reduced control for items like detailed fan behavior, richer hardware telemetry, and some power-management preferences. Media preview is also constrained, including no built-in audio output during playback, and the overall interface does not fully replace what the mobile app or desktop browser can do for full management.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Internal Hardware

At the center of the UP6 is an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, a 14-core mobile processor paired with Intel Arc integrated graphics and an onboard NPU rated at 11 TOPS for local AI workloads. This choice places the unit closer to a compact PC platform than a typical low power NAS appliance, which helps explain why UnifyDrive positions it for heavier tasks such as media handling, indexing, and local AI analysis rather than basic file serving alone. In day-to-day use, the platform has enough headroom to keep the interface responsive while running background services, and it also supports more advanced features like virtualization and container workloads through the software stack.

Memory is DDR5 with a maximum supported capacity listed at 96GB, while the base configuration ships with 16GB installed. This matters because several of the UP6’s promoted workloads, including multi-user access, Docker, indexing, and AI-assisted photo organization, benefit directly from additional RAM. In practical terms, the shipped configuration is usable for basic storage, backup, and light services, but it is likely to be a limiting factor if the device is used as a more general-purpose NAS with multiple apps running concurrently or if it is configured to handle larger media libraries with extensive metadata work.

The UP6 also includes 32GB of onboard eMMC used for the operating system and core services, separating the boot volume from the user-installed NVMe pool. That arrangement simplifies initial setup and keeps the system functional even before storage is populated, but it also means the OS layer is tied to the internal eMMC device rather than being mirrored across the NVMe array. For a portable device, that separation can be a practical choice, but it is still a component that cannot be swapped as easily as standard SSD storage.

UnifyDrive also promotes external GPU support, enabled through the high bandwidth USB-C and Thunderbolt connections, with the expectation that a docked setup can accelerate AI tasks or other GPU-assisted workloads. In real use this feature is more relevant to stationary operation than travel, since adding an eGPU enclosure reduces portability, but it does extend the UP6 beyond the typical scope of a mobile backup unit. The result is a platform that can shift between a field device for ingest and a desk-bound system for heavier processing, depending on how it is connected and configured.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Ports & Connections

The UP6 is built around a mix of high-speed wired options and short-range wireless, with the headline being 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports rated at 40Gbps alongside a single 10GbE RJ-45 port. In practice, this gives it two distinct usage patterns: network-based access for multiple users over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and direct host connectivity for a single workstation that wants high bandwidth without going through a switch. In testing and general use, the Thunderbolt link is positioned as a way to treat the unit like a fast direct attached volume when needed, while still keeping its NAS features available for other connected devices.

In addition to Thunderbolt, the UP6 includes standard USB connectivity for attaching peripherals and ingest sources, with the spec listing 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 plus USB-C alongside the Thunderbolt ports. UnifyDrive’s workflow emphasis here is card and device ingestion, where the system detects inserted media and can trigger a guided backup process. The unit also includes HDMI 2.1 output rated for 4K at 60Hz, which is mainly relevant if the UP6 is being used as a stationary box where an external display is preferred over the built-in screen for navigation or review.

For removable media, the UP6 includes an SD slot with UHS-II support and a CFexpress slot that supports Type B, with Type A possible via an adapter. These slots are central to the device’s positioning for on-location photographers and video creators, since they enable direct backup without a laptop as an intermediate step. The spec sheet also lists maximum rates for the card interfaces, including 312 MB/s for SD or TF and up to 10Gb/s for CFexpress, though real-world results depend on the cards used and the backup settings configured.

Wireless support includes dual-antenna Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, and the unit can either join an existing network or create its own local access point for nearby devices. That AP mode is intended for situations where there is no reliable external Wi-Fi, allowing multiple users to connect locally for transfer and collaboration. Power delivery is also flexible: the unit ships with an external PSU for charging and sustained operation, but it can also be powered and charged over USB-C, which makes it possible to run it directly alongside a Thunderbolt laptop setup while keeping the internal battery topped up.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Software and Services

The UP6 runs UnifyDrive’s NAS operating system from internal storage and can be managed through a browser-based interface, a desktop client, and a mobile app. Day-to-day administration is generally handled through the web UI, with a familiar layout of system settings, storage tools, user permissions, and installed applications. The desktop client mirrors much of that structure and is used for some tasks that benefit from local responsiveness, while the mobile app provides a pared-back version of the same environment for monitoring, file access, and basic management when away from a computer.

The application ecosystem is broad by current turnkey NAS standards, with an app center that includes common functions such as snapshots, multi-device backup jobs, synchronization tasks, and cloud integration. File and folder management is presented in a way that targets non-technical users, with share creation, permission adjustment, and storage expansion tools surfaced without requiring command line work. There is also support for encrypted storage through a dedicated secure space feature, which adds an extra password gate for a defined portion of capacity rather than encrypting the entire system volume by default.

For creators, the media stack is a central part of the platform rather than an add-on. Photo management includes AI-driven categorization features that can analyze imported libraries and sort content by faces, scenes, and other detected elements, with the processing intended to run locally on the device rather than sending media to remote AI services. The media interface also supports playback and preview, along with metadata inspection, which fits the intended workflow of checking files after ingest and before moving on to the next job.

Beyond media, the UP6 includes more advanced services than many mobile-focused units. Docker is available, and virtualization support exists through a dedicated VM application, though management depth varies by client. For example, the mobile app can monitor existing containers and VMs, but it does not provide the same creation and configuration controls available through the desktop or browser tools. iSCSI is also present for users who want block-level storage presentation to a workstation or server, which positions the UP6 as more than a simple file share target.

Security features are mixed in their execution. The platform includes firewall-related options, IP blocking rules, ransomware protection settings, and audit-style logs for sign-ins and connected devices. However, local login security is limited by the absence of standard 2-factor authentication methods such as authenticator apps, and session control is less direct than it could be, with limited tools for quickly removing connected clients from within the UI. Remote assistance features are available for support access if enabled, which may be useful for diagnostics but also places importance on how tightly the device is secured and how those permissions are managed.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Noise, Heat, Power and Speed Tests

Battery behavior was evaluated under sustained network activity rather than light standby use. With the battery charged to 100%, the UP6 was connected over 10GbE to a Windows client and subjected to a continuous upload for 30 minutes, during which the battery dropped by 42%. In a separate test using repeated read and write operations, a 256MB AJA-style loop was run for 10 minutes against roughly 400GB of configured storage, and the battery consumption over that interval was 12%. These results suggest the internal battery can sustain meaningful transfer work for shorter periods, while heavier, continuous network activity reduces runtime quickly compared with lighter mixed use.

For more general usage, the device’s on-screen battery reporting provided a rough indication of lower-load runtime. During a recorded stretch of light interaction and file checks, the battery level fell slowly, and the observed rate was approximately 3 to 3.5 minutes per 1% in that specific scenario, implying several hours if the unit is mostly idle and not under sustained transfer pressure. This aligns with the device operating more like a small PC when pushed, and more like a low-intensity appliance when it is primarily waiting, indexing, or serving occasional file requests. The battery also functions as a UPS, with settings available to trigger safe shutdown at a defined remaining percentage and optional timers intended to prevent the unit continuing to run unattended in a bag.

Noise levels were measured with the device accessing SSD storage and using different fan behaviors. In automatic fan mode under active SSD access, the measured sound level was around 37 to 38 dBA. With the fan set to its highest level during similar activity, the noise level increased to around 46 to 47 dBA. The practical takeaway is that the UP6 does not remain silent under load, but it also does not default to maximum fan speed unless instructed or unless conditions demand it. Direct manual fan control is not consistently exposed on the touchscreen interface, but fan mode changes and broader hardware settings are available through the software environment.

Thermal behavior was tracked both during heavier access and after extended powered operation. The NAS software reported SSD temperatures that generally stayed below the mid-60s Celsius, with a brief peak in the 55 to 60C range during heavier testing. After roughly 13 days of being left on and used daily in shorter sessions, external surface readings stayed in a mid-30s Celsius range across much of the casing, while the vented airflow path showed higher readings, roughly from the high-30s into the mid-40s Celsius depending on location. The device did not ship with SSD heat sinks, so third-party heat sinks were installed for testing, and that choice is likely to influence results, particularly with higher power PCIe 4.0 SSDs.

Power draw was measured on mains power with the battery held at 100% to avoid charging behavior affecting the readings. With SSDs idle, low CPU activity, and fans running at a moderate level, power consumption sat at around 21W. With the CPU still low but the fans set higher, draw increased to around 25 to 27W. Under active SSD access and higher CPU activity, power draw moved into the low-to-high 30W range based on the recorded observations, while the CPU itself tended to sit around 60C during regular use. These figures provide a practical baseline for planning portable use, since sustained high-speed transfers and heavier CPU workloads will directly affect both heat and runtime.

UnifyDrive UP6 Review – Conclusion & Verdict

The UP6 is a mobile NAS that leans heavily into workstation-class components and connectivity, and that choice shapes both its strengths and its compromises. It combines 6x NVMe capacity potential with a 10GbE port, dual Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6, and a built-in touchscreen that supports basic local operation without immediately reaching for a separate device. The platform is capable enough to run a broad set of NAS services and applications, including media organization features that take advantage of local processing, while also supporting more advanced options such as Docker and iSCSI. As a physical product it is compact for what it offers and is packaged with accessories that reflect its intended travel and on-location role, but it also expects the buyer to supply key performance-related components like SSDs and, in practical terms, heat sinks.

In measured use, the battery behaves more like a short-duration power buffer for real work than a long-runtime field station under constant load, with runtime varying sharply depending on whether the unit is idling, serving light access, or sustaining heavy transfer activity. Noise and thermals are generally controlled for a device built around PCIe 4.0 storage and a mobile Intel CPU, but results depend on environment and storage choices, and the CPU tends to run warm during normal operation. The software offering is feature-rich and broadly competitive with modern turnkey NAS platforms, yet security expectations for a portable device are not fully met, particularly around 2-factor authentication and some aspects of session control. At $1,599 USD before storage upgrades, the UP6 is best evaluated as a specialist tool for creators and teams who will use its mix of direct connectivity, rapid ingest, and portable operation, rather than as a cost-efficient alternative to a conventional desktop NAS.

PROs of the UnifyDrive UP6

CONs of the UnifyDrive UP6

6x M.2 NVMe bays with up to 48TB capacity, including 3x PCIe 4.0 x4 slots for higher-bandwidth storage Intel Core Ultra 5 125H platform with 14 cores, Intel Arc iGPU, and 11 TOPS NPU for local AI and heavier NAS workloads Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports plus 10GbE for high-speed direct-attached and network-based workflows Built-in 6-inch 2160×1080 touchscreen enables basic setup, backup control, and file browsing without needing a separate device Strong software feature set for the category: snapshots, backup and sync tools, cloud options, encrypted secure space, media apps, Docker, and iSCSI Practical on-location ingest options with SD UHS-II and CFexpress support and a guided plug-in backup workflow Battery-backed operation that also functions as a UPS with configurable shutdown behavior Noise and thermals remained controlled in testing with appropriate SSD cooling, despite PCIe 4.0 storage and a mobile Intel CPU

High entry price, with storage and memory upgrades adding significant extra cost No SSD heat sinks included, despite the expectation of higher temperatures with PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives Security expectations for a portable device are not fully met, particularly the lack of standard authenticator-style 2FA and limited session control tools

 

 

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How Good is the Terramaster TOS 6 NAS Software?

TerraMaster’s TOS 6 represents the company’s most comprehensive evolution of its NAS operating system, delivering an interface and architecture that is redesigned both visually and structurally. Replacing the earlier TOS 5, it builds on user feedback from the last three hardware generations and now arrives preinstalled on systems such as the F4-425 Plus, F2-425, and F6-424, as well as the all-flash F8 SSD Plus. The system adopts the Linux Kernel 6.1 LTS, which improves memory handling, file system performance, and hardware compatibility across newer Intel and AMD processors. With over forty new functions and more than three hundred individual refinements, TOS 6 is positioned as a more capable and robust platform for modern data storage and multi-user environments. TerraMaster’s objective with this version is to combine an accessible setup process with enterprise-style administration tools, allowing users to deploy features such as ACL permissions, SMB multichannel, Hyper-Lock WORM protection, and advanced RAID management within a simplified interface. Although still developing its ecosystem when compared with long-established NAS vendors, TOS 6 signals a step toward bridging the gap between budget and professional-grade systems.

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Terramaster TOS 6 – Design, GUI and UX

TOS 6 introduces a significantly redesigned interface that emphasizes simplicity and consistency while retaining the technical depth expected from a NAS management platform. The desktop layout has been decluttered, removing excess icons in favor of a single navigation bar that centralizes access to applications, settings, and the new “Start” shortcut menu. This layout, combined with subtle animation effects and theme customization options such as Night Mode and accent color selection, is intended to make the environment less visually overwhelming than previous releases. While the interface feels smoother and more responsive, some users may still find it utilitarian compared to the polished design language of DSM or QTS. Nevertheless, the decision to reduce visual clutter and allow personalized dashboards marks a meaningful progression toward a more user-centric control experience.

The control panel, which is the backbone of the system’s configuration layer, has undergone extensive structural improvement. It now allows users to jump between related settings without closing the current menu, effectively halving the time required to perform complex administrative tasks. The inclusion of a keyword search bar further simplifies access to hundreds of configuration options ranging from network tuning to caching policies. Real-time monitoring panels, including the resource manager and storage manager, remain integrated into the main interface, but TOS 6 refines them with more accurate live updates and adjustable widgets.

This customization extends to the new system dashboard, where users can drag and rearrange data modules to match their monitoring preferences. Despite these improvements, the GUI still presents a text-heavy design, particularly in areas dealing with drive management, which could be challenging for newcomers.

The user experience, while substantially enhanced, continues to cater more toward technically proficient users than beginners. Nearly every system element is accessible from the web interface, with contextual right-click menus providing file and folder actions similar to desktop OS environments. This native browser-based functionality eliminates the need for third-party explorers for most operations and allows complete administrative control without client software. However, the interface’s dense arrangement of settings can still appear intimidating for users expecting guided wizards or visualized workflows.

TerraMaster’s focus on efficiency and configurability, rather than aesthetic guidance, reflects a deliberate design choice favoring control and transparency. For experienced users, this approach offers depth and predictability, but it remains less forgiving to casual or first-time NAS owners.

Terramaster TOS 6 – Storage Services and File Services

Storage management within TOS 6 has evolved into a far more granular and flexible system. The platform supports both traditional RAID configurations and TerraMaster’s adaptive TRAID and TRAID+ systems, which allow mixed-capacity drives to be combined while retaining redundancy across one or two disks. This feature makes expansion and migration easier, particularly for users gradually upgrading storage capacity. RAID rebuilding efficiency has also improved through “fast repair,” a mechanism that prioritizes only data-occupied sectors rather than empty disk space, substantially reducing recovery times after drive replacement. The system now separates the operating system from storage volumes entirely, allowing users to install the OS on one or two designated drives, typically SSDs, to improve response speed and cache access performance. This separation not only increases system responsiveness but also helps to protect data pools from corruption caused by OS-level failures.

The volume creation process is more flexible than in previous iterations, supporting both Btrfs and EXT4 file systems alongside iSCSI targets for raw block-level storage. Btrfs, in particular, benefits from the Linux 6.1 kernel’s improved memory handling and snapshot reliability. The inclusion of Hyper-Lock WORM (Write Once, Read Many) in both Compliance and Enterprise modes offers organizations the ability to lock data for specific periods or indefinitely, preventing modification or deletion to meet audit or regulatory requirements.

Volume-level encryption can be enabled during creation, giving administrators the option to protect sensitive data without affecting system-level performance. The management interface also displays real-time disk health data and S.M.A.R.T. metrics, alerting users to failing drives through the Message Center and email notifications, minimizing downtime and data loss risks.

TOS 6’s file service layer emphasizes both accessibility and speed. SMB multichannel support, combined with link aggregation, allows the operating system to utilize multiple Ethernet ports simultaneously to multiply throughput on supported models, improving large file transfer rates in multi-user environments. Shared folder management includes advanced ACL permissions, extending beyond traditional read/write rules to thirteen distinct access types, providing fine-grained control for business use.

Native support for protocols such as SMB, AFP, NFS, FTP, and WebDAV ensures compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux systems, while local mounting enables users to attach external drives or even cloud-mapped directories that synchronize automatically. File management within the web interface now features a tab-based navigation system, a first among NAS platforms, enabling quick copy and move operations without opening multiple windows, reinforcing TerraMaster’s focus on operational efficiency.

Terramaster TOS 6 – Backups and Synchronisation

Backup management in TOS 6 consolidates all related tools into a single unified interface accessible from the desktop or the control panel. This centralized hub simplifies navigation between local, remote, and cloud-based backup options while maintaining compatibility with third-party systems. The platform supports Rsync for cross-NAS synchronization, Time Machine for macOS clients, and TerraMaster’s own Centralized Backup utility for deploying and scheduling protection across multiple TNAS and remote servers. Administrators can configure recurring snapshot tasks on individual volumes or shared folders, define retention policies, and even lock snapshots to prevent deletion within a specified period. While these snapshots are not substitutes for full backups, they provide a lightweight recovery mechanism that minimizes data loss in cases of user error or ransomware infection.

Local backup utilities have been expanded to support directory-level duplication, USB external drives, and iSCSI targets. This enables administrators to replicate data within the same device, between drives, or toward another NAS through the internal network. Although backing up within a single system cannot substitute true redundancy, it offers additional flexibility for temporary mirroring or fast internal restores. For users operating hybrid environments, TOS 6 integrates with major cloud providers using its CloudSync feature, which allows continuous bidirectional synchronization between TNAS and services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and WebDAV storage. Mounted cloud directories appear as native local folders, simplifying file interaction and ensuring that any modifications are reflected remotely. The mounting mechanism also allows automatic synchronization of remote data without external applications, further streamlining multi-location workflows.

In terms of automation and security, backup tasks in TOS 6 can be scheduled to run incrementally or in real time, minimizing bandwidth usage and system load. Each task includes verification and logging, with the ability to send alerts on failure through the Message Center or by email. The inclusion of Hyper-Lock WORM at the backup level ensures archived backups cannot be altered for a defined compliance period, an important feature for business environments managing regulated data. Despite the lack of the same polish found in Synology’s Active Backup or QNAP’s Hybrid Backup Sync, TerraMaster’s solution achieves a comparable range of features for small-scale and mid-tier operations. The combination of flexible snapshot scheduling, cloud integration, and data-integrity verification makes TOS 6 a notable step forward from earlier releases and closes much of the functionality gap that existed between TerraMaster and its larger competitors.

Terramaster TOS 6 – Applications, Client Tools and Services

The application ecosystem in TOS 6 has expanded both in variety and integration depth, blending TerraMaster’s own utilities with third-party and open-source solutions. The App Center serves as the central hub for installing, updating, and managing applications, ranging from productivity tools and cloud clients to virtualization and multimedia services. Many of these applications are developed in-house, such as the Centralized Backup, File Manager, and Photo Gallery utilities, while others leverage established third-party frameworks like VirtualBox for virtualization and Portainer for container management. Users can deploy Docker containers directly from the interface or access the full registry for advanced workloads, making it possible to host additional media servers, AI indexing tools, or web applications. Although the ecosystem remains smaller than Synology’s Package Center or QNAP’s App Center, the available selection covers nearly all core NAS functions that general users and small business environments would require.

Client connectivity is also a strong component of the system’s service design. The TerraMaster desktop client for Windows and macOS allows users to discover NAS systems on the network, manage synchronized folders, and create automated transfer tasks. This complements the browser-based interface by offering a faster method for initiating replication jobs or file transfers between devices. Mobile applications are available for remote access, providing basic file management and media browsing functionality, though they remain limited compared to the desktop experience. One notable improvement in TOS 6 is the ability to download client tools directly from within the App Center rather than navigating to external links, streamlining deployment and maintaining version consistency across environments.#

In the area of multimedia and AI-driven services, TerraMaster has continued to refine its photo and video indexing utilities. The AI Photo Recognition tool, embedded within the Photo Gallery application, performs facial and object detection to organize content by identity or category. It uses metadata and machine learning libraries to recognize patterns across uploaded images, enabling faster search and auto-tagging capabilities. Video and photo thumbnails can be displayed directly within File Manager, which now supports large or small thumbnail scaling depending on user preference. For users requiring broader streaming capabilities, the system includes native support for Plex and Jellyfin through the App Center, allowing local or remote playback using widely adopted external platforms rather than proprietary ones. HDMI output remains inactive on TerraMaster NAS units, so these integrations rely solely on network streaming protocols.

System maintenance and troubleshooting services have also received attention in TOS 6. The platform’s security advisor can perform automated vulnerability checks, flagging weak passwords, exposed ports, or outdated configurations. Isolation Mode remains one of its more practical safety features, instantly disconnecting all non-administrative users and disabling PHP-based third-party apps to prevent intrusion. When users encounter system errors, they can utilize the integrated issue reporting tool, which generates diagnostic logs and can enable temporary remote support for TerraMaster engineers through an authentication key.

Although this feature should be used sparingly, it represents a more direct support pathway than previous versions. Taken together, these improvements show a gradual shift in TOS 6 toward professionalization, improving reliability and ease of management while still allowing extensive customization for experienced administrators.

Conclusion and Verdict

TOS 6 demonstrates that TerraMaster’s NAS platform has matured into a far more capable and structured ecosystem. The software now integrates a wide range of features that were once missing or underdeveloped, from advanced storage management and ACL permissions to cloud synchronization and AI-driven media tools. The interface redesign brings a measurable improvement in usability, and the decision to rebuild the system on the Linux Kernel 6.1 LTS ensures better hardware compatibility and long-term stability. However, it remains evident that the user experience still leans toward a more technical audience, with complex menus and limited guidance compared to the automated workflows found on Synology DSM or QNAP QTS. The system performs reliably, but its presentation and documentation could still benefit from refinement to fully appeal to non-specialist users.

Overall, TOS 6 is TerraMaster’s most complete and confident release to date, delivering a noticeable leap in speed, data protection, and operational consistency across the company’s NAS lineup. It now offers enough depth for small businesses, IT enthusiasts, and hybrid work setups while remaining open to third-party operating systems for those seeking additional flexibility. The platform still trails behind the larger ecosystems in app diversity and cloud integration polish, yet the progress made in this generation positions TerraMaster as one of the more serious alternatives in the mid-range NAS market. For users who value functionality and system control over visual refinement, TOS 6 provides a stable and expandable foundation that indicates TerraMaster is steadily closing the gap with its more established competitors.

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