Asustor vient d’officialiser l’arrivée de 2 nouveaux NAS d’entrée de gamme : les AS1202T et AS1204T (nouvelle série Drivestor Gen2). Au programme, nous avons un processeur ARM Quad Core plus performant, un port réseau 2,5 GbE, le décodage matériel 4K et une connectique modernisée. Le tout à un tarif très agressif débutant à 216 €…

ASUSTOR AS1202T et AS1204T

Austor nous revient avec une nouvelle série : Drivestor Gen 2. Derrière ce nom se cache 2 nouveaux produits AS1202T et AS1204T, respectivement de 2 et 4 baies. Les boitiers sont animés par un processeur Quad Core Realtek RTD1619B cadencé à 1,7 GHz. Pour la mémoire vive, les NAS sont équipé de 1 Go en DDR4 non extensible… c’est regrettable en 2025 pour des machines destinées au multitâche en 2025.

Selon le fabricant, cette architecture dispose d’un iGPU capable de décoder et de diffuser des contenus 4K, notamment en H.264 et AV1… grâce à l’application maison LooksGood. Cela permettrait un streaming fluide depuis le NAS, sans transcodage logiciel lourd.

Connectique

Asustor modernise (enfin) son entrée de gamme avec un port réseau 2,5 Gb/s. Sur un réseau compatible, le fabricant indique qu’il est possible d’atteindre jusqu’à 266 Mo/s en lecture et 160 Mo/s en écriture. Chaque boitier propose également 3 ports USB 3.0 (dont 1 à l’avant).

Positionnement

La série Drivestor Gen2 reste clairement positionnée sur l’entrée de gamme. Par rapport à la génération précédente, l’utilisateur bénéficiera d’un processeur  (meilleure prise en charge vidéo) et d’une prise réseau 2,5 Gb/s. Si on les compare aux Lockerstor, cette série reste loin derrière en termes de puissance CPU, RAM et capacité dans l’ensemble.

Prix et disponibilité

Les 2 modèles arriveront très prochainement selon Asustor. Les prix publics recommandés sont :

• AS1202T : 216€
• AS1204T : 298€

Cela reste de bonnes options pour ceux qui recherche un premier NAS avec un budget serré.

Pour en savoir plus sur ces nouveaux produits, rendez-vous sur le site officiel d’Asustor.

Asustor déploie actuellement ADM 5.1. Parmi les nouveautés, une technologie attire particulièrement l’attention : le PQC (Post-Quantum Cryptography). Derrière ce terme se cache un renforcement important de la sécurité, conçu pour préparer dès aujourd’hui les systèmes aux attaques des futurs ordinateurs quantiques. Cette évolution s’inscrit dans la stratégie définie par le NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology, États-Unis) pour contrer le risque dit du “harvest now, decrypt later”, c’est-à-dire la collecte de données chiffrées aujourd’hui, dans l’espoir de les déchiffrer plus tard avec des moyens de calcul plus puissants…

ADM 5.1 et PQC-Ready

Avec ADM 5.1, Asustor ajoute le chiffrement TLS 1.3 hybride post-quantique, combinant ML-KEM (Kyber) à un échange de clés classique. L’objectif est de rendre les sessions Web résistantes aux attaques différées, où un attaquant intercepterait le trafic aujourd’hui pour le déchiffrer demain. Cette intégration s’aligne sur la vague de normalisation du NIST (2024-2025) et cible un risque réel : la compromission des données stockées sur les NAS.

PQC-Ready : effet d’annonce ou vraie avancée ?

Ici, le bénéfice est immédiat et transparent. Si le navigateur utilisé prend en charge les suites hybrides, la connexion “quantum-resistant” est négociée automatiquement. L’interface ADM affiche alors le mode actif, permettant de vérifier que la session est bien sécurisée. Pour les transferts via HTTPS ou WebDAV, cette technologie réduit considérablement l’intérêt d’une interception réseau dans le but d’un déchiffrement ultérieur.

Cette mise à jour positionne les NAS Asustor parmi les plus proactifs en matière de sécurité. Elle renforce la protection des accès exposés à Internet, garantit la pérennité de la confidentialité des données et prépare les infrastructures à une transition en douceur vers le chiffrement post-quantique, à mesure que les navigateurs et bibliothèques TLS adoptent ces nouveaux standards. Le message est clair : sécuriser les flux dès aujourd’hui pour éviter les mauvaises surprises demain.

PQC activé par défaut

Il est important de noter que le chiffrement post-quantique est activé par défaut dans ADM 5.1. Aucune configuration particulière n’est requise : la protection s’applique automatiquement, sans intervention de l’utilisateur.

Compatibilité navigateur

Bonne nouvelle : si vous utilisez Chrome (et ses dérivés sous Chromium), Firefox ou Safari dans leurs versions récentes, vous bénéficiez déjà du support nécessaire. La négociation hybride se fera donc automatiquement lors de la connexion à votre NAS Asustor.

Et la concurrence ?

À ce jour, aucun concurrent majeur (Synology, QNAP, Ugreen, TerraMaster) n’a communiqué sur une compatibilité PQC. Cela ne signifie pas qu’ils ne le prennent pas en charge (cela dépend principalement de l’intégration de la bibliothèque TLS utilisée), mais en l’absence d’annonce officielle, il est probable qu’Asustor soit le premier à activer cette technologie par défaut.

En synthèse

Asustor ne se contente pas d’un simple effet d’annonce avec la cryptographie post-quantique (PQC). L’intégration de ML-KEM / Kyber dans un TLS hybride activé par défaut représente une véritable avancée vers des connexions plus sûres et résilientes face aux menaces futures.
Il s’agit d’une évolution cohérente avec le calendrier du NIST, que ce soit dans un contexte professionnel ou domestique.

ASUSTOR vient de mettre à disposition ADM 5.1. Il s’agit d’une mise à jour majeure de son système pour NAS, axée sur la sécurité, la robustesse réseau et la gestion avancée des données.Regardons de plus près cette nouvelle version qui devrait en intéresser plus d’un…

ASUSTOR ADM 5.1

Après ADM 5.0 un peu plus tôt cette année, Asustor nous revient avec ADM 5.1. Le fabricant annonce que cette nouvelle version est compatible avant tout sur les gammes de NAS récentes (AS63, 64, Nimbustor, Drivestor, Lockerstor, Flashstor et dérivés). Cette version consolide la stratégie du fabricant autour de la protection des données et de la pérennité logicielle.

Nouveautés

ADM 5.1 introduit la prise en charge du chiffrement PQC Hybrid TLS, une technologie validée par le NIST américain, combinant cryptographie classique et post-quantique. Une avancée majeure face aux futures menaces informatiques. On parle ici plus dans le détails : Asustor et la sécurité post-quantique (PQC).

Les administrateurs bénéficient désormais de règles de robustesse des mots de passe : longueur minimale, complexité et expiration configurable. Le mécanisme de réinitialisation de mot de passe a également été sécurisé via une authentification obligatoire.

Le pare-feu ADM Defender se voit amélioré : il peut désormais bloquer automatiquement les adresses IP suspectes tentant des connexions via EZ-Connect. Il intègre également un nouveau profil pour restreindre les accès aux conteneurs Docker.

Journal des modifications

Après ces nouveautés, regardons les améliorations qu’Asustor nous a réservé dans ADM 5.1 :

• Gestion avancée du proxy inversé : les applications peuvent définir leur propre port dans le fichier de configuration, utilisé ensuite par ADM pour le serveur proxy HTTP/HTTPS ;
• Amélioration de la gestion des onduleurs réseau (UPS) : il est désormais possible de modifier le nom, l’utilisateur et le mot de passe pour faciliter la connexion à d’autres équipements ;
• Correction des connexions PPPoE : les connexions fonctionnent désormais correctement même lorsque le protocole IPv6 est désactivé ;
• Souplesse accrue du dossier Web : après la désactivation du serveur Web (Apache ou Nginx), le dossier partagé Web peut désormais être déplacé vers un autre volume depuis le module Contrôle d’accès ;
• Compatibilité matérielle étendue : ajout du support de nouvelles cartes réseau PCIe haute performance (Lockerstor 12R Pro Gen2 et Lockerstor 16R Pro Gen2) :
  • Broadcom P2100G (2 × 100 GbE)
  • Intel E810CQDA2 (2 × 100 GbE)
  • Intel E810-XXVDA2 (2 × 25 GbE)
  • Broadcom BCM95719A1904AC (4 × 1 GbE)
• Correction de vulnérabilités XSS : les failles potentielles de type Cross-Site Scripting ont été comblées ;
• Stabilité générale améliorée : nombreuses corrections de bugs dans ADM Defender, Web Center et Contrôle d’accès ;
• Traductions et chaînes multilingues mises à jour pour une interface plus cohérente à l’international.

Divers correctifs supplémentaires renforçant la stabilité et les performances globales du système.

Fin de support pour certaines séries

ASUSTOR confirme également la fin du support fonctionnel pour les séries AS31, AS32, AS40, AS61 et AS62. Ces modèles resteront bel et bien limités à ADM 4.3, avec uniquement des mises à jour de sécurité critiques. Le fabricant n’arrête pas les mises à jour, mais les NAS ne bénéficieront plus des nouveautés. Enfin, les Drivestor et Drivestor Pro perdent définitivement le transcodage matériel… cela semble restreint au puce Realtek. C’est également la fin du support des imprimantes IP USB, suite à la fin du support des pilotes par leurs fournisseurs.

Disponible depuis quelques mois, le ASUSTOR FS6806X (Flashstor 6 Gen2) est un NAS atypique à bien des égards. Son format compact et son design sobre en font un appareil élégant. Entièrement full-flash, il n’accepte que des SSD au format NVMe. Sous le capot, on retrouve un processeur AMD Ryzen cadencé à 2,3 GHz, accompagné de 8 Go de mémoire DDR5. Côté connectique, il propose deux ports USB4 Type-C, trois ports USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (dont un en façade) et un port 10 GbE (RJ45). Affiché à 1 129 €, voyons ensemble ce que ce nouveau NAS a réellement dans le ventre…

Test du NAS ASUSTOR FS6806X

Le FS6806X ne s’adresse pas à tous. Il vise clairement les créateurs de contenu, les professionnels et les utilisateurs avancés à la recherche de hautes performances. Sur le papier, le produit semble prometteur. Voyons ce qu’il en est dans la pratique…

Contenu de la boîte

Le packaging comprend :

• Le ASUSTOR FS6806X en lui-même ;
• 1 câble réseau RJ45 Cat.6 ;
• L’alimentation externe et son câble ;
• Un serre câble ;
• Un guide de démarrage rapide ;
• Un livret sur la garantie.

Construction du FS6806X et aspect extérieur

Dès la sortie de la boîte, le format compact du FS6806X surprend. L’appareil mesure 48,3 x 308,26 x 193 mm pour un poids de 1,4 kg à vide. Le boîtier est en plastique noir rigide, avec un effet brossé qui lui confère un aspect plus haut de gamme. C’est un NAS au design singulier et c’est plutôt réussi.

L’installation des SSD demande un peu de patience : l’accès aux six emplacements NVMe se fait par le dessous du boîtier. Il faut retirer quatre vis à l’aide d’un tournevis (non fourni). Heureusement, on ne change pas de SDD tous les jours.

Le NAS dispose de 2 ventilateurs : un pour le processeur (vraisemblablement un 40 mm) et un autre pour les SSD de 80 mm.

Côté connectique, on retrouve :

• 2 ports USB4 Type-C ;
• 3 ports USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (dont un en façade) ;
• 1 port réseau 10 Gb/s.

À noter : aucune sortie HDMI n’est présente.

Intérieur du FS6806X

L’ASUSTOR FS6806X est animé par un processeur Quad Core AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 cadencé à 2,3 GHz (jusqu’à 3,8 GHz en mode burst). Selon PassMark, il obtient un score de 11 882 points, soit plus du double de la moyenne des NAS grand public (environ 5 500 points). En pratique, cela se traduit par une excellente gestion des tâches lourdes : chiffrement, virtualisation et traitement multitâche. Le NAS embarque 8 Go de DDR5 extensibles jusqu’à 64 Go (un vrai plus pour les utilisateurs exigeants).

Emplacements PCI

Le FS6806X dispose de 6 emplacements NVMe, répartis comme suit :

• 1 × PCIe 4.0 x4
• 3 × PCIe 4.0 x2
• 2 × PCIe 4.0 x1

Un emplacement PCIe 4.0 x4 permet d’atteindre environ 8 Go/s de bande passante (idéal pour les SSD haut de gamme).
Les PCIe 4.0 x2 offrent jusqu’à 4 Go/s, ce qui reste suffisant pour la majorité des usages.
Les PCIe 4.0 x1 sont limités à 2 Go/s, adaptés à des SSD de milieu de gamme.

Ce choix d’architecture découle directement des capacités du processeur AMD intégré. Autrement dit, inutile d’investir dans 6* Samsung 990 PRO : ils ne seront pas tous exploités à pleine vitesse. Heureusement, Asustor indique clairement la configuration de chaque slot (voir image ci-dessous).

Heureusement, Asustor indique clairement chacun des emplacements.

ADM

Le NAS est livré avec ADM 5.0, le système d’exploitation maison d’Asustor, basé sur Linux et optimisé pour la gestion de stockage en réseau. L’interface est fluide, claire et offre un vaste écosystème d’applications.

On ne le présente plus, un des meilleurs système du marché.

Performances du FS6806X

Dans la première partie de nos tests, nous allons évaluer les performances des transferts réseau (entre le NAS et des ordinateurs). Ensuite, nous regarderons les capacités du processeur, en analysant ses performances dans la virtualisation et le transcodage vidéo.

Vitesses dans les transferts

Depuis plusieurs années, nous avons mis en place un protocole de tests rigoureux fournissant des données fiables et comparables avec les performances des autres NAS. Pour cela, nous utilisons 4 applications de mesure différentes – 2 sous macOS et 2 sous Windows – et réalisons en plus des transferts de fichiers de tailles variées dans les deux sens (NAS vers Ordinateur puis Ordinateur vers NAS) :

• Petites tailles : 100 fichiers de 500 Ko à 12 Mo (MP3, photos, documents Office)
• Tailles moyennes : 30 fichiers de 12 à 350 Mo (MKV, images RAW, archives ZIP)
• Fichiers volumineux : 10 fichiers avec une taille comprise entre 4 et 10 Go (MKV, ISO)

À partir de ces tests, nous calculons une moyenne des transferts que nous représentons sous forme de graphiques, exprimée en mégaoctets par seconde. Plus le nombre est élevé, plus le NAS est rapide. Pour notre évaluation du FS6806X, nous avons configuré un premier volume avec 1 SSD Samsung 990 Pro et un second avec 3 SSD WD Red SN700 en RAID 5. Nous avons utilisé la prise réseau 10 Gb/s pour nos tests.

Single

Les débits sont en deçà des attentes. Le SSD Samsung 990 Pro est clairement sous-exploité, tout comme la liaison 10 Gb/s. Nous avons parfois dépassé les 1 000 Mo/s ponctuellement (moins souvent qu’escompter), mais sans atteindre les 1 250 Mo/s espérés.

RAID 5

Les performances sont similaires à celles du volume simple (SSD WD Red), à l’exception des écritures de gros fichiers, où une légère baisse se fait sentir. En revanche, nous gagnons en sécurité, continuité de service.

RAID 5 + Crypt

Avec le chiffrement activé, les vitesses d’écriture chutent nettement, plafonnant à environ 300 Mo/s. La lecture, elle, reste relativement stable.

Performances générales

Le FS6806X laisse une impression mitigée. Malgré une architecture solide, ses performances brutes ne sont pas toujours au niveau attendu, surtout face à certains concurrents. Espérons qu’Asustor identifie et corrige rapidement ces limitations via une mise à jour du firmware.

En revanche, le processeur AMD Ryzen fait preuve d’une belle efficacité dans les tâches lourdes : virtualisation et transcodage logiciel. L’absence de GPU intégré impose toutefois de rester attentif aux formats vidéo utilisés. Dans l’ensemble, cela reste une machine performante et robuste.

Consommation électrique et nuisance sonore

Côté bruit, le FS6806X se montre très discret. Les ventilateurs restent quasiment inaudibles, même en charge. Chapeau… Côté consommation électrique, en utilisation normale avec 3 SSD, elle varie entre 12 et 13 W. Lors de transferts intensifs avec chiffrement ou transcodage, elle ne dépasse pas 43,5 W.

Why are NAS Systems not 10GbE as Standard Right Now?

It is 2025, yet the majority of NAS systems on the market continue to ship with 1GbE or, at best, 2.5GbE networking, leaving many users questioning why 10GbE has not become a standard feature. Over the past decade, the cost of 10GbE networking equipment, including switches, NICs, and adapters, has steadily declined, and the technology has long since moved from being an enterprise-only option into mainstream availability. Home labs, creative professionals, and small businesses are increasingly working with 4K and 8K media, large VM environments, and multi-terabyte datasets, all of which can easily saturate a 1GbE or even 2.5GbE connection. Despite this shift, when browsing the portfolios of Synology, QNAP, Asustor, TerraMaster, or even newer DIY-friendly NAS brands, the entry-level and mid-tier systems remain locked at bandwidth speeds that are already dwarfed by modern SSD arrays and multi-bay RAID configurations.

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This gap between user expectations and manufacturer offerings has become more striking as affordable consumer motherboards and even some mini-PCs now integrate 5GbE or 10GbE as standard. By contrast, NAS vendors still tend to position 10GbE as a high-end add-on or restrict it to flagship models, often requiring costly proprietary NIC upgrades. For the average buyer, this creates the perception that NAS devices are lagging behind broader networking trends and are artificially constrained to maintain price tiers. The reality is more complex. The question of why 10GbE has not become universal in NAS hardware cannot be answered solely by pointing to falling market prices of controllers and switches. Instead, the explanation lies in a mix of economics, hardware design limitations, CPU lane allocations, and the fact that networking itself is evolving beyond 10GbE into alternatives like 25GbE and USB4. All of these factors together show why the integration of 10GbE into NAS devices remains more complicated than it may first appear.

Discussing the Issue / Barriers to Manufacturers

One of the most persistent barriers to universal 10GbE adoption in NAS systems is the economic reality of how these devices are positioned. Vendors like Synology, QNAP, and Asustor operate in a layered product ecosystem, where each tier is designed to push customers toward more expensive models. Entry-level devices often compete on affordability rather than raw performance, meaning that features like 10GbE are deliberately held back to differentiate mid-range and enterprise systems. The actual bill of materials (BOM) cost for including 10GbE hardware is lower than it was five years ago, but manufacturers still view it as a premium feature that justifies higher price points. By holding 10GbE in reserve for upper tiers, vendors protect their margins, avoid cannibalising sales of more profitable models, and keep upgrade paths clear for customers as their needs grow. This is not simply technical gatekeeping but a conscious market segmentation strategy.

A second, more technical challenge comes from CPU and chipset design. The processors used in affordable NAS devices are almost always low-power embedded models—Intel Celeron, Atom, or entry-level AMD Ryzen Embedded chips—which provide only a limited number of PCIe lanes. These lanes must be distributed across storage controllers, NVMe slots, expansion slots, and network interfaces. Introducing 10GbE requires not only dedicating at least two, and often four, PCIe lanes, but also ensuring that the CPU can handle the higher throughput without becoming the bottleneck. If a vendor reallocates lanes to add 10GbE, they may have to reduce the number of NVMe slots, cut down on SATA ports, or compromise expansion card bandwidth. For many manufacturers, it is simpler to leave 10GbE out of the base design than to risk producing a system that looks good on paper but struggles to deliver in practice.

Beyond lane allocation, there is also the issue of power, thermals, and board layout. 10GbE controllers typically draw more power and generate more heat than 1GbE or 2.5GbE chips. In compact NAS enclosures designed for low-noise operation, this can force more aggressive cooling solutions or tighter thermal management. For brands already working within strict acoustic and energy efficiency limits, especially in home or small office NAS devices, the integration of 10GbE becomes a balancing act between speed and stability. Higher thermal load can also reduce the overall lifespan of components or require larger enclosures, both of which erode the appeal of entry-level systems where buyers expect compact and efficient designs.

Another factor that discourages widespread 10GbE adoption is ecosystem alignment. NAS vendors are keenly aware that a large percentage of their target audience does not yet operate in 10GbE-ready environments. Even though 10GbE switches and NICs are more affordable in 2025, many households and small offices still rely on routers and switches with 1GbE or 2.5GbE uplinks. For these users, the inclusion of 10GbE would have little practical benefit, since the rest of the network infrastructure cannot support it. From the manufacturer’s perspective, bundling 10GbE into a device that will simply be throttled by the customer’s network backbone risks making the feature look pointless, or worse, “non-functional.” As such, 10GbE tends to be reserved for prosumer and enterprise segments, where it is more likely that users already have or are willing to invest in compatible infrastructure.

Finally, there is a subtle but important business factor at play: vendor ecosystems and upsell opportunities. Many NAS brands sell proprietary 10GbE upgrade cards or branded NICs, which can only be used with their systems. By omitting onboard 10GbE but providing expansion slots, vendors create an additional revenue stream while giving customers flexibility to upgrade later. This model also ensures that users who truly require 10GbE end up spending more within the brand’s ecosystem, while casual buyers stick to lower-cost systems that do not overdeliver. In this sense, the absence of 10GbE on affordable NAS units is not only about technical limitations, but also about preserving a staged upgrade model that aligns with each brand’s long-term revenue strategy.

The Solution – How Can 10GbE Be More Accessible?

The landscape for 10GbE networking hardware has improved significantly in the last few years, with controllers becoming cheaper, more efficient, and easier to integrate into consumer systems. Early 10GbE relied heavily on costly Intel or Mellanox chipsets designed primarily for enterprise servers, often priced in the hundreds of dollars per card. Today, vendors such as Realtek, Aquantia (now under Marvell), and Broadcom produce consumer-focused 10GbE controllers that are smaller, run cooler, and consume less power. These newer chipsets are also designed to integrate more smoothly with mainstream CPUs and motherboards, reducing the need for complex PCB layouts. The result has been a marked reduction in the cost of standalone NICs and USB-to-10GbE adapters, which now frequently sell for under $100, making them accessible even for home users experimenting with faster networking.

Even with this progress, manufacturers remain hesitant to make 10GbE a baseline feature across all NAS devices. Part of the reason lies in how modern NAS systems must juggle limited resources. As CPUs have shifted to PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5, the available bandwidth has increased, but vendors are also using these lanes to expand NVMe storage pools, enable GPU acceleration, or add AI-focused co-processors for surveillance, indexing, or media analysis. In many cases, vendors see greater value in offering more M.2 slots, dual PCIe expansion options, or flexible NIC bays than in permanently dedicating space to 10GbE. This explains why hybrid designs are now common: devices shipping with 2.5GbE or 5GbE onboard, with a dedicated slot for an optional 10GbE card. Such configurations give users a faster-than-gigabit baseline, but also keep upgrade paths open for power users who truly need multi-gigabit networking.

The state of 10GbE is also being influenced by the rapid adoption of adjacent technologies. 2.5GbE has become the de facto standard in new consumer motherboards and mid-tier switches, offering a cheap and widely compatible upgrade path for everyday users who want more than 1GbE without changing their cabling. At the other end of the spectrum, higher-speed networking such as 25GbE or 40GbE is filtering down from data centres to advanced prosumer setups, while direct-connect solutions like Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 offer bandwidth well beyond 10GbE with less CPU overhead and simpler plug-and-play deployment. Software optimisation is also playing a role: modern NAS operating systems increasingly support IP over Thunderbolt or USB4, which provides a parallel path to multi-gigabit performance without the traditional reliance on Ethernet standards. As a result, 10GbE finds itself squeezed in the middle—too expensive to be a no-brainer at the entry level, but increasingly overshadowed by faster alternatives at the top end. It remains a critical sweet spot for small businesses and creative professionals, but its window of dominance is being challenged by the pace of networking innovation.

Verdict and Conclusion – Buy a 10GbE NAS Now or Wait?

The question of why 10GbE has not become a standard feature across NAS devices in 2025 does not have a single answer, but rather a convergence of factors. Manufacturers face technical challenges in CPU lane allocation, thermal management, and system design, while also making deliberate market choices to protect product segmentation and encourage upsell opportunities. At the same time, 10GbE sits in an awkward position within the networking landscape: cheaper and more efficient than ever, yet increasingly bypassed by the widespread adoption of 2.5GbE on the low end and the emergence of 25GbE, Thunderbolt, and USB4 on the high end. For now, this means that 10GbE remains reserved for higher-tier NAS systems where the hardware can genuinely sustain its throughput and where the user base is prepared to invest in compatible infrastructure. While prices will continue to fall and adoption will grow, it is unlikely that every NAS will adopt 10GbE as standard before other technologies begin to replace it as the next performance baseline.

5 affordable Turnkey 10GbE NAS Solutions (Between $499 and $699)

For years, 10GbE networking has been seen as a premium feature reserved for high-end or enterprise-grade NAS devices, often pushing total system costs well beyond the reach of home users and small businesses. However, as controller prices have dropped and demand for faster data transfers has grown, a new wave of affordable NAS solutions has started to appear with built-in 10GbE. These systems no longer require expensive proprietary upgrade cards or third-party NICs, and many sit comfortably below the $699 / £599 price point. They cover a range of use cases, from compact SSD-based NAS devices to rackmount storage appliances and versatile desktop units. Below is a selection of some of the most notable options currently available, each offering a balance of performance, connectivity, and affordability for users who want to move beyond 1GbE or 2.5GbE without breaking the bank.

UniFi UNAS Pro (7-Bay, Rackmount)

I keep coming back to two words for the UniFi UNAS Pro—fundamentals and consistency. UniFi has clearly focused on making this system a strong addition to their ecosystem, prioritizing the essential storage needs of a NAS. They’ve succeeded in this, but comparisons with long-established competitors are inevitable. While solid, reliable, and stable, the UniFi UNAS Pro will take time to be competitive on the software front. If you’re deeply invested in the UniFi ecosystem, you’ll appreciate its ease of use and integration. However, outside of a UniFi network, it may feel feature-light compared to alternatives. The pricing is competitive for a launch product at $499, and while it’s not the best NAS on the market, it’s the most user-friendly and UniFi-ready. It will likely satisfy many users’ needs. I can certainly see this being integrated into existing UniFi networks as a 2nd stage backup alongside their already existing 3rd party NAS solution, with the potential to graduating to their primary storage as Ubiquiti continue to evolve this platform above and beyond the fundamentals their have nailed down in the UNAS Pro system.

• Approx. Price: $499 / £400

• Specs: ARM Cortex-A57 quad-core CPU, 8 GB RAM, seven 2.5″/3.5″ SATA bays, 1×10GbE SFP+ and 1×1GbE.

• Why It Stands Out: Exceptional price-to-performance for pure storage needs. Lacks advanced multimedia or container apps but ideal for high-speed backups in a rackmount setup.

BUILD QUALITY - 10/10

HARDWARE - 7/10

PERFORMANCE - 7/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.2

PROS

Nails down the fundamentals of NAS Storage very well
Easy to use GUI and well suited in the UniFi Ecosystem/UX
Complete Offline Use is supported
Use of a UI account is NOT compulsory
Excellently deployed Snapshot Features
10GbE out-the-box
Open HDD Compatibility, but also 1st party options too
Backup and Restoration Options Nailed down perfectly
Very power efficient and CPU/, Memory utilization rarely high
Compact, Quite and well designed chassis
The LCD controls are completely \'different level\' compared to other brands in the market
Promised competitive pricing
FAST deployment (3-5mins tops)
Reactive Storage expandability and easy-to-understand storage failover options
Mobile app deployment is intuitive/fast
Feels stable, secure and reliable at all times
Performance is respectable (considering SATA Bay count and CPU) but also sustained performance is very good
Single screen dashboard is clear and intuitive
Ditto for the native file explorer

CONS

7 Bays is a bit unusual, plus feels like the existing UNVR with different firmware
Additional App installation (eg. \'Protect\') not currently supported. So no container support for 3rd party apps
Network Controls are limited
Works at it\'s best in an existing UniFi managed network, feels a little limited in \'standalone\'
Multiple storage pools not supported (nor is RAID 0)
Lack of Scheduled On/Off
Lack of redundant PSU
Only 1 10Gb port and 1x 1GbE, no USBs for expanded storage or an expansion

Asustor Flashstor 12 Gen 1 (Compact NVMe NAS)

The Asustor Flashstor Gen 2 12-Bay NAS is a robust and versatile solution for users with demanding storage needs. Its combination of high-performance hardware, extensive connectivity options, and compact design makes it a standout choice for content creators, small businesses, and enthusiasts. With dual 10GbE ports, USB 4.0 connectivity, and support for up to 12 M.2 NVMe drives, it offers exceptional speed and scalability. While the device has a few quirks, such as its mixed PCIe slot speeds and lack of M.2 heat sinks, these are manageable with proper planning and aftermarket solutions. The Flashstor Gen 2 excels in raw performance, handling intensive workflows with ease and maintaining low noise levels even under load. Its power efficiency and robust thermal management further enhance its appeal for 24/7 operation. For users prioritizing hardware capabilities and performance, the Flashstor Gen 2 delivers on its promises. While its complexity may deter less experienced users, those with the technical expertise to configure and optimize the system will find it a valuable addition to their workflow.

• Approx. Price: $750 / £600

• Specs: Intel Celeron N5105, 12×M.2 NVMe slots, single 10GbE port, compact form factor.

• Notable Traits: High-density SSD storage in a small desktop chassis. Excellent value for SSD-heavy builds.

SOFTWARE - 6/10

HARDWARE - 9/10

PERFORMANCE - 10/10

PRICE - 7/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.0

PROS

Exceptional Performance: Dual 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports and USB 4.0 connectivity deliver fast and reliable data transfer speeds, ideal for 4K editing and collaborative environments.
Extensive Storage Options: Supports up to 12 M.2 NVMe SSDs, allowing for large-scale, high-speed storage arrays.
ECC Memory Support: Includes 16GB of DDR5-4800 ECC memory (expandable to 64GB), ensuring data integrity for critical applications.
Compact Design: Small footprint makes it perfect for workspaces with limited room.
Quiet Operation: Dual-fan system keeps noise levels low, even under heavy loads.
Flexible Connectivity: Features two USB 4.0 Type-C ports and three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports for direct storage access and peripheral integration.
Power Efficiency: Low power consumption (32.2W idle, 56W under load) makes it economical to run, even for 24/7 operation.
Thermal Management Enhancements: Dual fans and copper heat pipes efficiently dissipate heat, ensuring stable performance.
Support for Third-Party Operating Systems: Compatible with platforms like TrueNAS and Unraid for advanced customization.

CONS

Mixed PCIe Slot Speeds: Inconsistent PCIe bandwidth across M.2 slots complicates unified RAID configurations.
Lack of M.2 Heat Sinks: NVMe slots do not include heat sinks, requiring aftermarket cooling solutions for intensive workloads.
No Integrated Graphics: The AMD Ryzen V3C14 processor lacks integrated graphics, limiting hardware transcoding and multimedia capabilities.
Steep Price: The 12-bay model’s cost ($1,300–$1,400) and the six-bay version’s lack of ECC memory make them expensive compared to alternatives.

UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus

BOTTOM LINE – The UGREEN NASYnc DXP4800 Plus does not feel ‘finished’ yet and still needs more time in the over, but UGREEN have been very clear with me that this product is not intended for release and fulfilment till summer 2024 and improvements, optimization and product completion is still in progress. Judging the UGREEN NAS systems, when what we have is a pre-release and pre-crowdfunding sample, was always going to be tough. The DXP4800 PLUS is a very well put-together NAS solution, arriving with a fantastic launching price point (arguably even at its RRP for the hardware on offer). UGREEN has clearly made efforts here to carve out their own style, adding their own aesthetic to the traditional 4-bay server box design that plagues NAS boxes at this scale. Equally, although they are not the first brand to consider Kickstarter/Crowdfunding for launching a new product in the NAS/personal-cloud sector, this is easily one of the most confident entries I have seen yet. The fact that this system arrives on the market primarily as a crowdfunded solution (though almost certainly, if successful, will roll out at traditional retail) is definitely going to give users some pause for thought. Equally, the UGREEN NAS software, still in beta at the time of writing, although very responsive and nailing down the basics, still feels like it needs more work to compete with the bigger boys at Synology and QNAP. Hardware architecture, scalability, and performance are all pretty impressive, though the performance of the Gen 4×4 M.2 NVMe slots didn’t seem to hit the numbers I was expecting. Perhaps a question of PCIe bottlenecking internally, or a need for further tweaking and optimization as the system continues development. Bottom line, with expected software updates to roll out closer to launch and fulfillment, such as an expanded App center and mobile client, the UGREEN DXP4800 Plus is definitely a device worth keeping an eye on in the growing Turnkey and semi-DIY NAS market. As an alternative to public cloud services, this is a no-brainer and worth the entry price point. As an alternative to established Turnkey NAS Solutions, we will hold off judgment till it is publicly released.

• Approx. Price: $595 / £475

• Specs: Intel Pentium Gold 8505 (6-thread), 8 GB DDR5, 4×SATA + 2×M.2 slots, 1×10GbE and 1×2.5GbE, plus HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, and SD reader.

• Why It’s Attractive: Well-rounded design with rich connectivity and media support, undercuts most rivals on price and features.

SOFTWARE - 6/10

HARDWARE - 9/10

PERFORMANCE - 6/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 8/10

7.6

PROS

Exceptional Hardware for the Price
4 HDDs + 2x Gen 4x4 M.2 in 1 box under $400
Good Balanced CPU choice in the Pentium Gold 8505
10GbE and 2.5GbE as standard
An SD Card Slot (wielrd rare!)
10/10 Build Quality
Great Scalability
Fantastic Mobile Application (even vs Synology and QNAP etc)
Desktop/Browser GUI shows promise
Established Brand entering the NAS Market
Not too noisy (comparatively)
Very Appealing retail package+accessories

CONS

10GbE Performance was underwhelming
Crowdfunding choice is confusing
Software (still in Beta) is still far from ready 22/3/24
non-UGREEN PSU is unexpected

TerraMaster F4-424 Max / F6-424 Max

The TerraMaster F4-424 Max is a robust 4-bay NAS system that offers a powerful mix of features and flexibility for a wide range of tasks. Powered by the Intel i5-1235U CPU with 10 cores and 12 threads, the F4-424 Max excels at resource-intensive applications such as Plex media streaming, 4K hardware transcoding, and virtual machine hosting. Its dual M.2 NVMe slots running at PCIe Gen 4 speeds significantly improve storage performance, especially when used for caching, while the two 10GbE ports offer high-speed networking environments, allowing for 20Gbps throughput via link aggregation.

In terms of software, TOS 6 brings notable improvements, although it still lags behind the more polished ecosystems of Synology DSM and QNAP QTS. That said, TerraMaster’s continuous software evolution with each new version of TOS ensures that users have access to more robust tools and security features. For its price point of $899.99, the F4-424 Max is a compelling option for those seeking high-performance NAS solutions with scalability in mind. While the Pro model offers competitive performance, the Max takes it a step further with advanced networking, making it ideal for environments where speed is a priority.

• Approx. Price: $675 / £550 (F4-424 Max, during sale) – $899 / £700 (F6-424 Max, regular)

• Specs: Intel Core i5-1235U (10-core), 8 GB RAM, dual 10GbE ports, dual M.2, with 4 or 6 SATA bays depending on model.

• Why It Helps: The F4-424 Max frequently drops below the $800 mark in promotions, offering unusually strong CPU performance and dual 10GbE at a mid-range price point.

SOFTWARE - 6/10

HARDWARE - 9/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.2

PROS

Powerful Hardware: Intel i5-1235U with 10 cores and 12 threads for resource-heavy tasks.
Dual 10GbE Ports: High-speed networking capabilities with link aggregation for up to 20Gbps, ideal for large file transfers.
PCIe Gen 4 NVMe Support: Two M.2 NVMe slots offering exceptional performance for caching or additional high-speed storage.
Efficient Cooling: The large 120mm fan ensures quiet and effective cooling, making it suitable for home and office environments.
Improved TOS 6 Software: Enhancements in GUI, backup tools, and overall security bring TOS closer to its competitors.

CONS

Higher Price Tag: At $899.99, it’s more expensive than TerraMaster’s other models, which may deter budget-conscious buyers.
No PCIe Expansion: Lack of a PCIe slot limits potential for future upgrades, such as adding 10GbE cards or more M.2 drives.
Presentation: The software has improved a lot, but still feels inconsistent in places compared with alternatives from brands such as Synology and QNAP.

Summary Table

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Récemment, plusieurs alertes de sécurité ont été remontées par les principaux fabricants de NAS. Même si rien n’indique que ces failles aient été exploitées, il est fortement recommandé d’appliquer les mises à jour disponibles pour le système… et les applications ! Mais que faire lors le constructeur ne fait pas d’effort ? Il existe des solutions.

Pourquoi et comment mettre à jour son NAS ?

Vous le savez certainement (mais il est toujours bon de le rappeler), maintenir son NAS à jour est essentiel pour assurer sa sécurité. La sauvegarde régulière des données est primordiale, mais l’installation des mises à jour du système et des applications permet de corriger des failles de sécurité potentielles.

Les fabricants publient régulièrement des mises à jour, parfois pour ajouter de nouvelles fonctionnalités, mais aussi pour combler des vulnérabilités. Pour les applications (natives ou de sources tierces), c’est la même chose…

Note : si vous utilisez Docker, pensez également à mettre à jour vos images et conteneurs

Les risques liés aux failles de sécurité

Ces derniers mois, plusieurs vulnérabilités ont été découvertes et corrigées par les constructeurs. Leur exploitation pourrait avoir des conséquences sérieuses :

• Élévation de privilèges ;
• Exécution de code arbitraire ;
• Vol de données ;
• …

Certaines failles sont classées critiques. Il faut donc mettre à jour votre NAS ! Bonne nouvelle, ces correctifs sont gratuits. Il serait dommage de s’en priver.

Quand installer une mise à jour ?

Toutes les mises à jour ne se valent pas. Voici quelques recommandations :

• Mises à jour critiques : appliquez-les rapidement, idéalement dans les 48 heures. Attendre permet de s’assurer qu’aucun bug majeur n’a été signalé… mais n’attendez jamais plus d’une semaine si votre NAS est accessible depuis Internet.
• Mises à jour mineures (compatibilité avec de nouveaux SSD, améliorations visuelles…) : vous pouvez patienter plusieurs jours avant de les installer.

Note : on n’oublie pas de faire des sauvegardes régulièrement

Que faire si votre NAS n’est plus mis à jour ?

Lorsqu’une faille est détectée, les fabricants publient rapidement un correctif pour la dernière version du système (DSM, QTS, ADM…). Malheureusement pour les anciennes versions, cela peut-être très long… voire ils ne sont jamais mis à jour.

Si votre NAS contient des données sensibles (et c’est presque toujours le cas), voici quelques mesures à adopter si aucune mise à jour de sécurité n’est proposée :

• Ne l’exposez pas directement à Internet : désactivez la possibilité d’accéder au NAS depuis Internet ;
• Restez informé : consultez régulièrement les sites des constructeurs, les portails spécialisés comme Cachem ou Forum des NAS, ainsi que les réseaux sociaux ;
• Contactez le support du fabricant : signalez le problème afin d’encourager une correction.

Note : si vous devez absolument accéder à vos données à distance, mettez en place un serveur VPN (WireGuard, OpenVPN…) sur un périphérique tiers : routeur/box, Raspberry Pi, mini-PC… mais pas sur le NAS.

En synthèse

La mise à jour régulière de votre NAS et de ses applications est une nécessité pour prévenir les risques de sécurité. Cependant, toutes les failles ne sont pas liées à une exposition en ligne. Nous vous recommandons de limiter l’accès direct depuis Internet à votre NAS.

Enfin, une veille active est indispensable pour rester informer des correctifs et des recommandations en matière de sécurité. Un NAS non mis à jour peut devenir une cible facile. Faites les mises à jour régulièrement !

Does this Budget $140 AliExpress 10GbE Switch Deserve Your Data?

The landscape of 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking has a significant shift over the past few years, with hardware that was once considered enterprise-only gradually trickling down to the consumer and prosumer market. Affordable multi-gig switches, particularly those with 2.5G or SFP-only configurations, are now commonplace. However, the search becomes much more complicated when you’re looking for a compact, budget-friendly 10GbE switch that combines both RJ45 copper and SFP+ fiber ports — and adds basic managed features to the mix. This is precisely where the Goodtop 6-Port 10GbE Managed Switch positions itself, offering four 10GBase-T ports, two SFP+ ports, and a claimed 120Gbps backplane bandwidth, all for around $140 on AliExpress.

At this price point, it’s important to approach products like this with realistic expectations. The Goodtop switch is not aiming to compete with the likes of Cisco, Aruba, or even MikroTik in terms of long-term support or security posture. Like many white-label or lesser-known brands shipping out of China, concerns around firmware transparency, update frequency, and potential vulnerabilities are valid. This is particularly relevant for users planning to expose management interfaces to external networks or integrate these switches into larger, more sensitive environments. Still, for isolated use in lab setups, home networks, or behind firewall-protected infrastructure, devices like this can offer compelling value — if they deliver on core functionality. This review takes a closer look at the Goodtop switch’s physical design, port configuration, internal hardware, software interface, and performance characteristics. Rather than focusing on theoretical specs alone, this analysis is based on hands-on testing to determine where the unit succeeds, where it cuts corners, and what kind of buyer it’s realistically suited for.

Goodtop Budget 6 Port 10GbE Switch Review – Quick Conclusion

The Goodtop 6-Port 10GbE Managed Switch delivers impressive value by combining four 10GBase-T and two 10G SFP+ ports in a compact, low-cost form factor, making it one of the most affordable mixed-media 10GbE switches on the market. It performs reliably under load, supports a full set of essential Layer 2 features like VLANs, link aggregation, and QoS, and provides a practical way for home lab users or small setups to adopt 10G networking without overspending. However, the switch’s low price is reflected in its build quality, fixed-speed noisy fan, and a barebones, unintuitive web interface that may challenge less experienced users. Security features are minimal, with no HTTPS, 2FA, or multi-user support, making it best suited for isolated, firewall-protected environments rather than critical infrastructure. For technically confident users seeking affordable, high-speed connectivity in a controlled setting, the Goodtop switch is a capable and cost-effective option—as long as its limitations are clearly understood.

Goodtop Budget 6 Port 10GbE Switch Review – Design

The Goodtop 6-Port 10GbE switch adopts a compact footprint and minimalist industrial design that aligns with many of the budget-friendly networking products emerging from OEMs in the Chinese market. Its chassis measures 200mm x 118mm x 44mm and is constructed from a thin, painted sheet metal. At just under 700 grams, the device is easy to handle and unobtrusive on a desk or shelf. It supports both desktop placement and wall mounting, the latter made possible by a pair of hook points integrated into the casing. While the construction is adequate for light to moderate use, it doesn’t offer the heft or rigidity seen in more enterprise-leaning gear.

There are no rubber feet to reduce surface vibration, nor any rack-mounting ears included by default. The paint finish is clean but basic, and minor flexing of the panels is possible under moderate pressure. These design choices reflect an emphasis on affordability rather than robustness, and users intending to deploy this switch in harsher physical environments may want to consider added enclosure or structural reinforcement. Still, for indoor use where vibration and temperature control are consistent, the physical form is entirely serviceable.

Thermal management is handled by a single small-diameter fan mounted laterally inside the chassis, supported by perforated ventilation cutouts on the opposing side. This active cooling setup is necessary given the heat output of the internal 10GbE components, particularly when all ports are under load.

During testing, the fan proved effective in maintaining safe thermal levels across typical workloads, with internal temperature readings ranging between 31°C and 36°C depending on ambient conditions and port usage. However, the fan’s acoustic characteristics are worth noting: it operates at a fixed RPM, regardless of system temperature or network activity.

This results in a constant hum that registers between 38 and 41 dBA — not excessive, but certainly noticeable in quiet environments. There are no accessible fan speed controls in the management interface, and the unit lacks thermal sensors or thresholds that would allow for adaptive fan curves.

For users operating this switch in a studio, home office, or any acoustically sensitive environment, the persistent fan noise could be a drawback. Modifications, such as third-party silent fan replacements, may be feasible but would require disassembly and some DIY effort. Overall, the cooling solution works, but its implementation is clearly a compromise between function and cost.

Goodtop Budget 6 Port 10GbE Switch Review – Hardware & Connections

The Goodtop switch is equipped with a total of six 10-Gigabit-capable ports, split between four RJ45 (10GBase-T) and two SFP+ slots. This particular configuration is uncommon at this price tier, especially among switches that offer web-based management. The inclusion of both copper and fiber interfaces in one device provides flexibility for mixed network environments — ideal for users bridging legacy copper infrastructure with newer fiber deployments or integrating NAS devices and uplinks with varying interface standards. All six ports are located on the front panel, clearly labeled and spaced far enough apart to accommodate bulkier cables and transceivers without interference.

The RJ45 ports support standard multi-gig Ethernet protocols, with backward compatibility for 100Mb, 1G, 2.5G, and 5GBase-T connections, depending on cabling. According to the manufacturer’s specs, Cat6 or better is recommended for full 10GBase-T performance up to 100 meters.

The SFP+ ports accept a wide range of 10G transceivers, including DACs (Direct Attach Copper), SR/LR fiber modules, and media converters, offering strong compatibility with third-party optics and hardware.

Despite its low cost, the switch claims a 120Gbps backplane switching capacity and a non-blocking architecture capable of 89.28 million packets per second. While exact benchmarking under full simultaneous port saturation wasn’t possible due to hardware limitations during testing, four concurrent 10GBase-T connections were tested successfully with sustained bidirectional transfers.

Under load, the unit handled transmission reliably without packet loss or obvious performance degradation. Power consumption scales with usage: idle draw sits at approximately 7.5 watts with no connected clients, while active use with four 10G copper links under sustained read/write activity peaked around 19.8 watts.

These values are in line with expectations for a full-10G switch operating with active cooling, and while not low, they are acceptable for most desktop or lab environments. It’s worth noting that due to heat generation and airflow limitations, users may experience rising internal temperatures if all six ports are driven continuously, especially in poorly ventilated setups. However, the flexibility to use either media type and the stable throughput on tested ports suggest that the internal switching logic and port handling are effectively implemented, given the device’s pricing and market position.

Internally, the Goodtop 6-Port 10GbE switch is built around a Realtek chipset configuration comprising the RTL9303 switch controller and RTL8264B PHYs, a pairing commonly found in recent budget and white-label 10G networking products. These components are designed to deliver basic Layer 2 managed functionality with support for VLAN tagging, link aggregation, and other expected switching features. Two medium-sized aluminum heatsinks cover the main chips, with thermal paste applied to ensure contact and heat dissipation, albeit passively reliant on the unit’s single fan for airflow. There is no internal battery backup, surge suppression beyond nominal protection, or modular power regulation — design choices consistent with its low cost.

The unit includes a modest 12Mbit of packet buffer memory and supports a MAC address table size of up to 16K entries, which should be sufficient for most small-to-medium environments. There are no removable components or visible debugging headers, and the board layout is straightforward with no major thermal bottlenecks observed during operation. Overall, the hardware design is minimal but appropriate for the target use case: non-critical environments requiring inexpensive multi-gig connectivity without expectations of advanced redundancy or hardware resilience. While it doesn’t compete with enterprise-class internals in terms of engineering quality or extensibility, it does reflect a competent implementation of entry-level switching silicon with functional thermal management.

Goodtop Budget 6 Port 10GbE Switch Review – Software

The Goodtop switch ships with a built-in web-based management interface that allows users to configure a range of Layer 2 features typical of entry-level managed switches. The interface is accessible via a browser once an IP address is assigned, and no additional software is required. However, the overall presentation and usability of the software are quite basic. The UI lacks visual polish, contextual help, or guided configuration tools. Navigation is functional but unintuitive, with much of the terminology and layout appearing generic and unbranded — a likely result of the firmware being repurposed from a reference design or OEM platform.

There are no wizards or safety prompts to prevent misconfiguration, which could make the switch challenging for less experienced users to manage safely. Additionally, there is no mobile optimization or official companion app, and the interface does not support HTTPS out of the box. Firmware updates are possible via the web console, though update channels or changelogs are not provided, and documentation is sparse.

Despite its limited interface design, the switch includes a solid range of features that are normally found in more expensive units. These include core Layer 2 controls and essential traffic management capabilities, offering flexibility for VLAN segmentation, link aggregation, and network troubleshooting. While these features are mostly geared toward technical users, they cover a surprisingly broad spectrum of functionality for a switch in this price bracket. However, it’s worth noting that the interface offers no access controls beyond a single user account, no two-factor authentication, and no role-based access — all of which may concern users deploying this switch in sensitive or multi-user environments. Fan speed control, system logs, or SNMP monitoring are also absent, limiting the unit’s viability for more advanced administrative needs. Key supported features include:

• VLAN support (802.1Q, VLAN IDs 1–4094)

• Port-based VLAN assignment

• Link Aggregation (LACP)

• Loop detection

• Jumbo frame support (up to 9K bytes)

• MAC address filtering

• Port mirroring

• Broadcast storm control

• QoS / Port-based priority settings

• Traffic statistics monitoring

• Basic firmware upgrade support

These tools are adequate for static network environments or those with fixed segmentation needs, but administrators seeking dynamic configuration, remote logging, or integration with monitoring platforms will find the software lacking in depth.

Goodtop Budget 6 Port 10GbE Switch Review – Verdict and Conclusion

The Goodtop 6-Port 10GbE Managed Switch offers an appealing combination of features that are rarely found together in a product at this price point. With four 10GBase-T copper ports and two 10G SFP+ fiber slots, it caters to users who need to bridge different media types without investing in multiple specialized devices. The unit delivers consistent throughput, a practical management interface, and baseline Layer 2 capabilities suitable for most small-scale, static deployments. For those building or expanding home labs, adding high-speed links between servers and NAS devices, or testing 10GbE equipment without committing to enterprise-level budgets, this switch is a very practical and accessible option. The price tag — typically hovering between $130 and $140 — is particularly compelling when compared with similar switches from established brands, which often cost two to three times as much while offering fewer ports or omitting management functionality.

However, it’s important to understand what trade-offs make that low cost possible. Physically, the unit is built with budget-grade materials, and although the compact design is functional, the thin metal chassis lacks the rigidity and passive cooling features seen in more expensive models. The inclusion of active cooling is necessary given the switch’s full 10GbE capability, but the fixed-speed fan results in a persistent acoustic presence that may not be acceptable in quiet workspaces. In terms of power usage and thermal output, the switch performs within expectations, though it naturally draws more power than multi-gig or 1G devices — something to consider if operating in environments sensitive to power efficiency or heat buildup.

On the software side, the web-based management interface includes a reasonably full feature set for configuring VLANs, link aggregation, QoS, and port monitoring, but the UI is visually dated, lacking intuitive navigation, helpful prompts, or contextual explanations. For seasoned users comfortable with networking terminology and manual configuration, this isn’t a major obstacle. However, newcomers may find the software overwhelming or difficult to use without external guidance. Security is another area where the switch shows its limitations. The absence of HTTPS access, multi-user management, or basic features like two-factor authentication limits its suitability for exposed or multi-tenant environments. Firmware updates are possible, but no public update path or official support channels are offered, making long-term update viability uncertain.

Ultimately, this is a product built around value — and that value is real, as long as buyers know what they’re getting into. The Goodtop switch does not pretend to be a polished enterprise-grade solution, nor does it offer the ecosystem integration or long-term support found in more expensive alternatives. Instead, it provides raw functionality: six full-speed 10GbE ports, a working management layer, and compatibility with a wide range of copper and optical transceivers. For environments that are self-contained, technically managed, and not security-critical, this device offers performance that aligns well with its low cost. For those willing to make small compromises on build quality and user experience, it’s an excellent option for extending 10G connectivity without overspending.

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