The QNAP QTS 5.2 Beta is Now Available

Most people who own a NAS drive, for business or for pleasure, will realise very early on that the software that these systems arrive with is more than just simple file/folder storage access. In particular, the QNAP QTS system software and services is one that has evolved a great deal over the years and has now found a pretty good balance between providing a user-friendly GUI experience and providing a good degree of system/storage information when needed. Add to this that QNAP has generally been the first to market when it comes to innovation in the NAS industry (sometimes a little sooner than some might like!) and this has led to them introducing a number of key applications in the past before their competitors in NAS (HybridMount, vJBOD, Container Station, Linux Station and Multimedia Console to name a few) in their previous versions of QTS. QNAP is now going to provide users access, test and provide feedback on QTS 5.2. The Beta of QTS 5.2 is now available to download from QNAP HERE and along with numerous background improvements, there are several new application service upgrades, new security improvements, dedicated SMB portal, additional storage and snapshot integration/improvements and thumbnail/file indexing enhancements. Let’s discuss the QNAP QTS 5.2 beta and see what’s new.

You can download the QNAP QTS 5.2 Beta HERE (select your NAS first)

Important – Get Your Backups in Order First!

REALLY IMPORTANT – If you want to go ahead and try out the QNAP QTS 5.2 Beta, double and TRIPLE check that your backups are in order. QTS 5.2 is a beta i.e not a finished operating system and needs to be treated as such. Do not use it for hot data or integral data! You can use the video below that covers all the different ways to backup your NAS, as well as created Sync connections with cloud/NAS devices to ensure that you have your 3-2-1 backup system in place!

Automatically restore accidentally disconnected disks

On some newer NAS models, QTS can now be used to automatically restore disks that are accidentally disconnected from the system. Enabling this feature will help speed up RAID group rebuilds and improve overall storage stability, but may slightly affect write performance. You can go to [Control Panel] > [System] > [Hardware Settings] > [General Settings] > [Enable Disk Automatic Recovery] to make this setting.

If you change this setting, connected devices that support this feature will be affected. To confirm whether the NAS or connected device supports this feature, go to “System Status” > “Hardware Information”, select the NAS or device, and then confirm whether “Automatic Disk Recovery” is on the feature list.

Snapshot size calculation can be performed to facilitate space management

It is now possible to calculate how much space is occupied by snapshots taken in a volume or LUN within a specified time range. The generated report includes an adjustable graph to determine how much space would be freed by deleting a specified snapshot. This feature is useful when you are running out of space and need to decide which snapshots to delete.

To use this function, please go to [Storage and Snapshot Manager] > [Storage Space] > [Storage/Snapshot], find the volume or LUN with the snapshot, and click the snapshot icon to open the [Snapshot Administrator] window , then click Calculate Size to open the Calculate Snapshot Size window.

Supports TCG Ruby Self-Encrypting Disk (SED)

In addition to TCG Opal and TCG Enterprise SED, users can now install and use TCG Ruby SED to meet the latest data security requirements of enterprises and data centers.

You can refer to apps installed on other devices and directly choose which ones to install.

You can now browse the list of installed applications on all devices linked to your QNAP ID and select which applications to install. To view apps installed on other devices, go to the App Center, click Install in the upper right corner, and select Apps Installed on All Devices.

If the devices have been registered as organizational devices in myQNAPcloud, you can manage the applications on these devices in [ AMIZ Cloud ] > [Device Applications]. It can be used to centrally manage applications on various devices belonging to the same organization.

Adopts OpenSSL 3.0 for enhanced security and improved performance

We’ve updated OpenSSL to version 3.0, improving cipher compilation performance, enhancing memory protection, and simplifying integration with modern APIs. The system response speed has been optimized and data protection has been strengthened to improve user experience.

Sync to disk immediately when requested by an SMB client

There is now an option to synchronize data to disk immediately upon request from an SMB client. If this feature is enabled, cached data can be written back to a more stable storage space whenever necessary to improve the data integrity of the system. Please note that while disabling this option may improve read and write (I/O) performance, it may also increase the risk of data loss or corruption during a power outage or system failure.

To enable this option, go to Control Panel > Permissions > Shared Folders > Shared Folders, select the shared folder, and edit its properties.

Enhanced support for file thumbnails in File Station

In addition to media files and PDF files, File Station can now display thumbnails of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and EML files (text-only emails). Now you can quickly know the approximate contents of various files even without opening the file. This function is especially useful when you need to find or select specific files from a large number of files; it can greatly improve the efficiency of file management.

You can enable file thumbnail display in [File Station] > [Settings] > [File]. To use this feature, you must first install Qsirch in the App Center.

ClamAV has become independent from the virus protection service

ClamAV is now a standalone application and consumes less memory resources than when it previously operated as a consolidated service. Standalone operation allows for faster scanning and less time required to react to security threats. But please note that to use the virus protection service, you must first install the ClamAV application in the App Center.

Reduced system startup and shutdown time

Improved the speed of starting and stopping applications during system startup, shutdown, and restart. The system is now more responsive when users perform power-related operations.

AD domain users can log in directly without entering the domain name

If you primarily access your NAS through a single AD domain, you can now easily log into your desktop without prefixing your domain name with your username. For example, now you only need to enter “myusername” instead of “mydomain\myusername”.

If multiple AD domains are used, or a domain user account is used to access the NAS in addition to the local account, please still enter the domain name when logging in with a domain user account.

Enhanced security for system administrator accounts

To enhance the overall security of the device and reduce the occurrence of brute force attacks, users are now prompted to create a new device whenever they restore or reset the device to factory defaults using the hardware reset button or the Control Panel Administrator account, or keep the non-default administrator account you are currently signed in to. In addition, the system automatically deactivates or strongly recommends that users deactivate the default system administrator account “admin”.

Direct read and write (I/O) is used in the core mode SMB resident program to improve read/write performance

We use direct read/write (I/O), which improves read/write performance when the core-mode SMB resident is enabled and all disks on the system device are NVMe SSDs.

To enable the core-mode SMB resident for Microsoft Networks, go to Control Panel > Network & File Services > Win/Mac/NFS/WebDAV > Microsoft Networks and make sure it is checked [Enable File Services for Microsoft Networks (SMB)]. Next, click “Advanced Options”, check “Enable Kernel Mode SMB Resident”, and click “Apply”. (Note: If the core-mode SMB resident is enabled, SMB encryption is disabled.)

SMB service has become a standalone application

Microsoft Networking (SMB) is now a standalone application that can be updated separately in the App Center, called SMB Service, and can be accessed remotely via the Microsoft Networking (SMB) and Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocols. Access files and folders on QNAP devices.

To enable the SMB service, you must first go to [Control Panel] > [Network & File Services] > [Win/Mac/NFS/WebDAV] > [Microsoft Network (SMB)] to enable the file service of Microsoft Network ( SMB).

Editable iSCSI target IQN

When or after an iSCSI target is created, the target’sIQN (iSCSI Qualified Name) can now be edited. To edit the IQN of an existing target, you must first disconnect all connections to the target, then go to iSCSI & Fiber Channel > iSCSI Storage, select the target, and click Actions > Edit . The maximum IQN length is 128 characters.

What are the QNAP QTS 5.2 Changes in full?

• Users can now select what apps to install by browsing the list of installed apps on any devices connected to their QNAP IDs. To access this feature, go the the App Center, click the “Install” icon in the top-right corner, and then select “Apps Installed on All Devices”.
• Added a setting on certain device models for enabling disk auto recovery, which automatically reconnects any disks that have been unintentionally disconnected from the system. The setting can be found in Control Panel > System > Hardware > General.
• File Station now supports the multimedia file formats WebM and WebP.
• Detailed event logs and access logs related to share links are now available.
• In File Station, thumbnail display is now available and configurable for Microsoft Office and EML files.
• Users can now configure 802.1X authentication for greater network security. SAMBA
• Added a shared folder setting which allows the system to immediately synchronize data to disks when requested by SMB clients, thereby enhancing data integrity. You can enable the setting on a shared folder by editing its properties in Control Panel > Privilege > Shared Folders > Shared Folder.
• Microsoft Networking (SMB) service is now a standalone application called SMB Service, which can be updated independently. SMB Service enables remote access to your QNAP device files and folders via the Microsoft Networking (SMB) and Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocols. To enable SMB Service, you must enable Microsoft Networking in Control Panel. Snapshot& Snapshots
• You can now calculate the size of snapshots in a volume or LUN that were taken within a specified time period. This feature can help you determine how much space you can free up by deleting a certain number of snapshots. To use this feature, open the “Snapshot Manager” window of a volume or LUN, and then click “Calculate Size”.
• Added support for TCG Ruby SEDs.
• Administrators can now disable 2-step verification for a user in Control Panel > System > Security > 2-Step Verification.
• To enhance device security, when you initiate restoring a device to factory default in Control Panel, you are now prompted to create a new administrator account or to retain the currently logged-in administrator account, and the default administrator account “admin” will be disabled.
• Administrators can now choose to skip a firmware update when the firmware update notification appears upon desktop login.
• Optimized the desktop loading speed.
• To increase device security, after restoring a device to factory default using the hardware reset button, and then logging in with the default administrator account “admin”, you are now prompted to create a new administrator account and to disable the “admin” account.
• Added support for copying and pasting security code (TOTP) credentials when configuring 2-step verification.
• If you access your NAS primarily through a single AD domain only, you can now conveniently log in to the desktop without including the domain name in front of your username. For example, you can now enter “myusername” instead of “mydomain\myusername”. (Note: However, if you use multiple AD domains or use both local and domain user accounts to access your NAS, you should still specify the domain name when logging in with a domain user account.) iSCSI&FC
• You can now edit an iSCSI target’s IQN during or after target creation (maximum 128 characters). To edit an existing target’s IQN, you must first disconnect all connections to the target, and then go to iSCSI & Fibre Channel > iSCSI Storage, select the target, and click Action > Modify.
• Users can now copy all network information (including IPv4, IPv6, and hardware) of any physical adapter or virtual switch to the clipboard with a single button. Open Network & Virtual Switch, go to “Network” > “Interfaces” or “Virtual Switch”, identify an interface, click “More” > “Information”, and then click “Copy”.
• Improved the calculation method and display of system memory information in Resource Monitor for greater clarity.
• Enhanced the Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI) service, which periodically checks the network connection status. You can now enable this setting and configure its checking target no matter whether you choose automatic or manual selection of the system default gateway. To configure NCSI, go to Network & Virtual Switch > Network > Interfaces > Interfaces, and then click System Default Gateway.
• In the Volume Creation Wizard, the setting “Enable snapshot schedule and snapshot retention” is now disabled by default. This ensures that users who do not need snapshots will not unexpectedly encounter insufficient storage space caused by a large number of volume snapshots.
• Improved the synchronization process for read-only SSD cache to optimize data read efficiency and reliability.
• Optimized the RAID group resync speed for NVMe drives.
• Users can now view detailed temperature information about their Seagate EXOS JBOD enclosures in Storage & Snapshots > Storage > Disks/VJBOD > NAS and Enclosure.
• Added support for the newly upgraded QUSBCam (version 3.0.0, previous version known as QUSBCam2).
• The ClamAV antivirus engine is now an independent application, allowing the Antivirus service to consume less memory and spend less time scanning files. Note that in order to use Antivirus, ClamAV must be installed in App Center.
• The system now checks whether a new QNAP Software Terms of Use is available before performing a firmware update. Administrators must agree to the new terms to proceed with the firmware update. SAMBA
• In Samba, Implemented direct I/O in the kernel-mode SMB daemon to enhance read and write performance. System
• Improved the speed of starting and stopping applications during system startup, shutdown, and restart.

Applicable QNAP models that support the QTS 5.2 Beta?

• HS-251+,S2
• QMiroPlus-201W
• Mustang-F100,Mustang-V100,Mustang-200-i7-1T-32G-R10,Mustang-200-i5-1T-32G-R10,Mustang-200-C-8G-R10,Mustang-200
• QBoat Sunny
• QGD-1600P,QGD-1600
• QGD-1602P,QGD-1602
• QGD-3014-16PT
• TS-453S Pro,TS-853S Pro
• TS-216,TS-416
• TS-128A, TS-228A, TS-212P3, TS-130, D1 Rev-B
• TS-932X, TS-832X, TS-332X, TS-532X, TS-932PX, TS-832PX
• TS-432XU-RP,TS-432XU,TS-832XU-RP,TS-832XU,TS-1232XU-RP,TS-1232XU,TS-432PXU,TS-432PXU-RP,TS-832PXU,TS-832PXU-RP, TS-1232PXU,TS-1232PXU-RP
• TS-133, TS-233, TS-433, D4 Rev-C, TS-216G
• TS-1635AX
• TS-435XeU
• TS-251, TS-451, TS-651, TS-851, TS-451S, TS-251+, TS-451+, TS-351, D2 Pro Rev-B, D4 Pro Rev-B
• TS-251A,TS-451A,D2 Pro,D4 Pro
• TS-251B
• TS-451DeU,TS-453DU,TS-453DU-RP,TS-853DU-RP,TS-1253DU-RP
• TS-451U
• TS-253 Pro, TS-453 Pro, TS-653 Pro, TS-853 Pro, TS-453mini, IS-453S
• TS-453Bmini,TS-253B,TS-453B,TS-653B,TS-453BT3,TS-253Be,TS-453Be
• TS-853BU,TS-853BU-RP,TS-1253BU,TS-1253BU-RP,TS-453BU,TS-453BU-RP
• HS-453DX, TBS-453DX, TS-251D, TS-253D, TS-653D, TS-453D, TS-451D, TS-453Dmini, TS-451D2
• TBS-453A, TS-253A, TS-453A, TS-653A, TS-853A, D6 Pro, D8 Pro
• TS-453U, TS-853U, TS-1253U, TS-453U-RP, TS-853U-RP, TS-1253U-RP, R4
• TVS-463,TVS-663,TVS-863,TVS-863+,TS-563,TS-963X,TS-963N
• TS-463U,TS-463U-RP,TS-863U,TS-863U-RP,TS-1263U,TS-1263U-RP,TS-463XU,TS-463XU-RP,TS-863XU,TS-863XU-RP, TS-1263XU,TS-1263XU-RP
• TS-564,HS-264,TBS-464,TS-262C,TS-462C,TS-264C,TS-464C,TS-364,TS-464,TS-664,TS-262,TS-462,TS- 264,TS-464C2
• TS-464U,TS-464U-RP,TS-1264U-RP,TS-464eU,TS-864eU,TS-864eU-RP
• TVS-471,TVS-671,TVS-871,TVS-871T
• TVS-871U-RP,TVS-1271U-RP,TVS-471U-RP,TVS-471U,R8
• TVS-672N,TVS-872N,TVS-872X,TVS-672X,TVS-472X,TVS-472XT,TVS-672XT,TVS-872XT
• TVS-872XU,TVS-872XU-RP,TVS-1272XU-RP,TVS-1672XU-RP,TVS-2472XU-RP,TVS-972XU,TVS-972XU-RP
• TVS-473,TVS-673,TVS-873,TVS-473e,TVS-673e,TVS-873e
• TS-h973AX,TS-473A,TS-673A,TS-873A
• TS-873AU,TS-873AU-RP,TS-1273AU-RP,TS-1673AU-RP,TS-873AeU,TS-873AeU-RP
• TS-873U, TS-1273U, TS-1673U, TS-873U-RP, TS-1273U-RP, TS-1673U-RP
• TVS-675
• TVS-h875U,TVS-h875U-RP,TVS-h1275U-RP,TVS-h1675U-RP
• TS-1277, TS-877, TS-677, TS-1677X
• TS-877XU,TS-877XU-RP,TS-1277XU-RP,TS-1677XU-RP,TS-2477XU-RP,TS-977XU-RP,TS-977XU,TS-h1277XU-RP,TS-h977XU-RP, TS-h1677XU-RP,TS-h2477XU-RP
• TS-EC880 Pro,TS-EC1080 Pro,TVS-EC880,TVS-EC1080,TVS-EC1080+
• TS-EC880U, TS-EC1280U, TS-EC1680U, TS-EC2480U R2, TVS-EC1280U-SAS-RP R2, TVS-EC1580MU-SAS-RP R2, TVS-EC1680U-SAS-RP R2, TVS-EC2480U-SAS- RP R2,TS-EC2480U,TS-EC880U R2,TS-EC1280U R2,TS-EC1680U R2,TVS-EC1280U-SAS-RP,TVS-EC1580MU-SAS-RP,TVS-EC1680U-SAS-RP,TVS-EC2480U- SAS-RP,R12,R16,R24
• TVS-882T,TVS-1282T,TVS-682,TVS-882,TVS-1282,TVS-682T,TVS-1282T3,TVS-882BR,TVS-882BRT3
• TVS-882ST,TVS-882ST3
• TVS-1582TU
• TS-883XU, TS-883XU-RP, TS-1283XU-RP, TS-1683XU-RP, TS-983XU, TS-983XU-RP, TS-2483XU-RP, TS-h1283XU-RP, TS-h2483XU-RP, TS-h1683XU-RP
• TS-1685,TS-h886,TS-h686
• TES-3085U,TES-1885U,TS-1886XU-RP,TS-h1886XU-RP,TS-h1886XU-RP R2
• TS-2888X
• TS-h3088XU-RP
• TDS-16489U
• TS-h2490FU,TS-h1090FU
• TS-328,TS-428,TS-230,D2 Rev-B
• TS-551
• TS-473,TS-673,TS-873
• TVS-951X,TVS-951N
• GM-1000,TNS-h1083X,TNS-h1083X (A Side),TNS-h1083X (B Side)
• TS-i410X, TS-410E
• TS-253E,TS-453E
• TS-h1290FX
• TS-h987XU-RP,TS-h1887XU-RP,TS-h2287XU-RP,TS-h3087XU-RP
• TVS-h474,TVS-h674,TVS-h874,TVS-h874X,TVS-h674T,TVS-h874T
• TDS-h2489FU
• TS-1655, TS-855X
• TS-855eU, TS-855eU-RP
• TS-466C
• TS-AI642
• TBS-h574TX
• TS-h1277AXU-RP, TS-h1677AXU-RP, TS-h3077AFU

Notes

Due to compatibility issues, please update your QVR Face Insight, QVR Face Link, or QVR Face Tiger to version 1.7.1 or later before updating QTS to version 5.2.0.

– Due to compatibility issues, QNAP NetBak Replicator is currently unable to establish an SFTP connection to a NAS running QTS 5.2.0.

 

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Synology DS224+ vs QNAP TS-262 NAS – Which is Better?

Isn’t it great when any facet of the tech industry gives birth to competition! In the early days of any new form of technology, the relative scarcity and newness of anything result in very few options for buyers to get the best value or competitive experience for their money. However, it doesn’t take long before competition emerges, innovation flourishes, and ultimately any different form of new tech becomes a more fleshed-out choice for the buyer. The same has certainly happened in the world of network-attached storage (NAS), and although there are several different brands available in NAS, the two biggest names are quite comfortable: Synology and QNAP. For buyers looking at a compact, fully-featured NAS solution, two of the very best options in 2024 are the Synology DS224+ and the QNAP TS-262. Both of these solutions are targeted at home users who want to be able to do a little bit of everything and although they do have a decent amount of small business potential, they have slightly different attitudes towards what you can get for your money. Although it could be very easy to describe this comparison as hardware versus software, the reality is a little bit more nuanced. But before we go ahead and compare these two current-generation NAS solutions, we need to also highlight what both of these systems have in common. Regardless of whether you choose the DS224+ or TS-262 NAS drive, you are guaranteed the following:

• Both units feature an Intel Celeron processor for a good price vs hardware balance
• Both can Stream and Transcode on the fly (so, live) 1080p HD or 4K media, with superior performance natively and mid-range performance in Plex, as well as both arriving with integrated graphics, so more aggressive graphical manipulation (encode/decode/conversion) is done much more efficiently
• Both the Synology DS224+ and TS-262 NAS support AI-supported photo and ‘thing’ recognition supported to a very high degree from the free branded software included
• For Business users who currently enjoy the use of Google Workspace or Microsoft/Office 365, both of these NAS provide excellent means to backup your mass cloud accounts (as well as natively sync, dupe and configure rules on the fly)
• Both the TS-262 NAS and DS224+ NAS support snapshots, for more incremental and version-protecting failsafe in efforts to protect you from Malware and Ransomware attacks, by allowing multi-versioning storage history to browse through and restore
• Both units are DLNA certified so can be accessed, browsed and played from by popular DLNA devices, such as Amazon Firestick, Alexa, Google Home, Chromecast, DS224+ TV, Bose, Sonos, iPads, etc, as well as connectivity between these platforms with IFTTT
• Both are multi-bay, RAID enabled devices NAS devices that support JBOD, RAID 0 and RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6 and RAID 10 (as well as Synology Hybrid RAID too for their Plus series range), though support of storage media on each device does differ significantly in places

• Both devices run on their own proprietary operating system that can be accessed remotely or locally. These include regular updates to the firmware, security patches, applications and more. Ranging from multimedia, home and multi-tiered backup applications, to more business-end tools such as Surveillance software, Virtual Machine deployment and business-class backup and synchronization tools.
• Both the TS-262 and DS224+ use and can be accessed equally by a multitude of mobile applications such as DS File, DS Video, Moments, DS Photo, DSCam and DS Music that are created by and constantly improved by Synology. As well as QFile, QMusic, QuMagie and QManager from QNAP for iOS and Android.
• Both NAS are completely compatible with Windows, Android and Mac systems, as well as acting as a bring between software platforms to share and distribute files for migration and file sync (Synology Drive and QNAP QSync)
• Both units can be used as mail and/or business servers, providing excellent 3rd party CRM and first-party CMS systems. There is the Synology collaboration Suite of applications Chat, Drive, Mail, Calendar, Office and Active Backup Suite. Whereas on QNAP there is the QMail, Hybrid Backup Sync 3, Virtualization station and BoXafe tools
• Both systems support the NVR use with QVR Pro and Surveillance Station applications, support numerous cameras and arrive with at least 2 camera licenses with your purchase (8 Camera Licenses with the QNAP, 2 with the Synology)

Both systems are fully featured examples of what each brand can offer on their own individual server platform. However, you want to know what is different about them and which one best deserves your data!

Synology DS224+ vs QNAP TS-262 NAS – Price and Value

Normally, in these comparisons, I would very quickly highlight that when comparing Synology and QNAP, the latter would be the more affordable choice. It has kind of been that way for a while, but things changed towards the end of 2022 when Synology revamped and reorganized their portfolio. In brief, Synology changed a number of the positions of their solutions while simultaneously removing a few different tiers in a portfolio to change which solutions were covering home, small business, medium business, and large-scale deployments. This meant that some systems had their hardware and their price point realigned up or down to better suit the overall portfolio and choice for buyers, and the result is that the DS224+ surprisingly manages to be the lower price of these two very similar systems in some (not all) locations. The DS224+ arrives at around $350 (give or take currency exchange, tax, and shipping), whereas the TS-262 arrives much closer to the $400 mark and in some regions actually crosses this a little higher too. Part of this raised price on the QNAP TS-262 is because of a change in memory implementation (arriving as a fixed 4GB memory and later changing to 2 SODIMM slots and more flexibility). More affordable examples of the TS-262 are available online (couple below), but typically the price is going to be a pinch higher.

Neither of these prices includes storage media and, depending on the capacity of the drives you are considering in either of these two main NAS systems, that is going to take its toll on your budget. So if the price tag of the system you are buying carries a lot of weight in your decision, the Synology DS224+ is probably going to be a better cost choice for you. However, we do have to factor in that not only is the price difference between these two devices comparatively small in the grand scheme of things, but we also have to think about what we get for our money and ultimately ‘value’! In this context, a NAS can be judged on its value in two very distinct ways: the hardware that you are getting for your money and the inclusive software the system arrives with, and it is in this way that these two NAS systems are remarkably different in terms of their priorities.

Synology DS224+ vs QNAP TS-262 NAS – Hardware and Connections

Very few of my comparisons have displayed two NAS systems that, although at a casual glance are very similar, are so wildly different in the finer details and scalability than these two NAS devices. The Synology DS224+ system is easily the less hardware-rich of the two, heavily relying upon a hardware architecture that feels somewhat dated in comparison to the QNAP TS-262. In Synology’s defense, they have had a lot of time experimenting and testing their software with this particular CPU (the Intel J4125 quad-core Intel Celeron) and clearly know how to make the most out of it within their software in terms of efficiency and capability. Nevertheless, for PC builders, those who understand how hardware innovates over time, and those who are looking for the best value for money in their kit, this Synology CPU choice is pretty underwhelming. Thanks to that portfolio change I mentioned earlier by Synology, the hardware you find in this home user multimedia NAS is actually near enough identical to the 2020 generation prosumer and fully-featured TIA. That would be pretty good if it wasn’t for the fact that the CPU was released in 2019 and that despite this system’s similarity to the 2020 prosumer tier, some scalability options and upgrade options are not available here. The QNAP, by comparison, manages to scale up over the Synology in so many different ways, with a couple of slightly peculiar backsteps along the way. First, let’s look at the arrangement of that hardware side by side:

Synology DS224+ vs QNAP S-262 NAS Hardware Comparison
Synology NAS
Amazon Price:	$305 (09/08/23 – Check Amazon)	$332 (09/08/23 – Check Amazon)
Processor model	Intel Celeron N5105	Intel Celeron J4125 (2019 Gen)
processor architecture	64-bit	64-bit
processor clock	2-core 2.0 (base frequency) / 2.9 (burst frequency) GHz	4-core 2.0 (base frequency) / 2.7 (burst frequency) GHz
Integrated Graphics	Yes (450-800Mhz)	Yes (250-750Mhz)
Hardware encryption engine (AES-NI)	Yes	Yes
system memory	4GB DDR4 non-ECC	2 GB DDR4 non-ECC
Pre-installed memory modules	Yes, Fixed	Yes, Initial 2GB Fixed
Total number of memory slots	0	1
Maximum memory capacity	4GB	6 GB (2 GB + 4 GB)
The maximum number of disk slots for an expansion unit	2x USB 3.2 (Supports 2/4/8 Bay Expansions)	N/A
M.2 drive bay	Yes, x1 (Gen 3×1)	N/A
Compatible Disk Type	3.5″ SATA HDD 2.5″ SATA SSD 2280 M.2 NVMe	3.5″ SATA HDD 2.5″ SATA SSD
Disk hot-plug support*	Yes	Yes

The big hurdle for a lot of users is clearly going to be that CPU choice. Side by side, the quad-core CPU inside the Synology is going to mean more cores for the system to take advantage of over the dual-core inside the QNAP. Potentially, both CPUs feature integrated graphics, which also means that for processes such as transcoding, handling of graphical data, and simple offline conversions, they are going to use fewer system resources to get the job done. But when we take a closer look, we can see that there is a lot more to it. For a start, the N4505 jewel court CPU inside the QNAP is a much newer generation processor and features a slightly higher clock speed too. Despite half the available core numbers, that is going to result in the CPU being noticeably more efficient thanks to modern innovation by Intel in newer refreshes of their processors. The integrated graphics on the N405 CPU are of a higher birth speed, and although the QNAP CPU will lose out on the sheer breadth of processing capabilities being dual-core rather than quad-core, in a home user environment, and unless you are going to push the system hard, you aren’t really going to feel it.

Then there is the memory inside the two NAS systems and a very distinct difference in how either brand deploys their systems. The Synology system arrives with less default memory at 2GB versus 4GB on the QNAP. However, the Synology features an upgradable Sodimm memory slot that allows you to add a further 4GB of memory. The QNAP, on the other hand, features 4GB by default, but that 4GB is soldered internally for reasons of efficiency and cost (in light of continued memory shortages over the last 2 years and rising NAND flash costs), which results in the TS-262 NAS not allowing memory upgrades further. Therefore, you are getting more RAM on the QNAP on day one, but better long-term scalability by around 50% on the Synology. The fact that both systems feature soldered memory by default is super annoying, particularly when you know both of the CPUs can support more memory officially according to Intel, of 8 GB and 16 GB respectively.

From this point, however, in terms of hardware, QNAP absolutely steals the show moving forward! In terms of ports, connectivity, and upgrade options, Synology has clearly taken a very rigid stance on the DS224+ system, and this results in an incredibly low glass ceiling in comparison to the TS-262 NAS and the sheer wealth of ways to upgrade its hardware throughout the system’s lifetime. The most obvious example is in network connectivity and one that more modern network equipment is going to benefit most! The Synology DS224+ arrives with two Ethernet ports, both gigabit in architecture. Synology has come under fairly regular criticism for sticking quite rigidly with 1Gb network ports on the bulk of their systems, only providing improved gigabit connections or 10G on their XS or enterprise-grade systems by default. Although these two Ethernet ports support bonding options such as link aggregation, port trunking, and the more modern and easy-to-set-up SMB multi-channel via Windows, there are going to be a lot of users that are disappointed with gigabit network port when even domestic-class hard drives these days can comfortably provide 160 to 200 megabytes per second performance, and increasingly affordable SATA SSDs double or triple that number. Therefore, an external connection that immediately throttles performance down to 109 megabytes per second per port is going to be disappointing. This is further exacerbated by the fact that there is no means to upgrade the network connectivity on the Synology NAS beyond 1G, with no PCIe upgrade slot or any compatibility or support officially for 2.5G or 5G adapters which are becoming increasingly affordable.

The QNAP TS-262, on the other hand, is a completely different story! Arriving with a single Ethernet port, you may think things have started poorly, but this Ethernet port is 2.5 GB Ethernet (2.5 times that of the Synology) and whether you are running a one gig architecture and/or thinking of upgrading your network equipment, this is going to allow you to have higher performance via the single port than both of the ports on the Synology combined. However, this is further improved when you discover that the QNAP now also supports network adapters as I alluded to earlier, meaning that you can add a $20 2.5G USB upgrade and even a $50 5G upgrade to the system to further upgrade network connectivity and fully capitalize on the increased performance afforded to you via your media inside the system in RAID 0 or RAID 1. In fact, these USB ports get even better when you find out that, unlike the 5GB. USB 3 Gen 1 ports in the Synology, the QNAP features 10G USB 3 Gen 2 ports. These USB ports support vastly more peripheral and accessory devices on the TS-262 than they do on the DS224+, ranging from network upgrades, wireless upgrades, office peripherals, and assignment towards virtual machines for either more utilization. But more importantly, these USB ports support storage expansions from QNAP that allow you to add a further two, four, eight, and sixteen bay expansions (in conjunction with the PCIe slot), which means that you are not limited in the system’s lifetime to just those two bays of storage. Synology, on the other hand, has no expansion support for the DS224+. They do have a couple of expansion devices for desktop use in their portfolio, but they are connected via eSATA and have not added this connection to their DS224+ NAS.

Continuing down the rabbit hole of expansion and scalability, there is the fact that the QNAP NAS has a PCIe upgrade slot. It cannot be understated just how important and useful a lot of users are going to find this upgrade slot; even entry-level home users are going to feel the benefits here. Unsurprisingly, there is no PCIe upgrade slot on the Synology DS224+, but why is it such a big deal that these NAS devices would feature one? Well, much like the previous point I made about default network connectivity on the DS224+ and TS-262, having a PCIe upgrade slot means that you can add even greater network connectivity such as 10 GbE via a one or two-port card! There is also support for SSD storage upgrade cards that allow you to add two more M.2 NVMe SSDs and turn this 2-bay NAS into a 4-bay NAS! Or you can go ahead and get combo cards that have both built into a single card that occupies one slot and gives you a massive storage upgrade and a massive external bandwidth upgrade! There is even support for Wi-Fi 6 upgrade cards, USB port upgrade cards, and a long-ranging list of third-party PCIe cards that can be installed inside this system to improve performance inside and outside! Because of the CPU choice here and efforts to keep things affordable on systems on the scale of the DS224+ and TS-262, the PCIe architecture of this upgrade slot is gen 3 x 2, which does limit the internal bandwidth to 2000 megabytes per second, but nevertheless, having the option of this upgrade on the TS-262 alongside those network USB upgrade choices, when the DS224+ provides neither, is definitely something worthy of note.

However, the upgrades on the QNAP TS-262 do not stop there with this system. Also arriving by default with two times M.2 NVMe SSD base as well. That’s right; you don’t even need to wait to upgrade with a PCIe card, and you can go ahead and utilize M.2 SSDs for caching or as raw storage pools straight away on day one, thanks to the system featuring these by default. Remember earlier when I mentioned that the Synology DS224+ is using hardware architecture in this home-tier solution that three years ago was in the prosumer tier, about certain hardware limiting choices have been made? One of those was the two M.2 NVMe SSD base that previous generations of this device had featured and are notably absent on the Synology DS224+. It’s a real shame that Synology opted to not feature these in this architecture, despite clearly having enough resources here to support it. This is quite a clear choice by the brand to place the system in a very specific area of their portfolio so it does not overlap the next tier, the Synology DS723+.

Finally, there is the fact that the QNAP TS-262, like a number of other different NAS solutions in their portfolio that feature integrated graphics, also arrives with visual output, in this case, an HDMI 2.0 4K 60 frames per second port. This visual output, combined with two dedicated USB 2.0 ports that can be used for low priority peripherals alongside this if you choose, allows you to run a completely parallel (not mirrored!) Software GUI that is dedicated to the HDMI out, called HD station. Well, it should be highlighted that QNAP does not update this service and its applications anywhere near as frequently as it does the other apps in the brand’s portfolio. There is still a good range of services that can be used here that allow you to run a standalone surveillance system with KVM, a direct multimedia center that has direct control via an infrared remote control/Wi-Fi remote via mobile/USB keyboard and mouse, the ability to run a standalone PC via this HDMI, while the system also continues to run the QNAP NAS OS and apps over the network as usual, and a whole bunch of other things. Synology has always been pretty clear about their integration of HDMI out on their systems, largely ignoring it for any system other than a handful of their surveillance systems. This is by no means a killer feature for most users, and I know that the percentage of QNAP NAS owners that actually utilize the HDMI is surprisingly small. But nevertheless, this is just another example of the sheer scope of hardware that has been packed into the QNAP TS-262.

Overall, it should come as absolutely no surprise that in terms of hardware, the QNAP TS-262 absolutely smashes it! Even if the base-level hardware of the Synology had been a more modern generation CPU choice (and we have to at least give them the benefit of the doubt that the system does provide more scalability in terms of memory and is a quad-core CPU too!), the overall standard and modern architecture of the QNAP TS-262 is just impossible to ignore, and you are getting frankly insane value for money in terms of hardware on the TS-262, then you do on the slightly older feeling DS224+ by comparison. However, we can’t just focus on the hardware, as having the best hardware in the world won’t mean anything if you can’t utilize it properly. So let’s start talking about the software that is included with both of these NAS systems to see if this is where Synology can shine.

Synology DS224+ vs QNAP TS-262 NAS – Software and Services

Spoiler alert, Synology is going to win this! If you have been spending even a moderate amount of time looking at either of these brands, you’ll know that where QNAP seemingly hit the accelerator in the hardware department, Synology absolutely dominates in terms of the software! QNAP arrives with QTS 5.1, the latest iteration of their software, and although it does lack some of the smoothness and intuitive nature of the Synology platform (DSM 7.2), it is still a very well-put-together and heavily-featured platform. Here is how they compare:

	QNAP QTS 5.1	Synology DSM 7.2
Browser Support	Supports all Browsers	Supports all Browsers
	Browser File Management	Browser File Management
	Photo/Music/Video Tools	Photo/Music/Video Tools
	Multimedia Console	Synology Drive
	AI Photo Recognition	AI Photo Recognition
	Edge m.2 Coral TPU Support
Storage Services
	SED Drive Support	SED Drive Support
	QTier	Synology Hybrid RAID
	Hybrid Mount	Hybrid Share
	ISCSI Target/LUN	ISCSI Target/LUN
	vJBOD	Volume Encryption
	Snapshots	Snapshots
	SSD Cache (Read/Write/Both)	SSD Cache (Read/Write/Both)
	Cloud Sync / QSync	Cloud Sync
	Drive Failure Predcition & Migration	Fast RAID Rebuild
	RAID Resync control	RAID Resync control
	Secure Erase	Acrtive Backup Suite
	Lots of Expansions (TR/TL)	Hyper Backup
	HBS 3	Synology CMS
	Qfiling and Qsirch	Write Once Read Many
Business Applications
	QVR Pro – 8 Camera Licenses (+USB Camera Support)	Surveillance Station – 2 Camera Licenses
	Virtualization Station	Virtual Machine Manager
	Ubuntu Linux Station 18/20	Docker Support
	Container Station	Active Backup 365 & Workspace
	Hypervisor Protector	Synology Office, Chat, Calendar
	QMailAgent	Synology Mail / MailPlus
	HD Station	Synology C2 and Services
	BoXafe
	Security Councillor	Security Councillor
	Malware Remover	Synology VPN Plus
	McAfee Anti-Virus Scanning	Log and Notification Center
	QVPN	Auto Blocking on SSH, Telnet etc
	Log and Notification Center	256 bit Encryption
	Auto Blocking on SSH, Telnet etc	2 Step Authentication
	256 bit Encryption	Firewall App
	2 Step Authentication	Access Protection and Allow/Deny list
	Firewall App	Synology Secure SignIn
	Access Protection and Allow/Deny list	Synology C2 Password

The TS-262 also supports QNAP’s QTier service, a unique alternative to utilizing faster SSDs as storage pools or for caching. With Q Tier, you can combine your available slower hard drive storage media and faster SSD media into a single storage pool. Upon doing so, over time the system will learn what are the most frequently accessed files, ranging from small metadata and OS files all the way up to larger block data, which is then moved (not copied, as found with caching in smaller files) to the faster storage area. Then over time, as you and your other users use the TS-262, those more frequently accessed files will be retrieved from the faster SSD and create a much more responsive and faster user experience. Combine that with the improvements in the base level, network bandwidth on day one, or via upgrade, and the benefits of QTier in a mixed media storage device are very useful indeed.

We also have to acknowledge that one of these two brands suffered something of a PR disaster back in 2021/2022 when QNAP was one of the brands that was targeted by the Deadbolt ransomware group (alongside Asustor and Terramaster), resulting in more than 3,000 successfully hit devices who suffered targeted data encryption in small or whole system storage extents. The impact of this, combined with QNAP’s handling of the attack and their response to semi-force updates on systems remotely, resulted in a lot of lost face by many in this brand, and they will be carrying the stigma of this event for quite a few years yet. In comparison, Synology, though targeted by the group, were not successfully attacked, and at the time of writing, it appears that no Synology NAS user was ever hit by Deadbolt ransomware. In fact, aside from the Synolocker attack on Synology NAS systems over a decade ago, there has not been any widespread reported successful attack on their platform that comes even slightly close to the Deadbolt attack on QNAP.

To put this into a little bit of perspective, all network-attached storage devices received regular security updates for years, long beyond the hardware warranty of any singular NAS hardware. This is because software development can only ever really be one step ahead of the hackers. A brand releases software, hackers begin to try to find vulnerabilities, and when successful, the software brand releases a firmware update, and the cycle begins again. The majority of software these days is actually built on just a handful of different software architectures such as Linux, which in turn go through the same cycle of update>attack>update as any other software. However, when THEY roll out an update, the software that is built on them needs to customize that firmware update on their platforms, which takes time! Both of these brands, alongside every other reputable software brand that has even a hint of internet/remote access, has their security advisory pages that you can find online, which will detail the number of vulnerabilities that have been highlighted and the progress of their resolution. So, no brand will ever be considered 100% bulletproof from security vulnerabilities, as any piece of software might have a vulnerability that has just simply not been found yet, but there is simply no denying that between these two brands when it comes to security and how they have managed this subject, Synology seemingly has the edge.

If you are still on the fence about whether you should buy the Synology DS224+ or QNAP TS-262, and you intend to spend a decent amount of time with their respective software, then I would strongly recommend that you head to one of the two demo pages below. Both of these allow you to test out and experience the respective NAS software from each of these brands and will give you a good understanding of how each one works, how intuitive or user-friendly they are, and whether either software will provide you the level of reliability, stability, or customization that you are going to need before you purchase either the DS224+ or TS-262 NAS.

Synology Diskstation Manager 7.2 Online Demo – HERE

QNAP QTS 5.1 Online Demo – HERE

Ultimately, much like previously when QNAP was holding court and comfortably winning the hardware comparison of these two NAS devices, in the case of software, Synology absolutely smashes it. It’s not a complete flawless victory, as the QNAP QTS platform does provide a wide range of first-party services, much more customizable and adaptable services, and a wide range of third-party support compared with Synology DSM. But in terms of UX design, smoothness of GUI, long-term security management, and first-party ecosystem services, the Synology DSM platform on the DS224+ comfortably places it ahead. This is as you would expect from a brand that, when purchasing one of their solutions, places the emphasis on the software more than anything else. You can really feel the investment there! If you are in need of further comparison, you can check out my reviews on both DSM and QTS below in the software reviews over on YouTube:

QNAP QTS 5.1 Before You Buy (YouTube)	Synology DSM 7.2 Before You Buy (YouTube)

Synology DS224+ vs QNAP TS-262 NAS – Verdict and Conclusion

It would be so, so easy to simply label this a case of hardware versus software, and indeed there is a ring of truth to that when you look at just how much is packed in with both the DS224+ and TS-262 in terms of priorities from either brand. However, the reality is a little bit more nuanced, as it really will come down to both what the user needs and their level of experience. Though the software on the DS224+ towers over the hardware when you purchase the device, it also needs to be stated that good software can make the most of weaker hardware, and having a system that requires a lower skill level in order to make the most out of it, for some, is going to be worth its waiting gold! You need to think of the Synology NAS systems as something of a complete ecosystem rather than just a data storage solution, providing more applications to replace those third-party alternatives that may exist in your network and create a truly synchronized storage networking communication environment! However, all of that arrives with limitations, with a lower glass ceiling and often with a feeling that the system is being held back intentionally in efforts to maintain that balance in the case of the DS224+. The TS-262, by comparison, gives you more hardware, more bandwidth, greater opportunities to upgrade and scale out your storage, and does so with a software platform that takes off the training wheels. This can lead to inconsistencies, this can lead to a higher learning curve, and ultimately leads to an experience where you may have to spend more time getting the system to wrap around your existing workflow rather than the other way around. This is where the TS-262 excels, as it tries to give you the control to do things your way, but may also hit the odd hurdle when it’s trying to do and be too many things to too many people. If you are looking for a streamlined experience that will hold your hand the whole way, go for the Synology DS224+! If you are looking to take the reins of your hardware, get a system to work the way YOU want it to, and have more opportunities to scale up your network storage in many directions, go for the QNAP TS-262. Both systems excel in what they’re trying to do at this price point, and as long as you know what you want from this system in advance, they will fulfill those needs appropriately!

NAS
Amazon Price:	QNAP TS-262 NAS $305 (21/04/24 – Check Amazon)	Synology DS224+ NAS $335 (21/04/24 – Check Amazon)

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE