Minisforum Reveal the MS-R1 PCIe Gen4 ARM Mini PC

At Computex 2025 in Taipei, Minisforum introduced the MS-R1 — a new class of mini PC that marks a distinct departure from its usual reliance on x86 architecture. This compact system is built around the ARM-based CIX P1 processor, an emerging 12-core chip aimed at redefining performance standards for ARM in desktop computing. The MS-R1 combines this processor with dual 10GbE networking, PCIe Gen 4 expansion, and up to 64GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory — all within a chassis under 5 cm thick. Unlike traditional Minisforum models that have leaned on AMD Ryzen or Intel Core platforms, this system positions itself as a versatile option for edge computing, AI acceleration, and lightweight server tasks.

The MS-R1 is clearly still in development, but its early prototype already suggests Minisforum is exploring wider horizons beyond conventional desktop replacement PCs. It leverages many of the strengths typically associated with ARM — such as power efficiency and thermally lightweight design — while mitigating common limitations through generous I/O and expansion capabilities. Whether this signals a broader shift in the company’s product direction remains to be seen, but the MS-R1 offers an intriguing glimpse into how ARM-based platforms might coexist with, or even challenge, traditional x86 solutions in the years ahead.

Minisforum MS-R1 PC Hardware Specifications

The Minisforum MS-R1 is equipped with the newly announced CIX P1 (CP8180) processor, a 12-core, 12-thread ARM-based SoC built on the ARMv9.2-A architecture. Manufactured using a 6nm process, the CPU combines eight performance cores and four efficiency cores, operating at up to 2.6 GHz. It is complemented by a 10-core Arm Immortalis GPU, likely the G720 series, which supports advanced graphical output and light AI rendering. Additionally, the chip includes a 30 TOPS-capable neural processing unit (NPU), bringing the total onboard AI compute power to 45 TOPS. This SoC runs Linux systems with kernel 6.6 or later and offers a UEFI-compatible BIOS with ACPI support — a rare but increasingly essential feature for ARM-based systems targeting general desktop or server use.

Where the MS-R1 notably differentiates itself is in its high-speed I/O and expandability. Dual 10GbE copper LAN ports deliver enterprise-grade networking capability, especially valuable for file servers, edge compute nodes, or hybrid NAS use cases. A full-length PCIe x16 slot (operating at PCIe 4.0 x8 bandwidth) offers GPU or accelerator card support, effectively bridging the gap between ARM architecture and discrete compute expansion — something still rare in this space. USB connectivity is ample: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-A on the rear, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Type-A on the front, and four USB 2.0 ports split across the front and rear. Audio is handled via HDMI, the DisplayPort-enabled Type-C ports, and a 3.5mm combo jack. Power is supplied via a 19V barrel-type DC-IN jack rated at 9.47A, and the device is controlled by a front-facing LED-lit power button. Despite its compact 195.6 × 189 × 48mm footprint, the MS-R1 integrates a surprising breadth of features for ARM-based edge computing in a mini PC form factor.

Why the Minsforum MS-R1 is a Big Deal?

The MS-R1 stands out primarily because it brings ARM architecture into a domain traditionally dominated by x86 processors — compact desktop systems with high-speed networking, PCIe expansion, and broad OS compatibility. ARM chips have long been associated with mobile, embedded, and power-efficient use cases, but they have rarely offered the kind of performance, I/O, and system flexibility seen in x86-based mini PCs. With the CIX P1 SoC, the MS-R1 challenges that assumption. It pairs a 12-core CPU (based on the ARMv9.2-A standard) with a 10-core GPU and an NPU capable of 30 TOPS, totaling 45 TOPS of AI compute. This puts it within reach of edge AI tasks, containerized application hosting, or lightweight virtualization. It’s also rare to see an ARM system with UEFI BIOS support, which enables compatibility with a wide range of Linux distributions and other OS environments — removing a common barrier for general users or developers.

Another reason the MS-R1 matters is its hardware-level ambition. While many ARM-based devices are limited in I/O and expansion, this system includes two 10GbE ports and a PCIe Gen 4 x8 slot — enabling add-in graphics cards or accelerators, typically absent in ARM ecosystems. Combined with onboard LPDDR5 RAM and NVMe Gen 4 storage, the MS-R1 begins to resemble a standard workstation or edge server in capability. Minisforum’s decision to use the CIX P1 processor, which is likely based on licensable Arm Cortex designs and built for a Chinese market increasingly focused on domestic alternatives, reflects both a strategic and technical shift. It also comes at a time when ARM is being seriously considered for broader computing roles, particularly in energy-efficient high-performance setups. The MS-R1 doesn’t just experiment with ARM—it places it in a form factor, price tier, and feature set that could realistically serve prosumers, developers, and small enterprise users.

When will the Minisforum MS-R1 Be Released and Price?

The Minisforum MS-R1 is not just another compact system — it’s a deliberate move into new territory for the brand. By integrating an ARMv9 SoC with high-speed networking, PCIe expansion, and a mature BIOS environment, the MS-R1 challenges preconceptions about what ARM-based mini PCs can deliver. While still in early development, it already positions itself as a potential edge server, AI inference node, or Linux-based workstation. Its soldered LPDDR5 memory, limited to 64GB, and single NVMe slot may limit flexibility in some use cases, but the inclusion of dual 10GbE and PCIe Gen 4 support compensate with substantial throughput potential. It is not yet clear how the market will respond to such a hybrid product — one that crosses lines between embedded computing and traditional desktops — but it’s an important experiment in bringing ARM computing to mainstream deployment environments.

Minisforum’s broader product roadmap at Computex 2025 suggests that the MS-R1 is just one piece of a larger diversification strategy. Alongside it, the company showcased the upcoming N5 Pro — a Ryzen 9-based NAS/PC hybrid with ECC memory support — and the G1 Pro, a small form factor system housing up to RTX 5060-class graphics and 120W CPUs. These products collectively show the company’s intent to cover multiple tiers of performance and deployment, from ARM-powered edge systems to x86-based content creation rigs.

Whether or not the MS-R1 reaches widespread adoption, it represents a notable shift toward ARM’s growing viability outside mobile and embedded contexts. It’s a signal that the boundary between ARM and x86 in high-performance personal computing may continue to blur in the years ahead.

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QNAP Tech Summit 2025 – All New Hardware and Software Solutions Unveiled

During Computex 2025 in Taipei, QNAP hosted its annual Tech Summit to unveil a broad array of new hardware and software solutions aimed at addressing evolving demands across creative, enterprise, and edge environments. The event marked a continued shift in QNAP’s product direction—placing greater focus on hybrid cloud integration, high-speed connectivity, and on-premises AI deployment. With an emphasis on real-time collaboration, secure multi-site operations, and scalable infrastructure, the brand introduced several next-generation NAS systems, networking components, and AI-ready platforms.

Among the standout themes were high-availability architecture with modular redundancy, scale-out storage clusters for petabyte-class expansion, Thunderbolt 5 and USB4-enabled creative workflows, and new AI capabilities integrated directly within NAS environments. Surveillance, backup automation, and cloud services also featured prominently in QNAP’s roadmap for 2025. This article provides a structured breakdown of each individual hardware product and software solution announced or demonstrated during the summit, using verified details from the live showcase and official press releases.

TVS-AIh1688ATX – Thunderbolt, AI Workloads, and Hybrid SSD/HDD Architecture

The TVS-AIh1688ATX is QNAP’s latest high-performance desktop NAS solution designed for creative professionals, AI developers, and hybrid storage environments. Powered by Intel’s 15th-generation Core Ultra processors, this system offers up to 24 cores with an integrated 13 TOPS NPU, making it one of the most compute-capable QNAP NAS systems available to date. Designed for high-throughput workloads such as video editing, AI model inference, and multi-user virtualization, the unit blends storage flexibility with modern I/O and connectivity. The TVS-AIh1688ATX features 12 x 3.5-inch SATA HDD bays and 4 x 2.5-inch U.2 NVMe SSD bays, providing tiered storage suitable for media caching, fast data ingestion, and archival. Although the M.2 slot configuration has not been officially confirmed, the design suggests focus has been placed on high-speed U.2 storage instead. Memory is expandable up to 192GB DDR5 ECC, supporting both VM-intensive and AI-enhanced environments.

On the connectivity side, the system offers dual Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) ports built-in, with optional expansion for Thunderbolt 5 using the QXP-T52P PCIe upgrade card, which utilizes Intel’s JHL9580 controller. It includes 2 x 10GBASE-T Ethernet ports and supports 25GbE/100GbE expansion via available PCIe Gen 4 x4 slots. This makes it viable for multi-user 4K/8K content workflows, fast data offloads, and scalable network integration.

This NAS runs either QTS (EXT4) or QuTS hero (ZFS), depending on user preference, with support for ZFS features like inline compression, deduplication, and near-limitless snapshots. It is also fully compatible with FileTiers, Qsirch with AI-enhanced RAG search, myQNAPcloud One, and VM Station with GPU pass-through for AI workloads. These attributes enable it to serve both as a media production hub and localized AI platform.

TS-h1077AFU – 1U All-Flash Rackmount NAS with Ryzen 7 and PCIe Gen 4

The QNAP TS-h1077AFU is a 1U rackmount NAS designed for high-performance, latency-sensitive workloads requiring SSD-only configurations. It is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7745/7700 processor, offering up to 8 cores and a maximum boost clock of 5.3GHz. This CPU choice allows for substantial multi-threaded throughput, making the unit suitable for containerized environments, virtualization, and enterprise-grade data services. The system features 10 x 2.5-inch SATA SSD bays, optimized for full flash arrays (AFA), which support consistently high IOPS and bandwidth for applications like VDI, database hosting, or video post-production. For expansion, it includes 2 x PCIe Gen 4 x8 slots, enabling the addition of 25GbE NICs, SAS expansion cards, or even GPU accelerators depending on thermal and power constraints.

Networking is built-in with 2 x 10GBASE-T and 2 x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, providing flexible connectivity options for core and edge deployments. With DDR5 ECC memory support, the TS-h1077AFU can be expanded up to 192GB, ensuring system reliability in mission-critical operations. This system runs on QuTS hero, leveraging the ZFS file system with support for deduplication, compression, inline snapshots, and real-time synchronization. It integrates easily into hybrid storage environments through FileTiers, Hybrid Backup Center, and QuTScloud support.

TS-h1655XeU-RP – Short-Depth 3U Rackmount NAS with Hybrid SSD Support

The QNAP TS-h1655XeU-RP is a 3U short-depth rackmount NAS designed for environments requiring high-density storage in shallow enclosures, such as edge data centers or space-constrained AV deployments. It combines large-capacity HDD storage with high-speed SSD caching capabilities, making it suitable for virtualized infrastructure, surveillance archiving, or tiered storage environments. The system is powered by an Intel Atom C5125, an 8-core processor operating at 2.8GHz, which balances efficiency with adequate performance for file services, surveillance management, and backup workloads. It supports ECC RAM and offers two DDR4 SODIMM slots, with expansion support for up to 64GB depending on configuration.

The chassis includes 12 x 3.5-inch SATA drive bays, supporting high-capacity HDDs, and 4 x E1.S or M.2 2280 PCIe SSD slots, ideal for deploying SSD caches or high-IOPS VM storage volumes. This hybrid layout enables intelligent data placement and supports FileTiers for tiered storage strategies.

Networking consists of 1 x 10GBASE-T and 2 x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, with optional PCIe 3.0 expansion via 2 available slots for additional NICs or storage interface cards. This unit runs QuTS hero, leveraging ZFS features such as inline deduplication, compression, SnapSync, and nearly unlimited snapshots. With its short-depth 12-inch chassis and redundant PSU (RP) support, the TS-h1655XeU-RP is targeted at deployments where rack depth, service uptime, and flexible media configurations are primary considerations.

Hybrid Backup Center and myQNAPcloud One – Unified Backup, Immutability, and Multi-Site Control

QNAP used the Tech Summit 2025 to unveil an upgraded version of its data protection ecosystem, anchored by the new Hybrid Backup Center and the expanding capabilities of myQNAPcloud One. Together, these tools aim to provide a unified, policy-driven backup infrastructure for NAS-to-NAS, NAS-to-cloud, and multi-site environments.

The Hybrid Backup Center builds upon the earlier HBS3 platform, providing a centralized dashboard for managing backup tasks across all connected devices. It includes a real-time topology view, allowing administrators to visualize active jobs, destination targets, and data flow between NAS units and cloud services. The system supports local snapshots, remote replication, and cloud synchronization, all of which can be monitored and managed from a single interface.

One of the most significant upgrades is support for immutable backups, which can be enforced on both local NAS volumes and cloud targets. This ensures that backup data cannot be modified or deleted for a user-defined retention period, protecting against ransomware, accidental deletion, or tampering. Integration with QuLog Center also enables alerting and auditing, helping IT administrators track backup success/failure and user interaction with backup sets.

myQNAPcloud One, originally introduced in earlier product cycles, now operates as a full-featured object and file storage platform. It’s available under a subscription model with transparent pricing tiers that avoid bandwidth or API call surcharges. Designed for enterprise users, it supports tiered archiving from FileTiers, cloud snapshots, and off-site replication of backup tasks. When paired with QTS or QuTS hero NAS systems, it enables hybrid backup strategies with automatic data tiering between local SSD, HDD, and cloud storage.

These platforms are also tightly integrated with AMIZcloud, QNAP’s centralized fleet and lifecycle management portal, which provides global monitoring, health checks, and backup verification reports across large deployments.

QBoat Industrial NAS – Fanless M.2-Based System for Harsh Environments

The QNAP QET Industrial NAS is a rugged, compact network-attached storage solution designed specifically for deployment in industrial and factory environments, where environmental conditions may exceed the tolerance of traditional IT hardware. Engineered for wide temperature operation, the unit is rated for -40°C to +70°C, making it suitable for remote monitoring stations, production lines, and embedded data logging systems.

The system is built in a fanless chassis with enhanced thermal design, allowing passive cooling even under load. Internally, it supports 3 x M.2 NVMe SSDs, delivering full solid-state storage performance without the moving parts or vibration concerns associated with HDDs. These M.2 drives are ideal for applications requiring high-speed writes and reliability, such as sensor data capture or control system logging.

Connectivity is handled via 2 x Gigabit Ethernet ports, which are sufficient for industrial deployment scenarios where redundancy or dual-network operations are required. The device is powered via a robust industrial-grade power input, supporting wider voltage ranges and enhanced electrical protection.

The QET Industrial NAS is managed using QTS or QuTS hero, depending on the specific configuration, and supports standard QNAP services such as Hybrid Backup, QVR surveillance integration, and remote management via AMIZcloud. It provides a low-maintenance solution with on-prem AI inference support, allowing local deployment of lightweight AI models using hardware such as Google Coral TPUs or M.2 AI accelerators.

QET Industrial NAS – Specifications

QAI-H1290FX – Edge AI NAS with RTX GPU Acceleration and On-Prem RAG Search

The QNAP QAI-H1290FX is a purpose-built edge AI storage server designed to enable on-premises deployment of large language models (LLMs) and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) workflows without relying on cloud infrastructure. Positioned as an appliance for enterprises seeking data privacy, lower latency, and full control over their AI infrastructure, the QAI-H1290FX includes pre-installed GPU hardware and integrated AI software capabilities.

Internally, the unit can be configured with either two NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada GPUs or a single RTX 6000 Ada, providing the CUDA cores and VRAM necessary to host and serve advanced AI models such as DeepSeek, Qwen, Mistral, and LLaMA. These models are deployed using either Virtualization Station or Container Station, and are tightly integrated with QNAP’s AI-enhanced Qsirch engine. The device supports RAG-based natural language search, allowing users to query locally stored documents using plain language and receive contextual, reference-backed answers.

The system includes standard QNAP management utilities as well as GPU monitoring, model download management, and resource orchestration tools accessible via a centralized interface. For businesses with compliance obligations or sensitive data workloads, this appliance offers a CapEx-friendly AI solution that avoids data residency concerns and ongoing cloud inference costs.

The QAI-H1290FX also supports FileTiers, QuTS hero for ZFS storage management, and can offload archived or low-priority data to myQNAPcloud One or external NAS systems, maintaining high-speed access to AI-critical datasets on SSD or NVMe storage pools.

QNAP SSD 700 Series – Enterprise E1.S NVMe SSDs for NAS and Flash Expansion

The QNAP SSD 700 Series introduces enterprise-grade E1.S NVMe SSDs aimed at delivering consistent performance, endurance, and reliability for QNAP NAS and expansion enclosures, particularly those supporting U.2, E1.S, or hybrid SSD configurations. These drives are designed for deployment in all-flash NAS environments, as well as tiered storage setups requiring high IOPS for AI, virtualization, or database workloads.

Built on PCIe Gen 4 x4 architecture, the SSD 700 drives deliver random read performance up to 900K IOPS, with write performance up to 60K IOPS. These metrics are tuned for mixed-use environments with a DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day) rating of 1, balancing endurance and cost-effectiveness for sustained 24/7 operations.

Drives are available in 1.92TB and 3.84TB capacities, with a 9.5mm E1.S form factor, making them compatible with newer QNAP NAS platforms such as the TS-h1655XeU-RP and TS-h974TX. They include Power Loss Protection (PLP) to protect in-flight data during unexpected shutdowns, and support TCG Opal 2.0 for hardware-level encryption and secure data sanitization.

These drives are warrantied for 5 years, aligning with typical enterprise storage lifecycles, and are designed to operate reliably under sustained load and elevated ambient temperatures often found in densely populated NAS enclosures.

QXP-T52P – Dual-Port Thunderbolt 5 Expansion Card for High-Speed NAS Connectivity

The QXP-T52P is QNAP’s new Thunderbolt 5 expansion card, designed to bring next-generation 80Gbps connectivity to compatible QNAP NAS systems with available PCIe Gen 4 x4 slots. This card allows NAS units to directly interface with high-bandwidth creative workflows, fast data ingest setups, or multi-user collaborative environments that rely on low-latency throughput.

The card is built around the Intel JHL9580 Thunderbolt 5 controller, and provides 2 x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports, each capable of handling up to 80Gbps bi-directional bandwidth. It is backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 hosts or accessories, ensuring broad interoperability with editing suites, external RAID enclosures, and high-speed JBODs.

Installation is supported in QNAP NAS units equipped with PCIe Gen 4 support and appropriate cooling and power headroom. Once installed, the card enables DAS-style access to the NAS at ultra-high speeds, which is particularly beneficial for large file editing (4K/8K video), VFX production, and real-time content review.

The QXP-T52P is intended to complement QNAP systems such as the TVS-AIh1688ATX, which includes native Thunderbolt 4 ports but can expand further using this card, creating up to four Thunderbolt connections for simultaneous editing stations.

QVR Surveillance and TVR-AI200 – Unified VMS and Edge AI for Security Deployment

In the surveillance segment of the Tech Summit 2025, QNAP presented an expanded role for its video monitoring ecosystem, centered on the TVR-AI200 NVR appliance and an updated QVR Surveillance platform. These solutions aim to simplify system deployment, enhance video intelligence at the edge, and consolidate multi-site management under a single interface. The TVR-AI200 is a compact, standalone NVR that supports up to 16 IP cameras via built-in PoE+ ports. With a setup time of under 10 minutes and support for offline initialization, it is positioned as a rapid-deployment solution for retail chains, branch offices, and remote sites. Unlike standard NAS-based surveillance, this unit is dedicated solely to VMS tasks, running QVR Pro/Elite natively and optimized for AI-enhanced video analytics such as facial recognition, motion detection, and object tracking.

On the software side, the QVR Surveillance suite has received architectural and interface updates. Key enhancements include multi-channel event playback, real-time timeline navigation, and customizable recording profiles. New AI event triggers—such as virtual boundaries, unattended object detection, and license plate recognition—can be configured to trigger alerts or backups through myQNAPcloud One or secondary NAS units. Additionally, QNAP highlighted its ongoing partnership with Network Optix, enabling full support for Nx Witness VMS across QNAP NAS models. This integration allows QNAP devices to host both the video management software and the recorded footage, reducing the need for external VMS servers and helping small-to-medium deployments consolidate hardware. Storage management is enhanced with FileTiers, ensuring high-frequency footage stays on SSD or U.2/NVMe volumes, while archival video is moved automatically to slower disks or cloud targets. This helps reduce costs while maintaining fast access to recent recordings.

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How to Upgrade Your Synology to 10GbE Cheaper with the Xikestor SKN-A113-Mini

The XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is a third-party 10GbE network adapter designed as a budget-friendly alternative to the official Synology E10G22-T1-MINI adapter for select NAS models, including the DS923+, DS723+, DS1522+, and RS422+. While both adapters provide similar networking capabilities, the XikeStor comes at a significantly lower cost. The Synology E10G22-T1-MINI typically retails between $130 and $180, whereas the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is available for $55 to $70, making it at least 50% cheaper. However, this price difference comes with trade-offs, including manual installation, potential compatibility issues, and the risk of voiding Synology’s warranty. Unlike the Synology adapter, which offers plug-and-play functionality, the XikeStor requires manual driver installation via SSH, meaning users must be comfortable with command-line tools and network configuration.

IMPORTANT – Do This At Your Own RISK!

Beyond installation challenges, long-term compatibility is a major concern. Because Synology does not officially support third-party network adapters, DSM updates could break functionality, requiring users to reinstall drivers or rollback updates. The adapter will not work until these steps are taken, making it less convenient for those who prefer a hassle-free setup. Additionally, Synology may deny support for any network-related issues if an unsupported adapter is detected in the system, meaning troubleshooting problems like unstable connections or speed drops would be left entirely to the user. For users who prioritize long-term reliability, this lack of official support can be a deal-breaker.

The build quality of the XikeStor adapter is another factor to consider. While the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI is constructed with higher-quality materials for better heat dissipation and durability, the XikeStor is lighter and may be more prone to wear over time. While many users report good performance, there is no guarantee of long-term reliability, particularly if used in a demanding 24/7 NAS environment. In summary, the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is best suited for users who are comfortable with manual setup, willing to risk DSM update conflicts, and do not need Synology’s official support. For those who prioritize stability, seamless updates, and manufacturer-backed troubleshooting, the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI remains the safer—though more expensive—choice.

Bottom line though, This adapter is not officially supported by Synology. While compatibility with DSM 7.2.2 has been confirmed in testing, future DSM updates may break support. Users must be prepared to troubleshoot driver issues and revert DSM updates if necessary.

Compatibility & Specifications

• Compatible DSM Versions: Tested on DSM 7.2.2-72803 (March 2025)
• Supported NAS Models: DS923+, DS723+, DS1522+, RS422+
• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x2
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F)
• Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% RH
• Warranty: 1 year

Where to Buy? XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini Adapter $58 on AliExpress – HERE XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini Adapter $66 on AliExpress – HERE XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini Adapter £81 on Amazon – HERE OFFICIAL Synology E10G22-T1-Mini Adapter $109 on Amazon – HERE

Installation Guide

Step 0! Ensure system is powered off and install the adapter in the rear of the system.

When installing the adapter first time, make sure the Synology data is BACKED UP, and that the system is powered down. Ensure that you have an additional RJ45 cable connected to the Synology NAS via the 1GbE network port (i.e have a reliable and live network connection to the NAS aside from the 10GbE adapter) as you will need to still access the GUI and NAS via this other connection until the new 10GbE adapter is functioning in your NAS.

Step 1: Check if the Adapter is visible in DSM (will not work immediately)

1. Log into DSM and navigate to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
2. If the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is not listed, proceed with driver installation. IMPORTANT make sure the adapter slot at least shows as ‘occupied’ – as this at least shows the card is visible.

Step 2: Enable SSH on the Synology NAS

1. Open Control Panel > Terminal & SNMP.
2. Enable SSH and take note of the port number.
3. Click Apply.

Step 3: Download Required Software

1. Go to the Putty website to download the terminal software:
   • Visit: https://www.putty.org/
   • Download and install the terminal software on your desktop.

1. Obtain the latest XikeStor drivers from the official website:
   • Visit: http://visit.seekswan.com:6555/app/file/new_download.html
   • Click Download Centre > Network Card > SKN-A113-MINI
   • Download modules.sh (driver installation script).

Step 4: Upload the Driver Script to the NAS

1. Log into DSM and open File Station.
2. Create a new folder (e.g., test).
3. Upload modules.sh to this folder.

Step 5: Access NAS via SSH and Install the Driver

There are several commands that you are going to need to use to have sufficient authorization via SSH. IMPORTANT!!! Using Terminal software and SSH commands can seriously damage your Synology NAS system. DO NOT PERSUE THIS WITHOUT A SYSTEM BACKUP IN PLACE, OR IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE RISKS!

The commands you need to use are detailed below and are based around if you uploaded the files you downloaded from the Xikestor site to the NAS in the directory volume1/test/ . Change as appropriate to where you uploaded:

1. Open Putty.
2. Connect to the NAS using its IP address and the SSH port.
3. Log in using the administrator username and password.
4. Gain root privileges by entering:

   sudo -i

5. Navigate to the folder where modules.sh is stored:

   cd /volume1/test

6. Verify the presence of modules.sh by listing the files:

   ls

7. Run the installation script:

   ./modules.sh

8. Enter atlantic as the driver name when prompted.
9. Copy the installed driver to the correct directory:

   cp mi-d/modules/atlantic.ko /usr/lib/modules

10. Restart the NAS:

    reboot

Step 6: Verify Installation

1. Log back into DSM.
2. Navigate to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
3. The XikeStor adapter should now be visible and configurable.

Performance Testing & Comparison

Test Environment:

• NAS Model: DS923+
• Storage Configuration: RAID 5 SSDs
• Test Tools: AJA, CrystalDiskMark, ATTO Disk Benchmark
• Connection Type: Direct 10GbE connection

Results:

• The XikeStor adapter performed comparably to the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI in sequential read/write tests.
• Some minor inconsistencies in sustained performance were observed, possibly due to driver optimizations.
• The Synology adapter exhibited better build quality and felt more robust.

Risks & Considerations – SERIOUSLY, READ THIS!

Potential Issues with DSM Updates

• Synology DSM updates may remove or disable third-party drivers.
• Users may need to reinstall drivers or rollback DSM versions.
• Installing third-party hardware may void Synology’s support coverage.
• Synology’s official adapter is guaranteed to work without additional setup.
• The Synology E10G22-T1-MINI uses higher-quality materials and has a more durable construction.
• The XikeStor adapter is lighter and may be less robust.
• The XikeStor adapter is not validated by Synology, which may raise concerns about long-term security and stability.
• No suspicious network activity was detected during testing, but users should monitor their network traffic.

Should You Buy the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini or the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI?

Pros: Lower cost (typically 50% cheaper than Synology’s official adapter) Comparable performance in most scenarios Works with DSM 7.1.1-7.2.2 (as of now)

Cons: Requires manual driver installation and SSH access May become incompatible with future DSM updates Build quality is not as premium as Synology’s official adapter Potential warranty implications

Final Recommendation

• If you want hassle-free compatibility and support, the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI is the safer choice.
• If you are tech-savvy, comfortable with SSH, and willing to troubleshoot, the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is a cost-effective alternative.

Where to Buy? XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini Adapter $58 on AliExpress – HERE XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini Adapter $66 on AliExpress – HERE XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini Adapter £81 on Amazon – HERE OFFICIAL Synology E10G22-T1-Mini Adapter $109 on Amazon – HERE

 

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