Bilan IT Partners 2024
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If you’re considering a NAS server for your home or business, selecting the appropriate hard drive is crucial. Just as each utensil in a cutlery set serves a unique purpose, NAS drives are designed for specific scenarios. Using unsuitable drive media in your NAS can significantly affect its performance and efficiency. In the past years, hard drive manufacturers have developed server-tailored hard drives (including SSDs) that cater to the unique demands of NAS systems. These drives are designed for sporadic access patterns, continuous operation (24×7), quick read/write cycles, and enhanced durability required in NAS environments.
As of late 2023, the market has seen an evolution in storage capacity, with commercial hard drives reaching up to 22TB and data centers testing drives between 24-30TB. This increase in capacity reflects the growing data storage demands in both personal and professional settings. However, the abundance of options, with more than fifteen top-tier NAS and Data Center class drives available, can make the selection process overwhelming. In this guide, I aim to simplify this process. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of eight different NAS/Server architectures along with the most suitable hard drive options for each, updated to reflect the latest advancements in technology and market trends as of 2023/2024.
Note – Use our Best Price Per TB Calculator tool HERE in order to get the best value storage for your needs. It includes filters for NAS size, redundancy, budget and capacity needs too!
Recommended NAS Hard Drives
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Before selecting the right NAS hard drive, it’s essential to grasp some key terms in the data storage industry. This knowledge ensures that the drive you choose meets your requirements to the highest standard. Here are some crucial terms you need to know, updated for 2023/2024, to decode the marketing jargon and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each drive:
RAID – Standing for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, RAID is a method of using multiple NAS HDDs simultaneously to enhance capacity, speed, and, most importantly, data safety. Unlike backups, RAID 0 combines total storage for high performance but lacks a safety net if a drive fails. RAID 1 cuts your total storage in half but provides a one-drive safety net. RAID 5 and RAID 6 offer one or two disk safety nets, respectively, and support much larger storage arrays. Other RAID levels exist, but these are the most widely used.
SATA – Despite it’s age, SATA still remains the most popular connection of HDDs in 2023/2024 (despite the rise of M.2 NVMe SSD use in NAS). SATA allows up to 6 Gigabits per second throughput. However, mechanical HDDs rarely exceeded 280MB/s. By 2023/2024, while SATA remains prevalent, advancements in connections like SAS, NVMe, and U.2, particularly in SSDs, have become more significant in enterprise settings.
Saturation – This term refers to the amount of data flowing through an interface/bandwidth. For instance, a SATA HDD might allow up to 600MB/s, but most NAS HDDs achieve around 180-280MB/s due to their mechanical design. Therefore, the saturation for a single drive is lower, at 180/280MB/s.
Platters – These are the disks inside the HDD that store data. Higher capacity drives feature more platters. Although compression techniques can increase space, there’s a limit to their effectiveness.
Rotation Speed – This indicates how fast the platters spin, enabling the arm/actuator to locate and write data magnetically.
Cache – This memory area on the NAS hard drive compiles and distributes data being processed by the disk. Larger capacity NAS hard drives typically have a larger cache, as do drives using Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR), which requires more handling space due to its unique writing style.
Terabytes Written (TBW), AKA ‘Workload Rating’– A metric often given annually, TBW indicates the amount of data a NAS Hard Drive can handle in a year while maintaining performance. This figure considers the potential for repeatedly filling and emptying the drive, common in data centers or tiered backups. Standard NAS hard drives usually have a TBW of around 180TBW, Pro series around 300TBW, and Enterprise-class HDDs 550TBW or more. This is often referred to as the workload rating.
Magnetic Recording – This refers to how data is stored on the platters. As of 2023/2024, there are several prevalent types: SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording), PMR/CMR (Perpendicular/Conventional Magnetic Recording), EAMR (Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording), and HAMR (Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording). Each type has its pros and cons, but PMR/CMR remains the most popular for NAS hard drives.
Warranty Length – This is the period during which the manufacturer will repair or replace a NAS hard drive if it fails due to manufacturing issues. Warranties typically range from 3 to 5 years.
These terms are essential for choosing the best NAS hard drive for your system in the context of 2023/2024. Next, we’ll examine different NAS hardware environments and recommend the best NAS hard drive for each.
1-12TB, 5900-7200RPM, 64-256MB Cache, 180TBW, 3yr Warranty, Rescue Data Recovery Services Included $50-229
For those who are looking at a NAS server for business, or are home users who have made the enterprising move into the Prosumer bracket, then a 6-Bay or 8-Bay desktop NAS solution will become incredibly attractive. At this storage tier, we find a number of very cool and incredibly useful features become more widely available. For a start, we find the utility of RAID 6 (the 2 disk safety net configuration) much more palatable, as it makes less of a dent on our total available storage. Additionally, at this storage size, we start to see much more powerful processors, such as the Intel Core (i3, i5, etc) series arrive, AMD Ryzen and even Xeons. This combined with huge expandability of both memory internally and storage externally and generally with 10Gbe included as standard or available as an upgrade. So, at this scale of NAS storage, the hard drive choice becomes more important, as you do not want to create an internal bottleneck. For this tier of storage, I recommend the Seagate Ironwolf range of NAS drives. They arrive with a large number of 7200RM drives (with 5400RPM in the smaller capacities), a 180 terabytes per year guaranteed workload and the Seagate Rescue service. For those that are not aware, the Seagate Rescue+ package is a data recovery service that is included with your Ironwolf and Ironwolf Pro drives that, alongside your 3 year warranty, includes an additional 3 years of data recovery services.
What that means is that if your drive fails through no fault of your own within reason (so, no, not smashing it with a hammer), you can send the drive off to the Seagate recovery labs and they will try to get that data back. From accidental deletion, all the way through to mechanical and forensic level recovery, this is an impressive inclusion! You should still factor other safety nets in your architecture (backups, UPS, RAID, etc) but given the cost of data recovery services (costing anything from hundreds to thousands of pounds), this is a very, VERY useful inclusion when you need it. Additionally, Seagate Ironwolf hard drives sill manage to be the most affordable NAS drives on the market compared with their competitors, even when including the Rescue recovery included. They are also the only 3rd party NAS hard drive brand that has a tool to monitor drive health available on practically ALL the NAS software GUIs in the market, in Seagate Ironwolf Health Management.
+ Excellent Price Point
+ Rescue Data Recovery Services
+ Seagate Ironwolf Health Management
+ ONLY CMR/PMR Drives in their NAS Range
– Max Drive Capacity is 12TB (Pro Series go up to 22TB)
– Noisier General Operation than WD Red Drives
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
Seagate IronWolf, 8TB ST8000VN002 £185 Amazon USA £185 [LINK] Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD Amazon USA $139.99 [LINK] QNAP TS-664-4G/48TB 6 Bay Desktop NAS Unit with Seagate IronWolf Drives Amazon UK 85.45 OFF (WAS 1137) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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1-14TB, 5400/7200RPM (higher Caps = 7200RPM), 64-256MB Cache, 180TBW, 3yr Warranty, WD Red 1-6TB (SMR), WD Red Plus 1-14TB (CMR) $69-379
If you are looking to populate a compact, modestly powered, desktop NAS system (so a 1-Bay or 2-Bay NAS drive), then you have quite a large range of Hard Drives on offer. It is worth highlighting though that larger and more enterprise drives (i.e faster and longer warranty) will be noticeably noisier. Additionally, you will need to factor in that your maximum storage is going to be capped at either a single drive OR (in a 2-Bay NAS with RAID 1) your storage halved to maintain redundancy. Finally, you will need to factor in that most 2-Bay NAS devices will either have a smaller external network connection (1/2.5Gbe) or are not really capable of saturating a full connection externally. So, baring these factors in mind, I would recommend the WD Red series of NAS hard drives for small NAS systems. They do not typically have more aggressive hardware internally, so the ambient noise when these drives are running will be remarkably low.
The performance, due to the lower rotations per minute (RPM) and cache might not seem spectacularly high, but in a 1-Bay or 2-Bay NAS, you likely could not push much performance externally anyway, so why spend much more on something that in most cases you will not be able to take advantage of. Be warned though, as you reach the much higher capacities above 8TB, the general background noise of the drives will increase incrementally.
+ Affordable Price Tag
+ Low Noise and Power Consumption in 24×7 Use
+ Good base level of Capacities Available
– Some Drive feature Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR)
– Performance is fairly average in the smaller capacities
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
12TB WD Red Plus Western Digital USA Buy 2 12TB drives for $379.98. [LINK] 18TB WD Red Pro Western Digital USA Buy 2 18TB drives for $549.98. [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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4-18TB, 7200RPM, 128-512MB Cache, 180 TBW, 3yr Warranty, 1-1.2M MTBF Rating $250-450
A 4-Bay NAS drive is generally when home and small/medium business users start to take their storage seriously. There are such a wide variety of hardware options that arrive at this storage tier, ranging from powerful Intel/AMD processors and DDR4 memory, to 10Gbe and PCIe upgrades. This arrives with the utility if RAID 5, that allows users to have a much larger potential capacity and performance, but still have a single drive of redundancy to fall back on in the event of drive failure. At this degree of NAS storage, you have a much greater potential to not only largely saturate a 10Gbe connection, but alternatively, you can also look into installing 2.5Gbe and 5Gbe upgrades and fill multiple plus gigabit connections directly or via a switch. In order to maximize this connection, but to also not max out your budget, I recommend the Toshiba N300 range of Hard Drives. Although they are a brand that is generally held commercially in the 3rd place when it comes to NAS media drives, their N300 range arrives at a similar/lower price point than Seagate Ironwolf and WD Red, but also arrives with 7200RPM on all capacities, with the lowest capacity arriving with 128MB caching and scaling up to 256MB quickly in the series. The increase in RPM will increase the background clicks, hums and whirs of the drive, but at 4-Bays, this is something that the NAS enclosure itself will begin to generate too. A high performing and often overlooked drive that, at the top capacity, can hit performance of up to 274MB/s.
+ Well Priced for a 7200RPM and 128/256/512 Cache Drive
+ Available in up to 18TB, even in non-Pro N300 Series
+ Error Recovery Control
– Will Generate More Noise at 7200RPM
– Not As Widely Available
– Not as well regarded as Seagate or WD
The 3.5-inch N300 NAS Hard Drive offers unprecedented reliability for NAS and other high-performance storage systems. It is optimized to meet the reliability, endurance, performance and scalability requirements of 24-hour x 7-day high-capacity storage for personal, home office and small business use. The N300 is available in capacities of up to 18 TB.
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2-22TB, 7200RPM, 128-512MB Cache, 300TBW, 5yr Warranty $85-429
Now we move onto the Rackmount NAS compatible hard drives, we have to start looking squarely at two main factors – Performance and Durability. If you are a business or established Prosumer user, then chances are that your NAS system is going to be used for a much larger % per day than most average users. Whether it is for surveillance, virtual machines, business file-sharing or just a combination of all of them every day, you want drives that are going to give you a good level of performance internally AND externally. Likewise, as the hard drives in even a modest rackmount NAS will be on for extended periods, you need to know that the drive can maintain the promising performance indefinitely AND without braking. This is where we start to look at specifications such as TBW (Terabytes Written), Mean time between failure, workload cycles and the warranty in more detail. For those looking at 10Gbe equipped or at least ’10Gbe Ready’ modest rackmount systems, I would recommend the WD Red Pro series of compatible NAS hard drives. Generally, one of the first Pro series NAS hard drives to arrive on the market, the WD Red Pro series is designed for NAS systems up to 24Bays and is available up to 18TB currently.
What did we say about the WD Red Pro 22TB highest tier model? We reviewed it back on September ’22 and whichever way you look at it, the WD Red Pro 22TB Hard drive is a stone-cold WINNER of a drive – both in terms of what it brings to the end user AND what this new 10-platter/OptiNAND drive design means for the future of the WD drive line up. WD does not over promise with this drive (with performance exceeding the brands reported benchmarks in almost every one of my tests, even using mid-range equipment) and they even nailed the price point in line with previous drives in the portfolio (though there is simply no avoiding that you are going to need deep pockets to fully populate any system with these 22TB drives). That said, much like any other WD Red Pro drive, the more industrial architecture still leads to a slightly higher running temp, noisier operation and slight increased power use. This is to be expected, but with no non-Pro alternative available at this capacity, the feasibility of fully populating a smaller scale system with the WD Red Pro 22TB is going to be both expensive AND noisy. I definitely recommend this drive to larger-scale NAS and SAN environments that need sustained RAID performance, high capacity and storage reliability – just maybe buy some earplugs if you plan on working in the same room as them.
Certainly one of the most expensive NAS HDDs out there, but provides a very good level of storage, performance, durability and overall is a very dependable drive for SMB users (Small/Medium Business) that want a drive they can rely on.
+ Top Tier NAS Drive Performance
+ 300TB/Y Workload
+ Build for up to 24-Bay Servers
– Certainly Noiser than non-Pro equivalents
– More Expensive than the Seagate Pro Option
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
18TB WD Red Pro Western Digital USA Buy 2 18TB drives for $549.98. [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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4-22TB, 7200RPM, 256MB Cache, 300 TBW (Newer NT version rates at 550TBW), 5yr Warranty, Rescue Data Recovery Services Included $79-399
When it comes to the move into Rackmount storage for businesses (novices stop here) then not only do you have to only consider Pro/Enterprise-class drives only, but you can also start to look at drives that include certain business level advantages in terms of coverage and service. Much like the non-PRO series of hard drives mentioned earlier, the Seagate Ironwolf Pro series of HDDs include the Rescue+ data recovery services but also includes an impressive 5 years of the manufacturers warranty. However, it is in terms of performance, capacity and durability that the difference between these two ranges become apparent. For a start, the Ironwolf Pro HDD range arrives in capacities of up to 18TB (20TB promised for later in 2021 thanks to Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording), with ALL drives in the PRO range arriving with 7200RPM and 256/512MB of cache. The result is that these drives will hit up to an impressive 260MB/s, which even in smaller RAID 5 groups will easily saturate a 10Gb connection with just 4-5 drives.I performed te sts on 64MB, 256MB, 1GB and 4GB test files, as well as mixed 70/30% R/W. The results were consistent and largely lived up to Seagate’s claims here.
What did we think of the Seagate Ironwolf Pro larger capacities? We reviewed the new NT series (higher durability at 550TBW over 300TBW in the previous revisions) 20TB version and Straight out the gate, the Seagate Ironwolf Pro 20TB HDD comfortably delivers on it’s promises of performance. This alongside full tested and confirmed compatibility with Synology and QNAP NAS devices means that you have a drive here that can turn any 4-Bay NAS into a 60TB RAID5 Storage colossus – let alone once you start thinking about rackmounts and hyperscale. The pricing at the time of writing is a little muddled (the result of having two SKUs/Model IDs floating around in the market and eTailers having to play catch up) but that should hopefully iron out over time. I particularly appreciate that the workload discussion surrounding ‘Pro’ Class drives at 300TB/yr vs rapid HDD capacity growth is being addressed here with a 550TB/yr version to rival that of ‘Ent’ class drives – whatever the reason/motivation. The value of the Ironwolf Health Management tool is going to be something of debate and the inclusion of 3yrs data recovery services is a nice extra that (with any luck) few will need to use – but having them included in a 20TB HDD that still manages to maintain a similar level of Price per TB vs the bulk of NAS HDDs in the Pro tier increases the value notably. As HDDs continue to increase in scale and Seagate (among other brands) continues to outline their plans to hit 50TB by the end of the decade, the Seagate Ironwolf Pro ST2000NT001 is another good example of an HDD that finds a sweet spot between price, durability and value. Just be aware that this is a drive designed for large-scale use and that means high operational noise and higher than typical power use than non-Pro and smaller cap drives!
In recent years we have seen Seagate reshuffle their range of available capacities to align the capacities from 1-12TB to arrive in the standard Ironwolf range and Capacities of up to 18TB and 22TB to arrive on the PRO series (likely due to those larger capacity options requiring the more enterprise hardware as standard and making a non-PRO version impossible without purposely nerf’ing the lesser drives intentionally. There is crossover in 4-12TB models in between, however, the distinction in RPM, cache, build design and TBW rating is wide enough to justify this. The noise level of the Ironwolf HDD series in PRO is noticeable higher, but given these are designed for larger arrays, this noise increase will be less noticeable over the ambient noise of the whole system generally.
+ Excellent Price Point vs Ironwolf NON-Pro in the Portfolio
+ Rescue Data Recovery Services
+ New NT Version Available with 550 TB Annual Workload
+ Seagate Ironwolf Health Management
+ ONLY CMR/PMR Drives in their NAS Range
– Smallest Drive Capacity is 4TB
– Noticeable Boot Up Noise
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
Seagate IronWolf, 8TB ST8000VN002 £185 Amazon USA £185 [LINK] Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive HDD Amazon USA $139.99 [LINK] QNAP TS-664-4G/48TB 6 Bay Desktop NAS Unit with Seagate IronWolf Drives Amazon UK 85.45 OFF (WAS 1137) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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1-24TB, 72000RPM, 256-512MB Cache, SAS & SATA Options, 550 TBW, 5yr Warranty, $99-519
Now we finally move into the class of hard drive that is more classically defined at ‘Data Center’ and/or Hyperscale environments. Often choosing between a PRO class and Enterprise-class drive can be ticky at a glance. However, Pro class drives generally arrive with a much longer terabytes written rating per year (ie the amount of data that can be written to the drive throughout its lifespan per annum), arrive in numerous interfaces (so both SAS and SATA generally) and typically arrive with numerous format and encryption standard versions available. These are available because some industries and organizations insist on drive media that features in-built protection and secure erase on the drive itself. Of all the enterprise and data centre-class media in the market, I generally recommend the Seagate EXOS series for any hyper scale system environment. They are very, VERY closely followed by the Western Digital UltraStar class of drives, but the Seagate EXOS series is a little clearer to understand, has larger capacity options available earlier, will hopefully release Mach2 version drives in 2021 (dual actuator/arm SATA drives at 400MB/s+) and generally arrive a pinch lower in price too in like-for-like comparisons against the Ultrastar.
Sound Test Video Live Soon (Below)
Recent changes by Synology in their newest 2021 series of rackmounts systems to ONLY support their own range of HDD media has led to their own drives featuring on their own respective hardware, so make sure to check that your intended NAS rackmount system supports Seagate EXOS drives before you head to checkout!
+ Huge Range of Architecture Options (FIPS, Military Encryp, 4KN, SED, SAS and more)
+ Constantly Evolving (Mach 2 versions, x14, x16 & x18 etc)
+ Comparatively Lower in Price vs Ultrastar
+ New 24TB Model (X24) Version Available in 2024
– Range Can Be Confusing
– Availability Can Be Difficult + Some Models Are ‘Bulk Purchase’ Only
– Noisy!
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8-18TB, 7200RPM, 256/512MB Cache, 550TBW, 5yr Warranty, Synology System ONLY, Firmware Control on Synology DSM $199-599
Arriving on the scene in Jan 2021, the Synology branded range of Hard drives for enterprise server use took ALOT of people by surprise! Synology has always had a long-standing reputation with the production of network-attached storage, so in efforts to produce a complete first-party storage system that includes the software, the network hardware AND the media inside is very what their brand has been all about. In their defence too, these are not just cash-grab drives and are in-fact enterprise-class drives that are being priced at PRO series drives (so an Ultrastar/EXOS drive that is at the price tag of a WD Red or Ironwolf Pro). The drives themselves arrive (at launch anyway) with just three capacities available (8TB, 12TB and 16TB) and the architecture of them is quite eye-catching. A 550TBW per year rating, a 2.5Million MTTF, 256/512MB cache and performance ranging across the capacities from 230MB/s to a reported 270MB/s+. The drives are originally Toshiba M06/07/08 Enterprise drives that have a tweaked Synology NAS firmware onboard, so they are geared specifically towards utilization inside the Synology ecosystem. You can even check and upgrade the individual drive firmware directly from with the Synology DSM graphical user interface too, which is quite a unique and convenient feature for those larger arrays with differing drive versions being installed throughout your server’s lifespan.
You cannot really question the quality of the hardware architecture featured on the Synology HAT5300 range of hard drives. We clearly find here a range of drives that have been designed by Toshiba (an HDD vendor with decades of experience and Synology are not being coy about highlighting the partnership on this media), combined with one of the biggest providers of modern NAS in Synology, with media that is tweaked for use within their NAS systems and despite arriving at a Pro series price tag, arrive with hardware far more comparable to that of Seagate EXOS and Western digital Ultrastar hard drives. With a terrifically impressive annual workload, an approach to drive firmware and upgrades relatively unseen from any other drive for NAS’ and remarkable transparency from Synology in the marketing of these drives on day one certainly needs to be acknowledged. Moreover, Synology is not the first brand to champion the use of locked hard drive media in their service systems and they certainly won’t be the last. Overall, I am happy with the new Synology hard drives and despite possible reservations about where the logic of locked drives and exclusivity on this product and range will be extended to in the future (standard class versions?), I still happily recommend the Synology HAT5300 media series alongside other champions of NAS hard drive in 2021.
The move towards hard drive locking by Synology is something that has impressed some and disappointed others – but if you were going to be installing drive media inside a NAS system for business anyway, then ultimately these are still a very solid and well-performing product for you.
+ Enterprise Drives at a PRO class Price
+ 550TBW on ALL Capacities
+ Drive Firmware can be Updated from within the Synology DSM GUI
– Using them in not Synology NAS Hardware is not Supported
– More Expensive than other Enterprise Class HDDs from Seagate & WD
– Noisy Operation
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
Synology DS1621+/72TB HAT5300 6 Bay Amazon UK 81.74 OFF (WAS 4300) [LINK] Synology DS1621+/96TB HAT5300 6 Bay Amazon UK 104.56 OFF (WAS 5420) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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1-18TB, 7200RPM, 256-512MB Cache, 550TBW, 5yr Warranty, FIPS and SED Options, SATA, SAS and U.2 NVMe SSD Options $70-550
Finally, we move onto possibly the most well known of the enterprise-class of Hard Drives on the market. When it comes to data center and hyper-scale storage environments, Western Digital’s UltraStar range has the same reputation and long-running recognition as IBM has in the computer industry. They have been the go-to drive media of choice in the huge storage environment’s for years, thanks in large part to the fact they have been designed, developed and improved at the same time as the systems they were going into. In recent years, competitors have taken chunks of the market from them (as they are a larger and slightly slower behemoth to suddenly change tactic) and feature larger product runs that have to last extensive lengths of time to facilitate data center replacement media as needed. Nevertheless, in recent years the Ultrastar brand under WD has diversified hugely and alongside the popular WD Gold label has branched into a vast array of interface types, form factors, media variants and scales. Typically the first drive series to crack into a new capacity tier (the first to crack 20TB too).
Sound Test Video Live Soon (Below)
The Ultrastar series of hard drives will often be compared against the WD Red Pro range of NAS hard drives when considering populating a server. It is worth remembering that the Ultrastar series is designed for both a higher performance AND a much more enduring performance – i.e it can maintain that level, as well as switch between processes, for much longer. Indeed in testing, the Ultrastar even features a much higher Read and Write performance than pretty much any other drive that peaks as high as 280MB/s in our ATTO DiskBenchmark testing below with just a single HDD. Even the IOs (IOPS_ went as high as 19,000, which although low when compared with modern high-end SSDs, for a single HDD is really impressive).
The drives themselves are fantastically dull in appearance of course, as one might expect from the enterprise tier and also feature quite an aggressive spin up noise. However, in much larger scale environments, you will almost certainly not hear the drive media over the ambient system fan noise. Overall still an oldie but a goodie!
+ Consistently High Performance
+ Well-established HDD Drive and Brand
+ Numerous Interfaces, in-Drive Encryption Systems and Choices
– DEFINITELY one of the most confusing product ranges
– Noticeably Noisy at boot
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4/6/8/12TB, 5900-7200RPM, 64-256MB Cache, 180TBW, 3yr Warranty, Synology NAS Designed, Firmware Update in DSM $109-189
There is most certainly a clear design choice here to mirror that of the existing regular-class server drives on the market right now. The Synology HAT 3300+ series has been reported several times, not just here on the blog, to be built using Seagate Iron Wolf drive media with specific Synology firmware on board. Arriving with 180-terabyte annual workloads, 5400rpm, 256-megabyte cache, arriving in a CMR architecture and air-sealed – the specifications we see here are all quite standard. The 12TB benefits from an increased RPM and helium sealing, as per most 12 TB drives in the market, but apart from that the Synology Plus hard drive series are going to run quieter than most pro or enterprise-class drives, as well as have a slightly lower power consumption, but are also going to have a slight performance decrease than that of the HAT5300 and HAT3300. But that is only going to be of significance in larger RAID configurations realistically.
The differences between the Synology HAT3300, HAT5300/HAS5300 are pretty much exactly as you would find if you compared WD Red and Seagate IronWolf versus that of Seagate Exos and WD Ultrastar. Indeed, I am a little surprised that Synology has not introduced a middle ground in the form of a pro series drive, but perhaps this is something that will roll out later down the line. Nevertheless, this results in quite a void of performance, durability, and scale between these two ranges when compared to long-term established server hard drive ranges from these other companies filling the gaps of capacity and pro middle ground choices. It should be immediately highlighted that regardless of which Synology hard drive you opt for, you still benefit from firmware updates being actionable from within the Synology DSM software, easier and more streamlined warranty support, and firmware optimization that is specifically tailored towards Synology hardware deployment. We have discussed this at length previously when discussing the Synology enterprise hard drives and SSDs, and although you pay a premium for Synology’s own branded drives when compared to third-party alternatives that people have been using for decades, there are nonetheless merits in using drives specifically geared towards your NAS system rather than requiring a slightly broader design that suits more diverse servers. Here is how the Synology enterprise SATA, enterprise SAS, and mid-range plus hard drives differ in their specifications:
Classification | Enterprise SATA | Enterprise SAS | Domestic SATA |
Series Name | Enterprise/XS | Enterprise/XS | PLUS |
Model | HAT5300 | HAS5300 | HAT3300 |
Interface | SATA 6Gb | SAS 12Gb | SATA 6Gb |
Recording | CMR/PMR | CMR/PMR | CMR/PMR |
Capacity (5/23) | 4/8/12/16/18TB | 8/12/16/18TB | 4/6/8/12TB |
RPM | 7200RPM | 7200RPM | 5400RPM (7200 on 12TB) |
Cache | 256/512MB | 256/512MB | 256MB |
Sector Size | 512e | 512e | 512e |
Max Transfer Speed (Capacity Dependant) | 254/260/253/274/281MB/s | 241/253/274MB/s | 202/240MB/s |
Drive Sealing | AIR/AIR/Helium/Helium/Helium | AIR/Helium/Helium/Helium | AIR/AIR/AIR/Helium |
Power Use (Idle) | 4.07/5.61/4.25/4.00/4.16W | 6.62/4.36/4.46W | 3.96/3.4/3.4/5.07W |
Power Use (Active) | 7.76/9.29/7.83/7.63/8.35W | 9.87/7.80/8.12W | 4.85/5.3/5.3/8.33W |
Load/Unload Cycles | 600K | 600K | 600K |
Workload Rating | 550TB (Annual) | 550TB (Annual) | 180TB (Annual) |
MTBF (Hrs) | 2.0/2.5Million | 2.5Million | 1Million |
Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years | 3 Years |
+ Much more affordable than the HAT5300 Series
+ Better range off smaller capacities than HAT5300
+ Drive Firmware can be Updated from within the Synology DSM GUI
– Not Supported on Bigger Synology NAS Systems (eg XS or SA Series)
– Lacks Data Recovery Service of Seagate Ironwolf HDDs
– 12TB Maximum Capacity (at time of writing)
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An increasingly important factor when selecting NAS hard drives is their compatibility with specific NAS systems. Over the last 18-24 months, there has been a noticeable trend, especially with Synology, towards reducing the range of compatible, supported, or verified HDDs. Synology has shown a preference for their own HAT3300 and HAT5300 drives, somewhat limiting the choice for users of their systems. This shift marks a departure from the traditionally open approach where most NAS brands, including Synology, supported a wide range of third-party drives.
This change in policy is significant for users needing specific storage solutions or those accustomed to a broader choice of drives. It contrasts with other NAS brands, which continue to support a variety of third-party drives, including the latest high-capacity models. When choosing a NAS hard drive in 2023/2024, it’s crucial to consider not just the drive’s specifications but also its compatibility with your NAS system. This ensures that you can take full advantage of the NAS’s features and avoid potential compatibility issues.
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Si vous utilisez un NAS QNAP, vous devez installer la dernière mise à jour du système dès que possible ! Le fabricant taïwanais vient de corriger 3 failles de sécurité critiques ! Faisons le point.
QNAP a mis en ligne un bulletin de sécurité faisant référence à trois vulnérabilités découvertes dans ses différents systèmes : QTS, QuTS hero, QuTScloud, et myQNAPcloud. Il s'agit de systèmes utilisés par les produits de la marque, notamment les NAS.
Il est à noter que la faille de sécurité CVE-2024-21899 peut être exploitée à distance, sans être authentifié. De plus, cette vulnérabilité peut être exploitée facilement, et sans interaction de la part d'un utilisateur.
Voici ce que précise QNAP au sujet de cette faille de sécurité critique : "Si elle est exploitée, cette vulnérabilité de type improper authentication pourrait permettre aux utilisateurs de compromettre la sécurité du système via le réseau. - Même si ce n'est pas explicitement indiqué, nous pouvons imaginer que cette vulnérabilité permet de compromettre le NAS, ou d'accéder à des données.
Les deux autres vulnérabilités, associées aux références CVE-2024-21900 et CVE-2024-21901, sont aussi considérées comme critiques. La première permet d'exécuter des commandes à distance, tandis que la seconde est une injection SQL qu'un attaquant peut également exploiter à distance. Toutefois, bien qu'elles soient critiques, le risque d'exploitation est moins élevé, car il faut être authentifié pour exploiter ces deux vulnérabilités.
Voici la liste des versions affectées, pour chaque système :
Pour vous protéger de ces failles de sécurité, vous devez utiliser l'une de ces versions :
Pour le moment, rien n'indique que ces vulnérabilités sont exploitées par des cybercriminels dans le cadre d'attaques. Néanmoins, la faille de sécurité CVE-2024-21899 pourrait intéresser les pirates dans les prochaines semaines, notamment, car elle s'exploite à distance et sans être authentifié. Étant donné qu'il y a de nombreux NAS exposés sur Internet, ceci représente un réel risque.
The post Patchez votre NAS QNAP pour vous protéger de ces 3 failles de sécurité critiques ! first appeared on IT-Connect.
The Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure marks an addition to the brand’s lineup, featuring cube-shaped Micro-ATX cases designed specifically for DIY NAS server builds. These enclosures are available in two colours: black and white, each incorporating a distinctive design that includes a classy wood embellishment on the front side of the upper compartment.
UPDATE – The Jonsbo N4 NAS Case is Now Available to Buy on AliExpress HERE
UPDATE 2 – The Jonsbo N4 NAS Case REVIEW is NOW LIVE – HERE on YouTube, or HERE as a written article on NASCompares
Model: N4 (Black / White)
Dimensions: 286mm (W) x 300mm (D) x 228mm (H) / Material: 0.7mm Steel + Wood, Weight: 3.75kg Storage: 6x 3.5″ HDD slots + 2x 2.5″ SSD slots Motherboard: ITX / Micro-ATX Ports: 1x Type-C USB, 1x USB 3.0 Type-A PSU: SFX (up to 125mm in length) / Maximum CPU Cooler Height: ≤70mm PCI Expansion: x4 , Maximum Graphics Card Length: ≤230mm Cooling: 1x 120mm fan (built-in) |
The case supports a Micro-ATX motherboard tray, low-profile expansion cards, and offers compatibility for CPU coolers up to 70 mm in height. The inclusion of eight drive caddies, with six designated for 3.5-inch drives and two for 2.5-inch drives, all equipped with SATA 6 Gbps backplanes for hot-plugging, underlines its focus on storage flexibility.
One of the key features of the N4 series is its storage capacity, which includes eight drive bays in total. This comprises six 3.5-inch bays and two 2.5-inch bays, all equipped with SATA 6 Gbps backplanes for hot-plugging capabilities. This configuration allows for a versatile setup of storage drives, meeting the demands for high storage capacity in NAS applications. The design ensures that these drive bays are easily accessible and maintained, promoting a user-friendly experience for installing and upgrading storage devices.
Cooling is managed within the enclosure by a single, built-in 120mm fan located at the rear, aimed at providing sufficient airflow to maintain optimal operating temperatures for the drives and other internal components. The enclosure’s cooling system is further supported by its design, which includes a perforated front panel for the lower compartment housing the drive bays and additional perforations along the sides and top of the upper compartment. This design choice aids in effective cooling, crucial for the reliability and longevity of the NAS server built within.
For connectivity and external interfaces, the N4 NAS Enclosure is equipped with a type-A USB 3.2 port and a USB 3.2 type-C port, conveniently located on the classy wood embellishment at the front side of the upper compartment. This choice of materials and placement not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the case but also ensures easy access to the ports for quick connections. The inclusion of these modern USB standards caters to the need for high-speed data transfer, a significant aspect for NAS systems that handle large volumes of data.
In terms of compatibility, the N4 series supports MicroATX and Mini-ITX motherboard form factors, with accommodation for up to four low-profile expansion slots. It allows for the installation of graphics cards up to 230 mm in length and CPU coolers up to 70 mm in height, as well as SFX power supplies with a maximum depth of 125 mm. While these specifications may limit some options for high-end components, they are adequate for building a compact and efficient NAS system.
The Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure provides a balanced solution for users looking to assemble a NAS server with a focus on storage capacity, cooling efficiency, and a compact footprint.
Regarding price and availability, the cost of the Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure is yet to be confirmed (TBC), but potential buyers can anticipate a price point similar to the previously released Jonsbo N3 model. The initial release is expected to be available through popular online platforms such as Aliexpress and Amazon, which are often the first to stock new products from Jonsbo. This approach allows for wider availability and accessibility to a global audience eagerly awaiting new NAS solutions. The full release and widespread availability of the Jonsbo N4 NAS Enclosure are projected for Spring 2024, aligning with the company’s strategy to introduce innovative products in a timely manner. As anticipation builds, NASCompares plans to conduct a thorough review of the enclosure, offering insights and evaluations to potential users. This forthcoming review will provide valuable information on the N4’s performance, build quality, and overall value, assisting in informed decision-making for those considering this enclosure for their NAS server builds.
(White) Check AliExpress $75.36
Check Amazon HERE |
(Black) Check AliExpress $79.99
Check Amazon HERE |
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The popularity of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) has risen significantly in recent years. Not just for businesses, but for home users as well, who often have limited power setups such as houseboats, pop-up offices, and mobile homes. The value of having a safety net for your power-consuming devices is undeniable. Additionally, for those whose data is critical and whose business or personal life relies on constant access and read/write operations, a UPS can provide peace of mind. In the past, power failure solutions were only accessible to large enterprises and high-level businesses, with prices starting in the five figures. However, with the rise of network-attached storage (NAS) in homes and the increased efficiency of mass production techniques, owning a UPS device to protect data in both homes and businesses has become more affordable. However, choosing the right UPS for your NAS device, such as a QNAP or Synology, and finding one that fits within your budget can be challenging. In this guide, we will address the three commonly asked questions by users considering a UPS but unsure of which device to choose: 1) How does a UPS work and how will I benefit? 2) How do I determine the right Watts, Volts, and Amps to choose the best UPS? 3) How much will a UPS cost? We hope this guide is helpful for NAS buyers looking at brands such as Synology, QNAP, Asustor, Terramaster, and others, and also for anyone looking to choose the right UPS for other devices.
Click HERE to Skip ahead to the Recommended UPS for different NAS drives
Choosing the right UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your Synology or QNAP NAS (network-attached storage) can be a complex task, as there are many factors to consider. However, by following a few key guidelines, you can ensure that your NAS is protected against power outages and other issues that could cause data loss or corruption. The first thing to consider when choosing a UPS for your NAS is the amount of power that your NAS requires. Desktop NAS devices with external PSUs typically have a power consumption of around 60-120 watts and rackmounts generally 250W and above, although this can vary depending on the specific model and the number of hard drives that are installed. It is important to choose a UPS that can provide at least this much power, as well as a bit extra to account for any other devices that may be connected to the NAS. Another important factor to consider is the runtime of the UPS. This is the amount of time that the UPS can keep your NAS running in the event of a power outage. The runtime of a UPS is typically measured in minutes, and you should choose a UPS that has a runtime that is long enough to allow you to properly shut down your NAS in the event of a power outage.
Another important feature to look for when choosing a UPS is the ability to communicate with the NAS. Some UPS’ have built-in USB or serial ports that allow them to communicate with the NAS and provide status information. This can be very useful in case of power outage, as it can allow you to monitor the status of the UPS and take appropriate action. Finally, you should also consider the size and weight of the UPS, as well as its overall design. A UPS that is smaller and lighter may be more convenient to deploy, but you should also make sure that it is well-designed and built to last. When choosing a UPS for your NAS, it is important to consider the amount of power that your NAS requires, the runtime of the UPS, the ability to communicate with the NAS, compatibility and the size and weight of the UPS. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your NAS is protected against power outages and other issues that could cause data loss or corruption.
The most frequently asked question about UPS is typically “What exactly is a UPS and what does it do?” UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply and many users believe that purchasing a UPS means they can run their devices and access data from their NAS, DAS, or SAN for hours after a power failure. While this is technically true, it would require a significant financial investment in the form of a 5-figure sum. In reality, most users do not require hours of protection for their read/write data operations on HDD media. Instead, what is often needed is enough time to safely shut down the server or RAID storage. This can be achieved by spending only hundreds of pounds, not thousands, as it depends on the number of devices drawing power, their specific needs, and the efficiency of the chosen UPS. For more information on UPS and how to choose one, please watch the video below.
This topic can be challenging for some, so we will break it down and explain it in a simple way. Before delving into technical terms like Watts, Volts, and Power, let’s use an analogy that’s easy to understand. Imagine receiving electricity to your device as drawing water from a tap.
To understand this concept, we can use an analogy of a tap and water. Just like a tap needs water and pressure to deliver it through the pipe, an electrical circuit needs electrons and voltage to deliver electricity to a device. The water represents the electrons that carry electricity from the power source to the destination device, like a NAS, DAS, or PC. The tap represents the destination device and the water/electrons are going around in a circuit back to the water/power source, which is mostly unseen in the cables.
The pressure in the analogy represents the VOLTAGE, which is the strength of the electricity being pushed by the electrons in the circuit. It’s important to measure this as some devices are designed to only accept a specific amount of voltage. If the voltage is too high or too low, the device will not function correctly.
AMPS represent the amount of electrical charge that passes a given point in a second, similar to how much water passes through the pipe per second.
So, now we need to know the WATTS of the device. This is compiled with the following equation:
AMPS x VOLTS = WATTS
or
Water Volume x Water Pressure = Water Power
If you’ve ever experienced weak water pressure in a shower while living in an apartment on a higher floor, this is likely due to the water pressure not being strong enough to deliver the water to the destination device. Similarly, a smaller battery pack is often measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), which represents the amount of charge available, rather than time. Using the analogy of water, this would be like a large drum of water. The amount of water and how fast it travels from the drum is not as important as the available water that can be carried over to the tap. The output and result is heavily affected by the AMPS and VOLTS, similar to the pressure of water and the maximum or minimum amount of water the tap can receive.
The majority of UPS devices have a similar setup. You connect one end to your main power outlet (3 Pin, 2 Pin, etc) and the UPS has multiple ports for connecting your destination devices (PC, NAS, etc). Inside the UPS chassis, there is one or more batteries that are charged from the wall plug, while your devices are powered directly from the wall and not drawing from the batteries unless there is a power failure. In the event of a power failure in your home or business, the destination devices will switch to drawing power from the batteries, giving you time to save your data and shut down your devices safely, protecting your digital storage from corruption or loss. It’s worth noting that when buying a UPS, there are many figures to consider, but the power drawn by computing equipment is typically measured in Watts or Volt-Amps(VA).
BUT
The power in Watts is the real power drawn by the equipment.Volt-Amps are called the “apparent power” and are the product of the voltage applied to the equipment times the current drawn by the equipment.
Inexpensive UPS devices typically have a shorter running time because they don’t provide as much charge. Mid-range UPS devices, on the other hand, offer longer charge times, more features, and additional functionality such as network alerts, internet alerts via SMS or email, an LCD display, USB connectivity for maintenance, and the ability to automatically save or shut down certain NAS or PC machines in the event of a power failure, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
There is more to choosing the right UPS than matching the WATTS of your destination device and that of the UPS
UPS capacities are giving in VOLT-AMPS , not WATTS
Remember again,
VOLTS x AMPS = WATTS
Well, Resistance present in electrical load means that the WATTS cannot be matched Like for Like. So:
You will need to consider a UPS with a VOLT-AMP 50-70% higher than the WATTS present on your destination device. Don’t forget to factor into your consumption any other devices that are drawing from the UPS, as this consumption is not per device, but TOTAL.
Some UPS devices have a “Line Interactive” feature that can strengthen a weak or inconsistent power supply, particularly useful for those in remote areas where maintenance may be less frequent. When it comes to sizing a UPS, it’s important to note that equipment nameplate ratings are often in VA which can make it difficult to determine the Watt rating. To avoid oversizing the UPS, it’s recommended to configure the system such that the VA rating of the load is no greater than 60% of the UPS VA rating. This will prevent exceeding the Watt rating of the UPS. However, this approach may result in an oversized UPS and a longer run time than expected.
– Battery Packs, Listed in VOLTS and can be added to an existing UPS
– Replacement Battery Cartridges, an Internal Upgrade, RANGE specific
– Available in Desktop or Rack mount
There are many brands that provide UPS (uninterruptible power supply) devices in the market, but some of the most popular ones include:
These are just a few examples of the many brands that provide UPS devices in the market. There are many other brands available, each with their own set of features, specifications, and pricing options, so it is worth researching different options to find the one that best suits your needs.
Almost all NAS drive brands support the use of a smart UPS, connected via USB for monitoring or via the network. That said, how each NAS system reacts to a power cut and switching to the UPS battery does differ. I recently tested the CyberPower 1500 system with a selection of 4-Bay UPS systems to see how each NAS brand’s hardware and software react. Below is the video for each brand. Just click the video, or you can open them up in a separate tab by clicking the title.
Synology NAS UPS Test
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QNAP NAS UPS Test
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Asustor NAS UPS Test
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Terramaster NAS UPS Test |
Below are a number of tiered UPS systems for your individual power needs and budget. These are based on the Watts you need to cover and based on a single NAS of different size each. This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg and for more precise advice based on a whole office or server room of hardware, we recommend getting in touch with us directly using the Free Advice section (no commitment and the advice is totally impartial) so we can save you money as well as provide you with a solution that will help you sleep at night! All solutions that I recommend below have to arrive with at least 2 Years of Manufacturers’ Warranty, 2 Years of Battery Warranty/Replacement Coverage, USB and/or Network Support, NAS compatibility, provides at least 10-20mins of continued client operation in a power-cut, support of line interaction and AT LEAST 6x mains power points for devices
For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.
Option – The Amazon Basics UPS, Available in different versions that cover 400VA to 1500VA, 6-8 Ports – Starts at $49
Find it on Amazon HERE
For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.
Option – The APC BE600M1 , Available in different versions that cover 550VA to 850VA, 7 Ports – Starts at $99
Find it on Amazon HERE
For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.
Option – The APC BE650G2, Available in different versions that cover 185W to 520W, 8 Ports – Starts at $169
Find it on Amazon HERE
For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.
Option – The CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS System, Available in different versions that cover 850-1500VA (1000W), 10-12 Ports – Starts at $389
Find it on Amazon HERE
For much more modest Synology or QNAP NAS setups, as well as factoring in additional home/office equipment I would recommend the following UPS Device.
Option – The Tripp Lite SU3000RTXL3U Sinewave UPS System, Available in different versions that cover 750-3000VA (2400W), 7-9 Ports – Starts at $799
Find it on Amazon HERE
The lifespan of a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) battery can vary depending on several factors, including the type of battery, the quality of the battery, the usage, and the environment in which the UPS is used. However, on average, a UPS battery should last between 3-5 years with proper usage and maintenance. Lead-acid batteries, which are commonly used in UPS systems, have a typical lifespan of 3-5 years. However, this lifespan can be shortened or extended depending on the usage and maintenance of the battery. For example, if the battery is frequently discharged to a low level, this can shorten its lifespan, whereas proper charging and maintenance can prolong it.
It’s important to note that the lifespan of UPS batteries can also be affected by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and the amount of use. High temperatures and humidity can shorten the battery life, while keeping the UPS in a cool and dry environment can extend it. It’s also worth noting that most of the UPS batteries have an end-of-life indicator, which will alert you when the battery is no longer performing as well as it should. This will give you an idea of when the battery needs to be replaced.
In conclusion, the lifespan of a UPS battery can vary depending on several factors, including the type of battery, the quality of the battery, the usage, and the environment in which the UPS is used. On average, a UPS battery should last between 3-5 years with proper usage and maintenance. Keeping an eye on the end-of-life indicator and maintaining the battery in a cool and dry environment can help to extend the battery’s lifespan.
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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below
Video editing and production, as of 2024, continues to be one of the largest generators of unique and large-scale data. From various sectors like wildlife photography to large-scale movie production, video editing has evolved into a significant business requiring power, speed, and efficiency from its hardware environment. In the past, editing with software like Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, DaVinci, etc., was manageable on local HDD/SSDs or external drives. However, in recent years, the demand for performance due to the size of 4K and 1080p footage has outstripped the capabilities of most internal SATA SSDs and external drives. The industry has since moved to NVMe SSD and Thunderbolt DAS RAID external storage.
In a Rush? Here are the Best NAS Systems for Video Editing that I Recommend:
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Despite their effectiveness, the cost of NVMe, its limited capacities, and the impracticality of Thunderbolt RAID DAS in field settings make them less than ideal. This leads us to the adoption of 10Gbe and/or Thunderbolt NAS for video editing, which offers several advantages:
Editing on a NAS drive, while not as straightforward as traditional USB and Thunderbolt DAS, offers several advantages to network hardware environments and improves the overall workflow. Let’s explore setting up a 10Gbe or Thunderbolt NAS for video editing, but first, some important considerations for 2024.
How to Edit Video on a Synology NAS
Editing on a NAS in 2024 offers more space and potential speed over local/internal SSDs, but there are additional considerations when switching to NAS-based editing:
If NAS-based editing sounds like a fit for your workflow and productivity in 2024, proceed with the guide.
How to Edit Video on a QNAP NAS
These steps will guide you through how to setup editing on your NAS with software such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Elements, PowerDirector and more, as well as be applicable to NAS brands such as Synology, QNAP, Asustor and Terramaster. I will try to keep as many of the steps as ‘universal’ as possible, ut there might be the odd difference between one software brand and another. If you have any questions, scroll to the bottom of the page and content me directly on the ‘Free Advice’ section. It is all genuinely free advice, manned by me (so I apologise if I am not ‘lightning-fast’) and I will help get you all setup to the best of my ability. Let’s get the guide started.
Right so, this is probably the BIGGEST STEP! This guide is largely useless if your NAS system is not already set up – setting up a NAS (eg have it plugged in and ready to interact with, etc) is a whole guide in itself. Luckily I have made several of those in both written and video form. It is important that your NAS system has the following things done:
Depending on your NAS Brand of choice, you can find a guide to setting up your desired system below:
Synology NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
Synology NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
QNAP NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
QNAP NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
Asustor NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
Asustor NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
Terramaster NAS Written Setup Guide – HERE
Terramaster NAS Video Setup Guide – HERE
From here you should be ready to start setting up your Mac/PC with your NAS system for video editing over 10Gbe and/or Thunderbolt.
Next, you need to create an area of storage on your NAS system that can be accessed by your Mac/PC system and in-turrn, the video editing software you are using. Remember, these steps will differ depending on the NAS brand you choose. First, you need to open up the NAS File Management tool (it will be called File Manager or File Browser).
From here, somewhere at the top, you will find an option listed as ‘create a shared folder’ or simple ‘Shared Folder Options’.
You need to give this new shared folder a name. It is recommended that you should not use spaces or special characters in this name, as some software might have conflicts with it. Additionally, you will be asked about which volume on the NAS you want the shared folder to be within. Be sure to select the volume where your best-performing media (HDD/SSD) are based.
After this, you will be asked several options (depending on the brand. These will include 1) If you want to encrypt the shared folder (which will lock it to only be accessed within the NAS, but can lower performance a pinch), 2) Do you want to create a task of periodic data health checks (up to you), 3) Do you want to set a storage quota (maximum space this shared folder can accumulate) and 4) Do you want to create storage snapshots of the shared folder to revert to later if needed (again, personal preference).
After this, you will then be asked which users on your NAS can access the shared folder. Be sure to allow both Read and Write access to both the Admin account and the one you created for your Video editing account.
From here, open up the client tool (Synology Assistant / Qfinder Pro, etc) and ensuring that the PC/Mac you are using to interact with your NAS so far is on the same network/10Gbe/TB3, Right-click on the NAS on the available and select the option labelled ‘Map Network Drive’
From here, you will be asked to provide the login details you created for the NAS. Here you will need to enter the video editing account details you created (or the Admin account), which will then show you the list of available network drives on the NAS
Select the shared folder that you created earlier, then you will be asked to give the NAS folder/drive a letter to assign on your Mac / PC (EG C:/ is the OS drive typically and D:/ is the CD/DVD/BD drive. Just give the drive a letter and then click confirm.
The new shared folder and Drive will now be available and visible on your My Computer / Finder and this is the drive that you will be editing your work on. As long as you connected to this drive via 10Gbe or Thunderbolt, it will allow considerably faster speeds than typical network/gigabit NAS connectivity.
The next step is quite straight forward. You need to copy or move your existing library of work over to the NAS. This can be done in numerous ways:
Method 1 – Simply Drag and Drop / Copy and Paste into the Mapped network drive
Method 2- Go into the NAS via your web Browser and Upload directly from the File Manager
Method 3 – Create a Sync Jobbetweena folder on your PC/Mac and the NAS using the free first-party tools (Synology Drive or QSync)
You will need to make sure that the bulk of the stock footage, music, photos and more that you use on a regular basis are on the NAS.
When you make the switch from editing video locally on your PC/Mac system and moving onto NAS based editing, the editing software you use (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, etc) will still have background actions and preferences that will be targeting your main system when in use. Typically these will be the default directories of when shadow files are created, the default location of where project assets are found and/or where temp files are saved.Each video editing software differs, so the options will be different from software to software. But it is recommended you change these to the NAS, as then the internal SATA SSD in your system, that will typically perform at 350-450MB/s (reported 550MB/s speed reports are based on ideal usage scenarios), will not present a bottleneck when your NAS can get up to 1,000MB/s on 10Gbe and more on a Thunderbolt-enabled NAS.
Adobe Premiere Essentials 2020
DaVinci Resolve
This one is not strictly essential, but I would recommend it. As you work on the NAS with your video editing, you are going to be creating both alot of files. Unlike when you were previously editing on a PC/Mac system and it’s internal SSD/HDD (whereupon you could then make a backup onto a USB drive or NAS), the video files you create will be living on the NAS drive ONLY. THAT is a big risk and means you do NOT have a backup. So, I recommend at least a 2 stage backup. That means that your data is in 1 location and then you have 2 more copies of ALL the important data in two more hardware and/or physical locations. Luckily, most NAS devices arrive with numerous multi-tiered backup software options included. In terms of backup options, I recommend one/two/all of the following (methods will differ between brands, but all of the top-tier NAS brands support these):
Backup the NAS Drive to a USB Drive
Backup the NAS Drive to another NAS Drive
Backup the NAS Drive to a Cloud Service
There are ALOT of different NAS options for editing video, but some are more suitable than others. Having a 10Gbe port and/or Thunderbolt is not enough and in order to avoid you spending month unnecessarily, I have listed a few options below that suit different personal budgets and the extent that you wish to edit. Take a look and if you are still in doubt, you can contact me directly for FREE and impartial advice at the bottom in my free support section or on the right-hand side of the page.
0-110TB (90TB with Syn HAT5300s) , 5x SATA Bays, 2x M.2 NVMe 2280 (Pools and Caching), AMD R1600 2-Core / 4-Thread CPU, 8-32GB ECC DDR4 Memory, 4x 1Gbe Port, Optional 10GbE Upgrade, 2x Expansion Port, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $699
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch , Before You Buy Video – Watch
What I said in my review June ’22:
The Synology DS1522+ is a good NAS drive and most business-focused users are going to appreciate what this newer configuration of hardware is able to provide. There was never any doubt in the extent to which this new NAS would support DSM7, and given its architecture, there is virtually nothing in the popular NAS software that this system cannot do. Likewise, having the option of 10GbE on a Diskstation of this scale will be hugely attractive to some, though the proprietary means with which you need to upgrade is arguably less desirable.
The R1600 CPU is a good choice of processor for file handling and simultaneous tasks, as is the 8GB of memory that this system arrives with, plus the potential to ramp it up to 32GB. After that though, the desirability of this system to home users and multimedia users is a little less compelling and with such a large audience of users who look at NAS for their media streaming, the DS1522+ not featuring a more graphically enabled chip will leave them somewhat underwhelmed. Bottom line, the DS1522+ is a solid and full DSM7 supporting system here and you cannot fault the design, internal/external performance and ease of use of this Synology NAS. However, there will always be users wondering why this NAS never arrived with an Intel chip.
8.4
Optional 10GbE Upgrade
Continued Support of Synology Hybrid RAID on this scale
4x LAN Ports by default
Expandable with another 10 Drives down the line (2x DS517)
NVMe SSD Bays for Caching will be very useful with this 5-Bay RAID Storage
DSM 7.1 is hands down the best NAS software and services in the market right now
3 years base warranty, with optional extra 2yrs
Numerous storage service advantages inc. BTRFS, Fast RAID Rebuild and Auto-Repair
First Party Hybrid Cloud services with Synology C2
Exceptionally good surveillance software included
HDD & SSD Compatibility list is a little thinner than I expected
Optional 10GbE upgrade is via a heavily proprietary route
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
Synology 5-bay DiskStation DS1522+ (Diskless),Black https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_bc_aui_C_5?ie=UTF8&node=20941687011 USA 15% Off [LINK] Synology DS1522+ 5-Bay Desktop NAS Solution 5x3,5/2,5" SATA HDD/SSD, 2x M.2 2280 Amazon UK 17.02 OFF (WAS 720) [LINK] Synology DS1522+ 60TB 5 Bay Desktop NAS Solution, installed with 5 x 12TB Seagat Amazon UK 121.79 OFF (WAS 2732) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-96TB, 12x M.2 NVMe 3×1 Bays, Supports 2x USB Expansions, N5105/N5095 4-Core CPU, 4-16GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 1x 10Gbe Port, 3yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $799
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review HERE)
What I said in my review June ’23:
I cannot stress enough how impressed I am that the Flashstor 6 and Flashstor 12 Pro are priced at $499 and $860, respectively, given the level of hardware on offer here. These are by no means enterprise-grade NAS server solutions, nor should they be thought of as such. However, given the cost of typical fully featured 4x HDD solutions from their competitors and the brand themselves, which often start at $550 and above, it is quite remarkable that the six M.2 SSD system with comparable internal hardware comes in at $499. As long as a user keeps their expectations in line with what this cost versus its capabilities, it’s really tough to argue with the price point that these two devices have arrived at on the market. The Asustor FS6712X Flashstor 12 Pro NAS presents a unique offering in the NAS market, leveraging NVMe technology to provide high-capacity, ultra-high-performance storage. The device’s design, with its rhombus-shaped enclosure and twelve M.2 NVMe slots, sets it apart from traditional NAS devices and offers a sleek and modern aesthetic.
The tool-less drive installation mechanism makes it easy to set up and expand the storage capacity. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The limited number of PCIe lanes provided by the Intel Celeron N5105 processor may restrict the performance of high-speed NVMe drives. The single 10GbE LAN port also presents a potential network bottleneck, limiting the device’s overall network performance. Users seeking maximum performance and network throughput may find alternative solutions better suited to their needs. Despite these limitations, the FS6712X shines as a storage solution for users who prioritize high-capacity storage, quiet operation, and low power consumption. The device’s ability to directly output 4K video, along with its range of Asustor-approved apps, makes it an excellent choice for media distribution and presentation. In terms of pricing, the FS6712X comes with a price tag of $850+. While this may appear high at first glance, it is comparable to 8 bay drive NAS SATA devices and many of those do not even include NVMe slots or 10GbE. Users looking for a more cost-effective option can consider the Flashstor 6, which offers half the number of slots and 2x 2.5GbE enabled ports for $499.
As the cost of flash modules continues to drop, and larger capacity drives become available all the way up to 8TB (even without QLC), the FS6712X provides an attractive solution for those seeking high-capacity and high-performance NAS storage. While some underlying performance relativity by the end user needs to be factored in and hardware limitations exist thanks to the use of that Celeron to remain budget-friendly, the FS6712X is a tremendously smart move by Asustor. A well-designed NAS that presents a much more confident solution demonstrating the benefits of NVMe-focused NAS devices to an audience that would have assumed such things are way, WAY outside the realms of affordability!
8.6
Low Power Use
Full 1st Party NAS OS Included
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10G Connectivity and wide USB Support/Compatibility
Very Slick and compact design
SP/DIF and HDMI 2.0b Outputs will hugely please the multimedia user community
Likewise, Plex Performance is very good for 4K and 1080p conversions
2.5GbE x2 is good.. but its still hugely limiting for those NVMes
Lack of ECC memory (cost prohibitive of course) will put some serious users off
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
ASUSTOR FLASHSTOR 6 Network Storage (FS6706T) Amazon UK 28.45 OFF (WAS 823) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-198TB, 9-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Intel C3558R Atom Quad Core CPU, 8-32GB Memory, 2x 10GbE SFP, 1x 2.5GbE Port, PCIe Slot (TBC), 2yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $999-1099
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review May ’23:
Terramaster has really changed the playing field with the T9-450 NAS. I was already a big fan of their latest generation of 6-Bay, 9-Bay and 12-Bay desktop chassis – providing a pretty substantial amount of storage in a tower design that borrows ventilation methodology traditionally found in rackmounts, but the T9-450 takes this logic and doubles down on it hard. The dual 10GbE on the system means that, despite it’s comparatively modest price point (when comparing against similar scale solutions from Synology and QNAP) you genuinely have a solution with the potential to allow you to enjoy every single MB/s or GB/s of your RAID externally. This is further bolstered with additional 2.5GbE ports, m.2 NVMe bays, uncomplicated support of HDDs/SSDs and just generally a very sensible system that shows how much Terramaster has matured as a brand. The TOS software is still not quite up there with Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS in terms of ease of use and AAA+ features, but it is definitely a great entry point OS that has tighted it’s security since the brand was targetted by a ransomware group (along with other brands, they were affected by Deadbolt attacks) – it certainly lacks some of the background optimization of it’s competitors, but then this is reflected in the budget of the system too.
The internal PCIe slot that has been largely ignored is a bit of a missed opportunity and I am not a big fan of how they have addressed memory compatibility, but overall it is very, very tough to criticise the T9-450 NAS when you factor in the value of the package here. Factor in that you can very easily swap out the OS for many others, and it largely silences alot of the negatives here too. Overall, the T9-450 could potentially be the best NAS that Terramster has ever released and if they continue to address later releases with the same level of hardware value, this could definitely give the bigger names in the industry something of a headache down the road. I highly recommend this system for its value and performance potential!
8.8
Good Middle ground between a Rackmount and Desktop System
Dual 10GbE - LOVELY STUFF!
Also has support of SMB MultiChannel and an extra 2x 2.5GbE
Decent throughput Capable CPU
Great RAID Options
Snapshot Replication
BTRFS/EXT4 Support as preferred
A large amount of maximum memory supported (16-32GB - TBC)
M.2 SSD Bay inside for caching/storage
TOS 5.1 is genuinely good, if not quite as polished/evolved as it\\\'s competitors
VERY easy to install TrueNAS, UnRAID, Proxmox, OpenMediaVault, etc (and also easy to reverse)
Supports ECC Mmeory, but not included (might annoy some)
NOT QUIET!
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i7/i9 CPU, 32-64GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 2x Thunderbolt4 Port, 2x 2.5Gbe Port, KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2999-3499
Hardware Review – HERE
YouTube Video Review – HERE
In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments. However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.
The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.
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No doubt, you’ve got friends and professional colleagues working in the world of post-production and content creation who have staunchly recommended that you start editing your big projects on a NAS! Sounds simple, right? You’ve spent the best part of the last couple of decades editing and backing up projects onto a USB or Thunderbolt-connected drive. Yet now, with the influx of cloud services and the sheer size of projects these days, the appeal of moving your production over to your own private cloud NAS, with plenty of benefits in scale and performance possible, does sound remarkably appealing! However, the reality is not quite so simple, and unlike when you might have made the jump from a basic USB drive to an external Thunderbolt-connected SSD, network-attached storage has a little bit more of a learning curve, and novice users to this ever-growing storage alternative have got quite a lot of new things to learn. This is made even tougher when, as a content creator and video editor, you are far more concerned with media resolution, picture quality, and production factors than you are in just how many gigabytes and terabytes of space it takes up! So today, I want to go through the most important aspects that a video editor needs to factor in when considering a NAS device for use in video editing. At the end of this article, I will make recommendations based on different budgets, scale, and production levels. But for now, let’s crack on and go through each of the most important factors for those of you considering making the switch over to NAS in your post-production workflow.
Note – Read a Step by Step Idiots Guide To Editing Video On A NAS Drive (Via 10Gbe Or Thunderbolt) HERE
Note – Learn more about choosing between LARGE HDDs and Multiple Smaller HDDs in this detailed Guide HERE
This is probably one of the most overlooked factors when it comes to users editing on a NAS. Just because a system boasts a certain number of terabytes of storage, it does not necessarily mean that each is just as good as an identical system with the same number of terabytes that happens to be larger. What do I mean by that? Well, I am talking about the benefits of Redundant Array of Independent Disks, also called RAID. Originally, this was developed as a means of ensuring that if you had a large area of storage comprised of multiple drives, if one failed, you would not lose your data, as RAID provided a safety net in the form of a single drive (or two, in some RAID configurations) of failure protection. However, over the years, other inherent benefits of RAID have presented themselves, and a few of these are going to be massively desirable to video editors. The first advantage is performance. In almost all cases of RAID configuration, the more drives you have in a single storage array (e.g., the more hard drives you have in the box), the higher the performance! This is because the more drives you have, the more drives are going to be simultaneously read from and written to as you edit. That is why the more powerful video editing NAS systems tend to have more bays for drives, as this allows you to multiply the performance. So, sometimes if you see a NAS server with the same internal hardware in either a 4-bay or 8-bay form, it is always worth spending a fraction more on the larger system as it will allow more drives and therefore higher performance, which translates into a much smoother editing experience on your connected Mac or Windows machine.
Here is a Guide to Understanding Each of the Main RAID Types (Click Below to read in a new tab)
Next, there is scalability. Although you might be looking at 10TB of storage for your projects right now, that is going to multiply over time as your range of stock footage and completed projects increases over the years. You need to know that you can scale up the NAS system fluidly and easily over that time. Therefore, it is always worth purchasing a NAS with a bunch of empty bays inside it to add drives later or a NAS system that supports expansion devices (i.e., connected smaller boxes that add storage later down the line). All NAS boxes can run on just a single hard drive or SSD, so don’t be afraid to only partially populate a NAS rather than fully populating every single available bay on day one. Adding drives gradually over time will not only allow you to spread the cost of your expanding storage as the years go by, but it will also allow you to gradually increase the performance of your system over time too, and therefore allow you to know just the right performance level that you’re going to need for your video editing tasks in the long term.
Finally, a massively overlooked element of RAID is that it allows you to achieve much better value in terms of your storage. Commonly referred to as ‘price per terabyte,’ thanks to the balance between safety net and storage provided by RAID, it’s genuinely possible to achieve high capacity levels and save money easily. For example, if you buy 2x 10TB hard drives (so, technically 20TB data storage) in a RAID 1 in order to achieve one drive of safety net, you will lose 10TB of storage. However, if you buy 4x 4TB hard drives and put them in a RAID 5 (still one drive of safety net), you will achieve 12TB available storage, and you will have spent less on these four smaller drives than the two bigger drives, and you still get to have increased performance too! Although this logic is not foolproof on all drives, you generally find that this can ring true across the majority of different capacities, so never be afraid to weigh up the cost, benefits, and performance benefits of going for smaller drives in larger quantities.
Cost of NAS Hard Drives in Jan 2023 (5/1/23) | |
Seagate Ironwolf HDDs (Regular) | WD Red Pro HDDs (Pro Series) |
1TB – $35 2TB – $65 4TB – $105 6TB – $158 8TB – $177 10TB – $224 12TB – $258 14TB – $271 16TB – $309 18TB – $389 |
4TB – $140 6TB – $173 8TB – $215 10TB – $245 12TB – $253 14TB – $270 16TB – $298 18TB – $349 20TB – $419 22TB – $551 |
In most cases, the price per terabyte on both sides will remain largely consistent at each capacity. HOWEVER, when you start putting these drives into a NAS/DAS enclosure and acting in the RAID configuration, it soon becomes apparent that the ben efits in Drive #s in a RAID 1 vs a RAID 5 immediately show a saving in almost every single capacity the smaller you go! Below are two examples of achieving 12TB in a NAS enclosure using RAID 1 vs using RAID 5 (so, still maintaining 1 disk drive failure protection and having 12TB of storage to use):
12TB Storage in a RAID 1 MIRROR | 12TB Storage in a RAID 5 |
One of the things people often do not realize about the difference between using a NAS and previous experience with cloud storage such as Dropbox, iCloud, or Google Drive, is the performance benefits of connecting via network versus connecting via the internet. Those subscription cloud drives are heavily dependent on your internet speeds, and even if you choose to use high-end internet connections such as fiber optic and gigabit internet, the reality is that you simply will not get the same level of performance as is possible via your local area network. All the devices in a single office or business environment that are utilizing the same internet/router are typically on the same network. Think of all of the devices in your home/office as houses on the same street, whereas think of communicating over the internet as communicating with completely different towns and cities! Devices on the network (also referred to as the LAN or Ethernet) have much higher speeds possible, starting at 109 megabytes per second, and this can be scaled up substantially towards 1000 megabytes, 2000 megabytes, and more, thanks to bonding technology that harnesses and combines multiple network connections.
Different NAS devices will arrive with different network connections, as well as the option to increase and upgrade those network connections in the systems via USB adapters and PCIE upgrades. Equally, most PC or Mac systems provide the means to upgrade their network connections in the same way via simple, affordable USB upgrades, slightly more expensive PCIE upgrade cards, and even Thunderbolt-connected adapters that allow you to connect your PC or Mac directly (no switch or router in between) to allow much larger performance benefits for video editors that want to edit 1080p or 4K directly on the NAS. It is really important when considering a NAS for video editing that you factor in the network connections on the device, as well as the ability to scale them up accordingly throughout the system’s life and as your video editing demands increase over the years. Equally, you need to make sure that your editing machine has similar levels of network connectivity available, as your total maximum performance will always be dictated by the lowest speed device in the network. i.e., You cannot connect a 10-gigabit NAS to a 1-gigabit MacBook, as you will only achieve 109 megabytes (i.e., a Gigabit).
You may have already noticed when considering one NAS over another that although some systems seem very similar in size, their price tags can be wildly different! Although there are a lot of factors that make up the cost of a NAS, the CPU that the system arrives with is extraordinarily important. Much like the Mac or PC that you choose to edit your video on, a more powerful or more task-designed CPU is going to achieve the best results, and that is because of efficiency and having the tools built in to perform those certain tasks. More affordable and lower-end NAS systems tend to arrive with ARM-based CPUs. These are the kind of CPUs more generally found inside mobile devices, tablets, and pretty much anything that is designed to be on a limited power supply for long periods of time (as these are designed to compress commands given to and from the CPU to the rest of the system and that results in lower power consumption but also lower capabilities, as you have to factor in the shrinking of those commands by the processor). More capable and higher-priced NAS systems arrive with x86 processors, which are far more capable processors and will result in a larger frequency and higher complexity of commands handled inside the system. When you are editing data of any kind, the number and complexity of the instructions handled by the system will always govern the overall best performance possible, and in the case of video editing, which has exceedingly dense file sizes and formats, a much more capable CPU is going to make all the difference in terms of ensuring that the multiple files that you are editing at any given time in a single project are managed quickly and efficiently.
However, things get even more powerful when you start looking at CPUs that are either industrially designed for high-frequency file transmission or have integrated graphics. Generally, you find a more industrial component in servers to be a Xeon or AMD EPYC processor. These are designed for server use and enormously high-frequency transmission of data. But integrated graphics are a little different. This is a dedicated component of the processor that is designed to handle and manipulate graphical data. So, high-end video data definitely comes under the classification of graphical data! This is particularly true if you are running dense or lesser-supported formats. So, raw video that is uncompressed or files that are compressed with licensed formats such as HEVC will be made that bit easier with integrated graphics. The importance of the processor inside the NAS you choose to use for video editing is enormously important, and although it’s easy to overlook (as we are talking about one of the significantly more technical aspects and something you have to dig into the spec sheets to learn), it is definitely worth spending a bit of extra time to check the processor inside your NAS before you spend your money on a video editing solution.
Using Thunderbolt to connect with a NAS is something that has grown in popularity over the last 5 years or so. As mentioned earlier, you can purchase Thunderbolt to 10G adapters that allow you to connect directly with a NAS over 10G via an available Thunderbolt port directly on your video editing machine. However, a Thunderbolt NAS takes things further and actually features at least two Thunderbolt ports on your NAS that allow you to directly connect at least two video editing machines to the NAS system. This sets it apart from traditional Thunderbolt-attached storage (referred to as DAS, Direct Attached Storage) as it allows you to have multiple video editors connecting to the same storage device at the same time. But equally, it allows you to access all of the NAS features both via Thunderbolt and via the network, so you’re still able to utilize the device for multi-site backups, multimedia, surveillance, and anything else that you were considering buying a NAS for to maximize your investment in this purchase. Also, if your larger network has factored in some 10G appliances, you can utilize the Thunderbolt NAS as its very own Thunderbolt to 10G adapter, with the NAS connected via 10GBE to your local network. If you connect your Mac or Windows system via Thunderbolt to the NAS, you then instantly have access to the rest of the 10G network via it (known as T2E protocol).
Sounds great, right? Highlighting the advantages of a Thunderbolt NAS does come with disadvantages that are often overlooked or simply not known by a lot of video editors. For a start, Thunderbolt NAS is not a particularly common product and is widely only available from one brand, QNAP. They largely dominate the market for this product, and pricing can be quite high due to the lack of broader competition as found in the rest of the NAS industry. Equally, as mentioned earlier when I touched on the importance of CPU in a video editing NAS, most Thunderbolt NAS systems have particularly high-end internal hardware compared with most other NAS systems of a similar scale, and the CPU choices tend to result in much higher price points on Thunderbolt NAS systems. Finally, it is worth highlighting that, although Thunderbolt NAS allows you to still enjoy the user abilities and software features of a traditional NAS but using Thunderbolt, this does result in a drop in performance compared with connecting a normal Thunderbolt DAS system. Thunderbolt NAS is connected over a protocol known as IP over Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt over IP – which results in a heavier overhead for the system to manage these connections. The result is that you tend to see a drop in performance of around 20% to 30% in a Thunderbolt NAS compared with a similar storage scale Thunderbolt DAS. You can mitigate this in a number of ways, such as getting NAS systems with more bays, utilizing SSD instead of slower hard drives, increasing the memory, or utilizing combined SSD and hard drive storage pools such as caching or QTier. Nevertheless, if you’re running a multi-editor suite and need all of your editors to work from a single storage area with much higher speed overall than in most other cases, a Thunderbolt NAS can be a remarkably attractive proposition. Just be aware that it requires a little bit more set up and a learning curve than found in normal Thunderbolt plug-and-play storage.
It is a common question when looking at a NAS for video editing, given the larger number of Mac-based video editors versus that of Windows users, but all NAS systems these days tend to support both Windows and Mac! Indeed, many users choose to use a NAS system because it can act as a cross-platform file system that can be accessed by both Windows and Mac systems simultaneously and allow users to much more smoothly exchange files across these two different OSes. That said, where in-system apps and connections are supported on both Windows and Mac, the individual client applications that you may wish to download for Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS may have varying levels of support in their individual tools on different app platforms. That is because the individual client operating systems provide their own toolkits which have their own updates, features, and restrictions that are only available on one operating system and not the others. A big part of this is why you tend to find that the newest features promised by a NAS brand are typically available on Android and Windows first, with a slight delay before they arrive for Mac and iOS. This is because macOS and iOS do fewer but much larger software updates, whereas Windows and Android tend to release many more subversions of this software and granularly roll out their new features. So just bear in mind that although the bulk of the features you may have heard about on a NAS will be possible and available on your operating system, it never hurts to check the release notes for any specific tools that you are interested in to edit video on the NAS.
This is where we get into the reeds somewhat! Most video editors in their career grow quite dependent on a handful of premium editing suites and packages in order to create those wonderful pieces of work! Most of the time this has been done with the PC or Mac system you are using editing on a storage drive inside your host editing machine or via a connected USB/thunderbolt storage drive, right? Well, almost all video editing suite software can edit this way as this storage drive is seen as a local (also known as logical) attached drive. This means that the software can treat this drive as immediately accessible and run the footage you are editing directly from the drive and in the system’s memory simultaneously. Editing on a NAS is slightly different, and the protocol that your system uses to communicate with a network/remote storage drive (often referred to as IP) is different enough that some video editing software will not work with it. This is because a lot of premium video editing software takes stability and smooth editing exceptionally seriously. Therefore, many video editing software packages will not allow you to edit on a NAS out of the box. Connecting a NAS to your PC/Mac system in terms of video editing is predominantly done in two main ways.
The first way is known as mapping network drives and is supported on all operating systems. Equally, a mapped network drive appears as another available drive in your list of available storage devices, but it’s clearly defined as a remote lead connected storage device, and whereas normal storage drives have a name/letter to define their identity (such as your operating system drive being listed as C:/ or a connected optical disc drive as D:/), remote drives will be connected via an identifying number on the network (e.g., 192.168.1.5). This means your video editing software will know it is a remotely connected drive, and in the case of some premium video editing software, it will not work with this NAS for video editing. This is why you need to consider the second method of remote connecting a NAS to your video editing.
The second method is a little more complex and depending on your operating system, is connected in slightly different ways. Referred to as iSCSI or IP SAN based connectivity, this creates a completely separate area of storage inside your NAS that has been designed for specific remote-only connectivity and cannot be interacted with from within the NAS software. On the face of it, this sounds kind of illogical to create an area of storage that you cannot access from within the NAS operating system, but the reason for this is you are creating an area of storage that will purely be used outside of the NAS and therefore allows you to craft it in a very specific way. From here, you need to use something called iSCSI protocol, using one of several applications for PC or Mac. Sadly, although you can use an iSCSI initiator for Windows systems that is completely free and available from within Windows, macOS needs you to use third-party peripherals to contact with iSCSI talkative storage area (also known as a LUN). However, once you have created this LUN and iSCSI target inside the NAS, you can then connect to it on your Windows or Mac system, and it effectively tricks your video editing workstation into believing the remote-connected NAS storage is, in fact, a locally attached drive. You can assign it a name or a letter (depending on your operating system), and from there have all of the benefits of fluid and instant connectivity that you would find when video editing on your locally connected drive. I know this all sounds quite complex, and I have already created both a video and an article on this. So if you want to learn more about this very specific process of editing on a NAS on certain video editing suite software, use the article and video below.
It is also worth highlighting that there is, kind of, a third option in the form of drive sync protocol. Known as Synology Drive on their platform, or QNAP Qsync on theirs, these allow you to create a synchronized folder (or folders) on your local PC/Mac system that is constantly mirroring a drive on your NAS. As good as they sound, and they are terrifically user-friendly, it is worth highlighting that this doesn’t necessarily synchronize all of the data between the two platforms. And unless you also want to use up an area of space on your local PC/Mac to mirror with the NAS fully. This means that it ever so slightly undermines the need for editing on a NAS if what the NAS is doing is synchronizing live data between it and your video editing operating system. However, this has been somewhat mitigated in recent years, thanks to processes known as file pinning, metadata pinning, and file streaming on demand. These allow you to see the contents of the NAS (complete file layout, folders, and structure – just not taking up any space, just think of it as a blueprint) in this synchronized folder via your operating system’s native file manager and allows you to pick and choose which files you want to live fully on the local OS without needing to download the whole thing. That is why this is more of a hybrid option and not recommended for everyone.
Choosing the right NAS for video editing, even now that you know the importance of NAS hardware, software, and bandwidth to consider, is still no easy task. As mentioned earlier in this article, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of different NAS options available to you, and you don’t really want to get it wrong first time. These make an enormous difference! In order to help you out, below, I’ve detailed several of the current available NAS solutions available in 2023/2024 that best suit a wide range of video editing needs. Keep in mind that although I have detailed several solutions below, other newer options may have arrived since this article was written, which may be even better suited to your video editing needs. So don’t be afraid to use the free advice section on NASCompares at the bottom of the article, the free community forum AskNASCompares.com, getting in touch with other members of our community in the discord or me or at personally consult on the right video editing storage solution for your own very specific setup.
0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i5/i7/i9 CPU, 16-64GB DDR4 Memory, 2.5Gbe Port, 10Gb x2 Prots (Intel i9 Version), KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty , TrueNAS/UnRAID Support
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2000-2500-3000
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review Dec ’22:
QNAP TrueNAS Installation Guide HERE
QNAP UnRAID Installation Guide HERE
The QNAP TVS-h874 NAS is easily one of the most hardware-capable desktop NAS systems that I have ever seen (as you would expect for £2500+) and has clearly been designed with phenomenal future proofing in mind! If you are concerned about the longevity of this NAS, this hardware architecture will still be top tier 5 years from now, with the added support of PCIe 4 meaning that high capacity and performing micro upgrades throughout its life also ensuring it remains relevant long after. It’s price tag clearly moves this purchase out of the home and squarely into the business market (though likely those that take their media seriously will add it to the cart) and the TVS-h874 will function as a solid solution for Video editing (even at 8K), high frequency and performing VMs, large scale AI powered Surveillance setup, hybrid cloud/on-prem alternative to Office 365/Google Workspace services and as the center point for all your data storage operations. Crucially though, it is that the hardware on offer here will be able to do ALL of these at the same time, therefore maximising the investment for most businesses that want to move aware from their cloud dependant ops. In terms of software,t things are a little less absolute, with QTS and QuTS still getting a little busy at times, with a steeper learning curve than its big rival DSM from Synology. That said, die-hard fans of ZFS (Zettabyte File System) will adore the inclusion of benefits in RAID handling, management and recovery that are exclusive to that platform, whilst enjoying the wide range of applications and service benefits in QuTS that are often restricted to Linux platforms.
The slightly conveluded approach to release hardware that does complicate the selection process (different CPUs in the Intel 12th Gen family changing the rest of the system architecture) is something that I hoped this brand would graduate from (for the sake of simplicity), but for many, this level of choice in hardware and budget will be welcome. As is QNAP’s position on the support of 3rd party hardware (drives, PCIe upgrades, etc) and software, something that we have seen a worrying trend in the last few years against elsewhere in the industry but some other brands, to err towards 1st party/proprietary compatibility more and more. There are still lingering doubts by some on the security of NAS, with ransomware attacks on the rise and ALL brands and ALL platforms being targetted (NAS, Cloud ,etc), finding a middle ground between ease of use and depth of security being a tricky tie rope walk indeed. The TVS-h874 arrives with a wide range of Day 1 tools, further rigid defaults in QTS/QuTS in 2022/2023, considerable security settings to configure and multiple system scan tools for recommendations & preventative measures available. The QNAP TVS-h874 is probably the most powerful desktop/tower NAS drive I have ever reviewed and if you are looking for a system that can legitimately do anything server-side, but you are also willing to put in the time to configure it correctly – you will genuinely be hard pushed to find a better system in 2022, 2023 and likely 2024 at this price point and scale.
0-88TB, 4-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Dual Core AMD Emb.Ryzen R1600 CPU, 4-32GB DDR4 ECC Memory, 2x 1Gbe Port, 10GbE Optional Upgrade Slot, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $550+
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review Nov’22:
Synology has clearly made something of a gamble in the release of the Synology DS923+ NAS. There is no avoiding that making the switch from the Intel Celeron that has historically been the build choice of this product family and opting for the AMD Emb.Ryzen has ruffled some feathers! On the face of it, the R1600 here has a heck of alot of going for it over the previous generation! Higher clock speed, greater PCIe Gen 3 Support throughout, that 4-32GB of DDR4 memory in such a compact system and just generally giving you a lot more horsepower to play with, as well as better bandwidth potential inside and out! But at what cost? The 1GbE standard connectivity in the base model leaves alot to be desired, the proprietary 10Gb upgrade (though incredibly handy) limits the upgradability a tad and the lack of an integrated graphics processor is likely going to result in many long-term Synology advocates to skip this generation. Synology Diskstation Manager (DSM 7.1 at the time of writing) still continues to impress and although the brand still continues to heavily push their 1st party priorities, they have left a little more wriggle room in DSM 7.1 than DSM 7 before it in terms of media compatibility.
In terms of design, I cannot fault Synology on this as the DS923+ chassis still arrives as one of the best-looking and still exceptionally well-structured devices at this physical scale and storage level. As always, a Synology NAS is more about the software than the hardware (and the DS923+ delivers in spades on the software side!) and with DSM 7.2 around the corner improving things. Just always keep in mind that the Synology DS923+ NAS is a system that arrives with the slight emphasis on having to do many things ‘their way’. If you are less technically versed, then you will definitely appreciate this level of user-friendly design and assistance, but more technically minded admins’ main strain a pinch! In short, the DS923+ IS a good NAS drive, but its focus has certainly ebbed more towards the business user this generation than the home.
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0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i7/i9 CPU, 32-64GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 2x Thunderbolt4 Port, 2x 2.5Gbe Port, KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2999-3499
Hardware Review – LINK (h874) – h874T Review Coming Soon
YouTube Video Review – Watch (h874) – h874T Review Coming Soon
In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments. However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.
The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.
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0-198TB, 9-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Intel C3558R Atom Quad Core CPU, 8-32GB Memory, 2x 10GbE SFP, 1x 2.5GbE Port, PCIe Slot (TBC), 2yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $999-1099
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review May ’23:
Terramaster has really changed the playing field with the T9-450 NAS. I was already a big fan of their latest generation of 6-Bay, 9-Bay and 12-Bay desktop chassis – providing a pretty substantial amount of storage in a tower design that borrows ventilation methodology traditionally found in rackmounts, but the T9-450 takes this logic and doubles down on it hard. The dual 10GbE on the system means that, despite it’s comparatively modest price point (when comparing against similar scale solutions from Synology and QNAP) you genuinely have a solution with the potential to allow you to enjoy every single MB/s or GB/s of your RAID externally. This is further bolstered with additional 2.5GbE ports, m.2 NVMe bays, uncomplicated support of HDDs/SSDs and just generally a very sensible system that shows how much Terramaster has matured as a brand. The TOS software is still not quite up there with Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS in terms of ease of use and AAA+ features, but it is definitely a great entry point OS that has tighted it’s security since the brand was targetted by a ransomware group (along with other brands, they were affected by Deadbolt attacks) – it certainly lacks some of the background optimization of it’s competitors, but then this is reflected in the budget of the system too.
The internal PCIe slot that has been largely ignored is a bit of a missed opportunity and I am not a big fan of how they have addressed memory compatibility, but overall it is very, very tough to criticise the T9-450 NAS when you factor in the value of the package here. Factor in that you can very easily swap out the OS for many others, and it largely silences alot of the negatives here too. Overall, the T9-450 could potentially be the best NAS that Terramster has ever released and if they continue to address later releases with the same level of hardware value, this could definitely give the bigger names in the industry something of a headache down the road. I highly recommend this system for its value and performance potential!
8.8
Good Middle ground between a Rackmount and Desktop System
Dual 10GbE - LOVELY STUFF!
Also has support of SMB MultiChannel and an extra 2x 2.5GbE
Decent throughput Capable CPU
Great RAID Options
Snapshot Replication
BTRFS/EXT4 Support as preferred
A large amount of maximum memory supported (16-32GB - TBC)
M.2 SSD Bay inside for caching/storage
TOS 5.1 is genuinely good, if not quite as polished/evolved as it\\\'s competitors
VERY easy to install TrueNAS, UnRAID, Proxmox, OpenMediaVault, etc (and also easy to reverse)
Supports ECC Mmeory, but not included (might annoy some)
NOT QUIET!
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QNAP has quite an enviable stronghold on the entire Thunderbolt NAS market, and although a few brands have attempted to challenge their dominance in this area over the years, ever since QNAP first revealed their first Thunderbolt device back in 2017, they have gone from strength to strength and innovated wildly in this area with each iteration. The latest entry into this, the SSD-focused TBS-h574TX NAS system, is potentially the fastest and most powerful entry yet, focusing on the use of E1.S hot-swappable M.2 SSD storage and built using an Intel 13th generation core architecture. Is this TB4 and 10GbE equipped NAS the potential to wipe everyone else off the board? There are a lot of users still unsure whether this $2,000 NAS justifies its investment. So, until the full review is available, please enjoy this shorter-form review focusing on just the highlights (and the lowlights) of the QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS.
QNAP TBS-h574TX System Specifications:
The QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS emerges as an exceptional and uniquely compact yet robustly powerful system, offering outstanding performance and bandwidth capabilities. Its sleek and innovative design sets a new standard in the NAS market, particularly notable for its integration of advanced features like Thunderbolt 4 and a high-capacity 10G connection. These features are further enhanced by the utilization of cutting-edge E1.S/NVMe SSD storage, all seamlessly managed by a highly capable CPU architecture. This makes the TBS-h574TX not just a NAS, but a powerhouse of data management and connectivity. Especially appealing to photo and video editors, the NAS excels in aesthetics, portability, and functionality, making it a viable alternative to traditional portable direct-attached storage systems like LaCie or G-Tech. Its ability to support multi-user access and provide immediate local network connectivity straight out of the box adds to its versatility. Additionally, the system boasts a modest power supply and impressively efficient power consumption relative to the bandwidth it offers, highlighting QNAP’s commitment to balancing performance with energy efficiency.
However, users must note some trade-offs, such as the limitation in PCIe bandwidth for each of the SSD bays, and the fixed memory capacity. While these are necessary adjustments for its compact form, they are points for consideration. Despite these minor limitations, the 13th Gen Intel Core processor used in its configurations demonstrates QNAP’s dedication to incorporating top-tier technology, although there are more advanced CPUs in other models. This system is a testament to QNAP’s ability to innovate, offering a package that promises the high performance of larger NAS units but in a remarkably portable format. It raises the question: Is this the ideal NAS for everyone? Perhaps not. But for those seeking a high-performance, Thunderbolt-enabled NAS that combines portability with powerful capabilities, the QNAP TBS-h574TX is a formidable choice.
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If you are looking for a super-fast NAS, built on a powerful architecture, that’s supremely portable and supports the latest ports and connectivity, the TBS-h574TX NAS will likely serve you very well. But why specifically should you choose the TBS-h574TX NAS instead of many other devices on the market right now?
The TBS-h574TX is one of the very first desktop NAS devices to feature E1.S media bays. In the last few years, we have seen a growing trend towards the use of SSDs as the primary storage media for private servers and NAS devices, with some particular standout examples from both QNAP and Asustor focusing on M.2 NVMe SSDs. However, one major downside of M.2 NVMe use is that they do not support hot swapping. This means that in the event of a drive failure leading to a degraded RAID state or the need to introduce a newer and larger capacity drive to an existing storage pool, you are required to power down the system completely. Removing an M.2 NVMe from a system that is powered on will lead it to crash and can be detrimental to the health of both the system and the storage drive. E1.S SSD bays, however, fully support hot swapping in an identical fashion to that of traditional SATA storage drives.
Additionally, the QNAP TBS-h574TX arrives with E1.S storage bays, as well as NVMe adapters that allow you to use regular off-the-shelf M.2 NVMe in these storage spaces and still have access to hot swapping. E1.S drives allow for additional storage space and taller PCB SSD space to be afforded to the storage drives, and although the gains are generally only minimal in traditional 2280 length SSDs, overall the fact that this flash NAS system supports these more flexible SSD options is always going to be desirable.
I cannot stress enough how good the connectivity is on the TBS-h574TX. Although it is not the first QNAP NAS to arrive with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, it is definitely one of the smallest devices on the market to feature it. The TBS-h574TX features one Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port on the front for convenience, and an additional port on the rear. Not only can these be used to connect Thunderbolt storage to your NAS system, but more importantly, they allow a user to connect directly, point to point, from a Mac or Windows computer to the QNAP TBS-h574TX system. This opens the door to tremendous performance and, once you factor in the use of M.2 NVMe SSD storage, you are looking at some serious performance. QNAP reports the performance utilizing 5 Samsung 980 Pro SSDs in a RAID environment to hit 1700 megabytes per second for one connected device over Thunderbolt, and in excess of 3,000 megabytes per second for two connected Thunderbolt devices. That’s right, the support of Thunderbolt also allows multiple users to connect to the same storage space simultaneously, as well as the system supporting cross-platform file sharing, which allows the same storage area to be used simultaneously by both Mac and Windows users, regardless of the different operating systems in play.
Then, there is the inclusion of a 10GbE network port. This means that you can attach a third connected high-speed user over either a 10GbE network connection, or utilizing a Thunderbolt to 10G adapter available for around $150 to $200. Of course, you could use this port to connect the TBS-h574TX to a larger 10G equipped network and allow multiple users to enjoy full gigabit network saturation each, but I think a lot of portable users are going to enjoy the fact that a single area of high-speed intelligent storage can be connected to via three high-speed connections, all of which can edit on the fly. There is even an additional 2.5GbE port to connect the device to an existing network while all of this is going on, promoting network and internet shares.
All of this is made possible thanks to a very powerful Intel 13th Gen i5 or i3 CPU option, which is both highly efficient and powerful, thanks to its shrunk-down SOC mobile architecture. All of this adds up to an incredibly powerful system that is ready to reinvent the workflow of small to medium video editing workflows!
If you are looking for a storage device that needs to be portable, the TBS-h574TX is one of the best examples out there by this brand. Picture the scene: you and a small team of video or photo content creators are on the move, and after a long day of capturing content, you need to back up, edit, and/or distribute what you have created. Thanks to the small-scale stature of the QNAP TBS-h574TX, and its modest and small-scale 120-watt PSU, this system can be carried around very conveniently in a laptop bag and can be set up in minutes to allow multiple users to connect to either edit on the fly or back up from numerous different connected USB and Thunderbolt devices simultaneously.
That isn’t to say you can’t do that with most other NAS systems, but most other NAS systems arrive with clunky and fragile hard drives, have much larger power consumption requirements, or, more importantly, are considerably heavier. This system combats all three of these factors by being light, small, and exceedingly fast.
This is something that I really wish QNAP would do with a lot more of their releases. QNAP has offered for the last year or so access to their own cloud service that allows you to back up the data on your NAS to their first-party encrypted cloud and makes remote access a great deal more convenient to back up data, as well as providing a first-party secondary backup option. Any user can gain access to 16GB of free space, but after that, you have to pay subscription costs in order to gain more cloud storage space on the MyQ9 cloud service. However, the QNAP TBS-h574TX, almost certainly because of its larger focus on video/photo editors, arrives with one terabyte of cloud storage space available on a 12-month license.
This is going to be hugely appealing to those that not only want to access, edit, and back up their data as quickly as possible, but also want a streamlined second-level backup to be integrated into their system, and one terabyte is a hugely generous sum of storage to be offered with this device. Of course, after the one-year license has concluded, you will need to either remove your data from the cloud or pay a subscription fee to maintain it there, but nevertheless, it is great that they have offered this alongside the device, and I really wish they did this more with some of their production-ready systems.
The QNAP TVS-h874 NAS comes with a comprehensive software and services package, offering either QNAP QTS or QuTS (version 5.0.1) at initialization. This operating system, resembling Windows 11 and Android OS in design, supports hundreds of applications, services, and functions. It includes numerous mobile and desktop client applications for tailored data interaction. The software also features SSD-specific tools like anti-wearing for SSDs, better ZFS-HDD/SSD profiling, and options for storage, caching, or tiered storage. While QTS/QuTS is highly customizable, offering flexibility and user-friendliness, it does have a learning curve that may challenge novice users. Despite past security concerns, including ransomware attacks due to vulnerabilities in Linux and QNAP’s applications, improvements have been made in QTS/QuTS 5, making the system more secure and user-friendly.
QNAP’s TVS-h874 NAS excels in file management, security, storage management, multimedia handling, business tools, and surveillance. It offers sophisticated file management tools, improved security features with multi-layered protection, and diverse storage, backup, and synchronization options. The NAS supports a wide range of multimedia applications, including AI photo recognition and popular media servers like Plex. For business needs, it provides virtual machines, containers, and surveillance solutions like QVR Pro with extensive camera support. The TVS-h874’s software diversity, despite previous security issues, showcases a rich array of hardware configurations, services, and tools, solidifying its place as a versatile NAS solution. Further testing of its performance, particularly as a Plex Media Server and VM host, is upcoming on the NASCompares YouTube channel.
As good as all of the advantages mentioned above sound, realistically, the QNAP TBS-h574TX is a rather specialized piece of equipment, and it’s fair to say that not everyone is going to see all of its hardware and architecture as positives. So let’s go through five reasons why you might want to give the QNAP TBS-h574TX a miss and look elsewhere.
Despite the remarkably future-proof Intel 13th generation i3 and i5 processor featured inside the TBS-h574TX, the scaling down of this processor by Intel into a mobile processor form, and the requirements by QNAP to keep this system miniature yet still facilitate high bandwidth external connections, have all resulted in particular bottlenecks and compromises being made. Probably one of the most prominent compromises is in the bandwidth afforded to each of the individual E1.S NVMe media bays. Although this processor supports both PCIe Gen 4 and PCIe Gen 3, in order to get the lanes divided neatly across the system, each drive slot is limited to PCIe Gen 3 x2.
Utilizing SSD drives that make bold promises in excess of 3,000 megabytes per second, realistically each of these bays will not really be able to exceed 1500 or 1800 MB per second. In the correct RAID configuration, this should not prove to be much of a problem as you are still going to enjoy the multiplication factor of combining multiple read and write actions across each of the disks in the single RAID storage pool. Nevertheless, there are going to be users who would have hoped to see this system enjoy the PCIe Gen 4 architecture of bigger Thunderbolt devices like the H874T released in late 2023, which features a far more aggressive processor and a larger range of bays in its larger design.
I found it really peculiar that this system rolls out the gate with either 12 gigabytes or 16 gigabytes of fixed memory. The QNAP TBS-h574TX is not the first system to come out with prefixed soldered memory modules internally, and it won’t be the last! There are benefits to having memory fixed in this fashion, such as power efficiency, cost efficiency, and allowing the architecture of the processor and the number of channels it can handle to be better utilized. Nevertheless, this system is running a processor that can handle up to 64 gigabytes of memory, and because of the lack of an upgradable DIMM or SODIMM slot, you are limited to this base level amount throughout the system’s lifespan. 16 gigabytes is still a pretty reasonable amount of memory and more than enough to handle the majority of system processes, but the 12 GB of fixed memory on the i3 version just feels a bit weird and is an unusual memory quantity that feels like it was applied by design and not necessity.
The price tag of the QNAP TBS-h574TX is certainly going to put some users off. Arriving at around $1800-$2000, although in the realm of Thunderbolt NAS, this is a reasonable figure, outside of that, and for a 5x10G NAS, it does seem rather high. You do need to factor in that we are talking about a specialized flash system with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity and one of the most modern NAS processors in the market, but that price is certainly going to be tough for some. However, what is probably a little bit more interesting about this price point is what else you can get for this money from QNAP themselves if you look a little broader across their range of solutions. For example, for around $100 more you can pick up the QNAP TVS-h674T – This is the six hard drive and two Gen 4 NVMe tower system.
It arrives with a very similar processor, memory that can be expanded up to 64GB if needed, the SSD slots are Gen 4 x4, it has two Gen 4 PCIe upgrade slots with one of them at x16 speed, and the system even still arrives with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. You would lose out on the more compact nature of the TBS-h574TX system, have to spend a little more to get a 10GbE connection, and only have two SSD slots instead of five, but overall the 674T system is a better-tiered system for many and might serve as a better choice overall for some users.
This is a very minor point, but it has to be said – The QNAP TBS-h574TX is not a silent NAS system. QNAP has rolled out several silent or near-silent systems in the last few years, some of which carried the NASBook branding as seen here on the TBS-h574TX system, unfortunately, because of the largely metal construction of the TBS-h574TX and the fact that it features two rear cooling fans and a small internal CPU fan, the system does make noise when in operation. I should stress, this is still much, much quieter than the average system but there are still going to be users that are going to look at this system and hope that it is silent when in operation. Systems such as the HS-264 and TBS-464 are both genuinely silent or as near silent as possible systems from this brand, although it’s worth remembering that these are significantly less powerful and bandwidth-rich. Ultimately, QNAP has done a great job here balancing power, scale, and portability to fit all of this into such a small single casing. Just don’t be under the illusion that they managed to make the thing completely inaudible!
In 2021/2022, QNAP was one of several brands that were successfully targeted by the ransomware group Deadbolt. This resulted in thousands of systems from QNAP, Asustor, and TerraMaster being remotely encrypted, requiring payment of a ransom fee, costly data recovery services, or free but highly time-consuming data retrieval methods. You can read/watch more about it in the article HERE, but after this event, there was no avoiding that several brands were slightly tarnished with a reputation for being insecure remotely. The affected brands have all implemented numerous changes to their update and security protocols. Although the inherent vulnerabilities have never been truly identified for each individual brand, most believe it was a Linux-based vulnerability that remained unpatched, or at least a vulnerability that, if users did not update their system regularly, had been left open for exploitation. It still required a very specific range of circumstances for this exploit to be utilized by hackers, ranging from leaving network ports and router configurations open unsafely, to leaving certain SSH and administrative protocols enabled by default.
Nevertheless, after this event, QNAP, along with the other affected brands, updated how updates are delivered to the system, tightened default settings, and security protocols to ensure users would need to work harder to put their systems in unsafe states, ultimately resulting in a wake-up call for the NAS industry. This was several years ago, and although the QNAP NAS brand has improved considerably since then, it is still worth pointing out that they were impacted by this. I believe there is an important lesson to be learned here, and until at least 5 years have passed, I will mention this in every QNAP NAS review I do (as well as every Asustor and TerraMaster review too). Once again, you would need to manually place your system into a particularly unsafe state for any vulnerability to be exploited in this fashion. Additionally, a look at any of the security advisories from internet or network-connected platforms (Synology, Microsoft, Google, Apple, literally anyone!) shows that vulnerabilities on these platforms are regularly found by brands and white-hat hackers. The bottom line is, it’s important that buyers know about Deadbolt, but also keep in mind that in most instances, you would need to manually put your system into an unsafe state for particularly virulent ransomware and malware attacks to be effective.
The QNAP TBS-h574TX is a genuinely unique and impressive piece of equipment, potentially one of the best NAS systems I have ever seen! For such a compact and portable system, it manages to include a phenomenal amount of both internal and external performance and bandwidth – something that the majority of systems at this price point generally need to compromise on one aspect or the other. Additionally, QNAP continues to dominate the market of Thunderbolt NAS storage, and you can clearly see their innovation and improvement with each iteration of this technology – with the TBS-h574TX being one of the sleekest and most impressive entries into this product family. The Thunderbolt 4 on this system does exactly what QNAP says it will, providing huge performance numbers to connected users via this protocol, as well as an additional thousand megabytes per second through the 10G connection. Thanks to the utilization of E1.S/NVMe SSD storage, fully saturating all these connections simultaneously is indeed possible, all enabled by an incredibly impressive choice of CPU architecture that has the muscle to keep things moving in the backend.
Equally, as this system is largely focused on photo and video editors, it is beautifully presented and highly portable. It could easily replace portable LaCie or G-Tech direct-attached storage systems used by many on-site content creators, thanks to its support of multi-user access and local network connectivity right out of the box. Add to that a modest power supply and impressively low power consumption for the bandwidth offered, and this is one of the most beautifully put-together systems by this brand. Of course, when you start miniaturizing and reducing scale, compromises inevitably need to be made for reasons of power efficiency, temperature, and space. The downgrading of the PCIe bandwidth on each of the SSD bays is a necessary but still regrettable inevitability. Likewise, although I’m impressed by the 13th Gen Intel Core processor featured in both configurations available, there are better Intel CPUs already used in other QNAP Thunderbolt systems, and whether this was the reason or logic behind the fixed 12/16 GB memory still remains to be seen. There are definitely video editors who will be completely in love with this system, and you can see why: it promises everything that the larger boxes from QNAP have been offering for years, but in a scale that you can pop in your laptop bag on the go. Is this the perfect NAS? No. Is it the Perfect Thunderbolt NAS? Maybe!
PROs of the QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS | CONs of the QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS |
Exceptionally future-proof 13th Gen i3/i5 Processor (Mid-2023 series) with high end Int.Gfx
2x Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, one is front mounted for convenience Also features a 10GbE and 2.5GbE Connection for direct editing and/or high-speed local networking High internal and external performance and bandwidth for such a compact system Compact and portable, ideal for on-site creators to share and collaborate on-the-fly Enhanced security protocols post-Deadbolt ransomware attack. Wide range of multimedia and business tools. Equipped with QVR Pro for extensive surveillance and numerous Backup/Sync tools as standard. QuTS Has numerous ZFS based advantages + QSAL Antiwear leveling Supports AI photo recognition, AI Surveillance Tools, 4K/8K Plex Support and VM Tools. Arrives with 1TB of Cloud Space with MyQNAPCloudOne for 12 months. |
High price range of $1800-$2000. Check out the TVS-h674T for similar pricing and alternative Tiering/Bandwidth allocation
Limited PCIe bandwidth on SSD bays. Not a silent operation due to cooling fans. |
Choosing the right data storage solution for your needs can be very intimidating and it’s never too late to ask for help. With options ranging from NAS to DAS, Thunderbolt to SAS and connecting everything up so you can access all your lovely data at the touch of a button can be a lot simpler than you think. If you want some tips, guidance or help with everything from compatibility to suitability of a solution for you, why not drop me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as possible with what you should go for, its suitability and the best place to get it. This service is designed without profit in mind and in order to help you with your data storage needs, so I will try to answer your questions as soon as possible.
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The Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign, initiated by Arrowtrack in 2023, marked its first year as a significant entry in the realm of crowdfunding projects. This article aims to methodically dissect the unfolding events and key developments of this period, maintaining a neutral and factual stance throughout. Over these 12 months, the campaign navigated through various challenges and milestones, characteristic of many crowdfunded endeavors. Central to the whole campaigns woes were the reported financial difficulties encountered, notably the withholding of funds by the payment processor Stripe. This situation precipitated a series of delays in production and delivery, directly impacting the campaign’s trajectory. Concurrently, communication between Arrowtrack and its backers was a focal point, with periods of minimal updates and responses raising questions among the project’s supporters. Arrowtrack’s efforts to keep backers informed included regular updates on the production process, supplier negotiations, and hardware design adjustments. Despite these attempts at transparency, there remained an undercurrent of concern among backers regarding the campaign’s financial management and documentation.
This article attempts to present an unbiased chronicle of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign’s first year, tracing its highs and lows. It seeks to provide readers with a clear, unvarnished understanding of the events as they unfolded, reflecting the complexities and challenges inherent in the world of crowdfunding technology projects.
Currently, at the time of writing (Jan 5th 2024) the status of the Storaxa Kickstarter campaign is not entirely clear. Updates are arriving on average twice a month (based on an annual average). Delivery/fulfillment timelines are still tremendously vague, and communication between the campaign organization Arrowtrak/Storaxa and the 4,900+ backers has slowed down significantly with self-imposed deadlines and schedules being regularly broken. This campaign is still showing life and there is still more than enough evidence to backup that this is NOT a scam. However, long-running silence periods from the company, poor timekeeping and comparisons that are being drawn to other projects that have arisen in 2023 (both crowdfunded and straight to retail) have resulted in questions being asked and no answers being given. Let’s start right at the beginning and discussing what the Sotraxa IS/WAS and how the campaign started.
NOTE – You can watch the full 4 HOUR video that covers everything that happened in the first 12 months of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS Campaign HERE
What is the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS and why is it a big deal to alot of potential storage buyers? Well, let’s rewind a bit. If you want to own a private network attached storage (NAS) solution in your home or office, until relatively recently, you only really had two options. The easiest, but more expensive option is to buy a ready-to-go NAS solution from the likes of Synology or QNAP, which is a ready-to-go out-the-box, arriving with its own software and services included (more often referred to as a ‘turnkey’ solution). Alternatively, the more affordable option, but more technically challenging, is to build your own server (or repurpose old tech) and then install open-source software onboard, such as TrueNAS or UnRAID. One option easy but expensive, the other way is cheaper but features a substantially higher learning curve. So, what is the solution? Well, in the last year or two we have seen big increases in a 3rd option, a middle ground between Turnkey NAS and FULL DiY, in the form of NAS servers from companies such as Topton and CWWK (we reviewed one here), which are ready-built desktop NAS devices (CPU, Memory, OS SSD, etc), but either arriving completely OS-free or include popular Open-Source software preinstalled. These solutions not only arrive at an overall price point lower than turnkey NAS (which needs to factor in the software costs and continued technical/software support), but they more often than not arrive with even better hardware too. Better CPU choices, better default connectivity and all of this whilst allowing OpenSource software users to skip the whole ‘build the thing from scratch’ element and get thermal paste under their fingernails! So, what has the Storaxa Kickstarter got to do with this?
Well, because it arrives as one of the most compelling examples of this growing 3rd option open to potential NAS buyers that we have seen. With the Kickstarter campaign arriving at frankly incredibly low price points, even when compared against the numerous alternatives available on Aliexpress etc, as well as a dual OS (proxmox) and Dual network management/NAS architecture too thanks to WiFi antenna, few NAS solutions have promised to delivery so much for so little. So, what’s the catch? Well, Kickstarter! Like any crowdfunded project, the solution is a crowd-funded project that lacks the guarantee of a refund if the campaign is unsuccessful or suitable recompense if the eventual product does not meet its promises. So, thanks to alot of regular subscribers to the YouTube channel highlighting this project, doubts in the air around pricing, all alongside some interesting back-and-forth with the creators, I want to follow the progress of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS right to when/if it crosses the finish line. Maybe it will be the breaking point for a new kind of solution that established names in the industry wake up and smell the coffee over? Maybe it will not and these videos and paragraphs will simply form a record of what when right and what went wrong. Regardless, it will be interesting to find out!
The initial campaign from the Storaxa group for this NAS was made up of several elements. It arrived with a production video that made the system look easy to use and access, not uncommon in this kind of kickstart project presentation. The initial general outlined specifications were:
Base/Entry Storaxa NAS Specifications
The design is pretty much the main thing that stood out. The actual casing, at least as far as a 5x SATA bay chassis) is fairly standard, but it is only when you factor in the additional 4x M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD bays and twin rear dual band antenna that the unique design that is being proposed here standards out notably.
Sketches and 3D plans of the Stroaxa NAS chassis were shown, as well as a breakdown of the main component placement on the internal motherboard were also shown. This was one area where questions arose around PCIe lane distribution and potential heat concerns around the project. Some of these concerns were answered in the comments section, whilst others were approached in the backers-only section. Kind of odd that
Here is the breakdown of the hardware in the base line Storaxa NAS (further configurations were rolled out later on after a backer poll was conducted):
Hardware Specifications of Initially Proposed System:
Here is a similar board below, from the Storaxa pages:
Now, as mentioned, Storaxa has stated that they are using an existing hardware architecture for the internals of the Storaxa, providing a few examples of the architecture and references deep in the comments section. Long before this though, blogs and forums (once again, I have to give props to Reddit and STH here) had already called out that it was likely the boards used in Mini PCs under the TopTon and CWWK branding. An example of which we reviewed – CWWK AIO-T6 6-Bay NAS Review. Bang For Buck? (Massive Review and Hardware Breakdown) HERE on NASCompares
For a closer look at how the CWWK AIO-TT6 NAS looks, you can use the gallery below.
Alternatively, you can watch the video review below (SELF PLUG ALERT!!!):
Following repeated questions by some users about the background of the team,, the team appeared on a video published on a backer-only update on the 9th Feb ’23:
Additionally, It is worth highlighting that they had already detailed their key members in the initial Kickstarter presentation (repeated below):
The Storaxa NAS Team Members:
In a backers-only update, there was further information on the Plex Media server performance of the Soraxa, in an unlisted YouTube video. Again, it is good to see some test benchmarks and user case information to relate with, but these videos being unlisted still seemed unnecessary. Original text below from Feb 3rd:
Testing Plex with AMD 5825U
The easiest way to run Plex on Storaxa, is to install the Plex app in the Truenas-SCALE official app catalog. To ensure the system is not constrained by memory, we installed 64GB of RAM, and assigned 50+ to the TrueNAS-SCALE VM. We prepared H.264 30fps 1080p videos, and stream at 720p so as to force Plex to transcode. The streaming client is a MacBook pro connected via an ethernet cable. We managed to run six player instances simultaneously, each playing a different video, without noticeable stutter.
It is worth remembering that alot of the information above was to only backers, which is still rather odd and only reasons of patent/IP protection might cover this – but it would be an odd stance to take on only the smaller % of the details. Nevertheless, I want to remain optimistic. It is not impossible that the Storaxa can be released and be a good product for the price point, but we are still talking pretty thin margins! For example, a similar Topton/CWWK/etc board can be purchased with the same N6005 CPU, SSD and 8GB of memory for £246 (so, approx $339) on Aliexpress. There are lots of differing examples under different brand names, but here is an example:
And the baseline Storaxa NAS (no add-ons, just the Intel Pentium N6005, 120/128GB NVMe, WiFi 6 module and 16GB of memory) comes in at $274. And that also has to include the casing, antenna, testing, time spent with software installation and testing/Q.C (PLus that free 32GB Memory card too now). Even if you factor in the profit margin that sellers on AliExpress need to factor in per sale vs the savings made possible by bulk buying by Storaxa team at the production level – that still leaves a remarkably narrow profit margin. It was this, plus the comments sent my way, odd presentation inconsistencies (nothing big, but blips here and there) that led to the video below:
When the Kickstarter concluded, it passed all stretch goals and at the time of writing, the stats are:
“5,917 backers pledged $1,924,001 to help bring this project to life.”
Regarding the Pledge Manager (for users to customize/confirm their order), it arrived a week later than expected, as Storaxa stated Pledgebox recommended aiming for the 25th Feb, so funds would be appropriately wired over and to eliminate errors when exporting backer pledges from Kickstarter to PledgeBox). Additionally, there were further breakdowns on the Storaxa page regarding the Schematics and Main board/layout of each configuration, detailed as follows:
Before we start, here is a schematic diagram of the main board with the key components. Please click on the image to view the diagrams for all the other CPU configurations. You can refer to these diagrams to help you choose your options. For experts and backers with advanced knowledge on NAS, these may be enough.
After several requests for updated videos of the system being connected and from multiple angles, the following was provided in the backers-only area and via unlisted videos:
Uncut, Unedited Demo
Here is the uncut unedited demos as requested. We included a different angle to show all the cables and you can see that WiFi is disconnected and nothing is under the Storaxa. It can be viewed in 4K so you can see everything clearly.
As per further updates and details on the stretch goals that were hit during the progression of the campaign, they proposed that they would include an additional 32GB SD Card with all Sotraxa purchases after the campaign hits $1.9 Million (which it did). Their original update:
Also we have decided on the Stretch Goal #5. For the final stretch goal, we want to add something that won’t increase the SKU and something that everyone can benefit from. Once we hit $1.9 million, we will include one 32GB microSD card with the recovery image for all Storaxa units. You can use it to store snapshots and since you can always leave it in the slot, it won’t be easy to lose.
Regrding shipping, Staraxa state that they worked with a backer volunteer to test ship an item as a demonstration of the means of shipping to the EU and that it was received without any additional tax/customs payments being required:
One of the most asked questions was about extra VAT, customs and taxes that backers will need to pay regarding shipment to the EU. We have already explained that our forwarder has included all customs and taxes in their quotation and they will send it in a way to avoid extra charges to the recipient. During one of these discussions, a backer volunteered to help us test this shipping method to see if any additional VAT was charged. We were contacted by that backer yesterday after she received the package without any extra VAT.
The Storaxa timeline has now shifted forward, with pledges stated at 82% of completion as of 27/03. Likewise, the timeline has now been updated on the project by the Storaxa team:
Users who had access to the Pledge manager were given a considerable number of options with regard to customizing their Storaxa, with detailed pricing throughout. There were reported payment issues and bank authentication issues, but these were PlexBox/PlegeManager related. If a user wanted to stick with the default configuration (Intel N6005, 16GB DDR4, WiFi6, 120GB SSD, 2.5Gx4), The Lowest Priced Storaxa NAS Configuration remained at $274:
However, the range of configurations was surprisingly diverse.
Configuration Options – Wireless Module #1
Configuration Options – OS Drive #2
Configuration Options – CPU Choice #3
Configuration Options – Network Connectivity Choice #4
Configuration Options – Memory Capacity Choice #5
If you wanted to scale the Storaxa up to the maximum configuration of the system (Intel i7-1265U, 64GB DDR4, WiFi6e, 2TB SSD, 10Gx2, 2.5Gx2), that increased the price by $390, making the Highest Priced Storaxa NAS Configuration at $664:
There were also additional options for adding additional Storaxa NAS systems, storage media, spare PSUs and drive adapters.
The Optional Add ons and Media Choices Available:
So, if you wanted to opt for the Storaxa system with 20TB Seagate Ironwolf Pro’, 4TB WD Black SN850X PCIe4 SSDs and spare Boot disk, the Maximum Specification Storaxa System was priced at $2899.
For perspecitve, the QNAP TVS-h874 8-Bay NAS (no media included, 32GB, no 10GbE) is currently priced at approx at $2498 (one example below):
That is a huge saving indeed. This once again makes me want to hope that devices like this can/do happen and can give biggest/etablished names in the NAS industry pause for thought!
Elsewhere. there was continued back and forth regarding concerns about the CWWK board and the diminished SATA speed potential vs the bandwidth/lane allocation across the system (Most detailed example HERE). The Storaxa Team responded 5 hours later, highlighting that the default/baseline configuration will have these more limited bandwidth issues. This is something that many more experience tech users/builders had postulated earlier in the crowdfunding stages, but less experienced users or those less familiar with CWWK/Topton systems seen online might have been less aware. This is another one of those points of presentation where the simplicity of the solution in the initial Kickstarter videos and bullet points have glossed over the capabilities of a system at this pricepoint:
Below was our March update that goes into more detail about the pledge manager and pricing comparisons:
The March/April period also saw the Arrotrack/Storaxa site go live. Though in an early skeleton form that largely copied the content of the Kickstarter campaign (though the March 31st update was now publically visible)
The domain ownership appears to be alot older, but according to waybackmachine the site has only really seen active changes in the last month or so (understandable).
One notable thing is that although the number of unique and available pages was limited, the Fulfillment and Returns page is completed. This is quite surprising, given that the device has yet to or even finished production. This might seem a bit ‘cart before the horse has bolted’, but one could also argue that this is a further positive move by them that underlines that they intend to fulfill, but are also aware of the thin-ness of their profit margins to withstand cancellations at the 11th hour.
April (and very late March) saw two main updates to the Storaxa Kickstarter campaign, as well as two updates to the project timeline. This was also combined with a few questions surrounding the business address of Arrotrack (the company that Storaxa creators are trading under).
There have been several references to the project being slightly delayed (not unusual with Kickstarters) and also a few extra details surrounding the regional delivery plans. The key updates from Storaxa though surrounded confirmation of the AMD layout and changes to the Intel schemes.
Due to a change in the Intel Storaxa board layouts and specification support, Storaxa confirmed that those opting for the higher-end configurations would have an upgrade from DDR4 to DDR5 Memory. This was largely down to these boards not supporting DDR4 memory, but nonetheless, a welcome bonus for those affected.
There was also a discussion of Storaxa plans post-fulfilment, with Storaxa clearly indicating that they plan on continuing production after fulfilment of Storaxa Kickstarter units concludes. Hopefully, this occurs after ALL backers have been satisfied, as it is not unheard of for some Kickstarter campaigns to introduce late-stage outside retail options in order to financially support the initial Kickstarter pledges, which might have been priced incorrectly. Again, there is NO INDICATION of this and it is perfectly normal/sensible for them to keep an eye on the future. Indeed, its actually a positive sign in many respects that they are thinking long term.
Talking of long-term thinking and planning, I have to give them credit for sharing some of the background finance matters of the project with backers. As the initial pledges and additional sums garnered by the dynamic pledgebox have rapidly increased the campaign total, Stripe (the financial management in the middle) has opted to hold 50% of the collected funds until the fulfilment of orders begins (for reasons of product and backer satisfaction). This is not unusual and quite a useful safeguard when followed correctly by the intermediary parties, but it is good that Storaxa showed this exchange. I would still have preferred these to not be behind ‘backer only updates’ and it doesn’t change anything regarding fulfilment commitments, beyond the 2nd 50% of collected funds – but it’s still a positive move by them to share this.
There is, of course, the argument that they lose nothing by sharing this and gain goodwill by doing so, but it’s still a net positive. This is what they had to share:
“The result of the review is that Stripe will hold 50% of the funds from PledgeBox until fulfillment begins. Based on the payment terms outlined in the supplier contract, Stripe will distribute payments in the following manner: 50%, 35%, and 15%. We will keep Stripe updated with our mass production status in order to release the funds. For different components, we have to pay a deposit of 60% to 80%. For the main board we only need to pay a 50% deposit for mass production. Although we didn’t expect any funds to be held by Stripe when they asked for the review, the total funds from Kickstarter (100%) and Pledgebox (50%) is enough for all deposits.” – Storaxa, April 12th Update
Storaxa also showed the current balance of funds collected at the time of writing:
Lots of positive reception to this move (with merit) and high praise for this transparent move.
The manufacturer had completed the CAD of the main board for the pre-production sample.
As previously mentioned, there layouts for the internal boards for the Storaxa for each configuration have started arriving and they stated that due to hardware shortages, there would need to be component changes:
“There is a delay for the upgraded Intel CPU schematic. The manufacturer discovered that there is a shortage for some of the parts in the design. So they need to change to parts with a more stable supply. All main features remain unchanged. It will be ready after April 3. We will publish an update once that is ready. This does not delay mass production. Backers who wish to see the schematics before finalizing their choices can rest easy, because the survey deadline is extended to end of April. ” – Storaxa, March 31 Update
Later in a 2nd April 2023 update, they went on to show the system block diagram that factored in these component changes. These included upgrades to a DDR5 memory channel (which would lead to the free DDR5 upgrades mentioned above).
(later in the April 19th Update)
One slight fly in the ointment during the campaign this last month or so arose regarding the business address of Storaxa/Arrotrack. The campaign creators sharted a draft of the invoice that they would be using for finished order fulfilment and the address for this China/HK-based company had changed to a U.S/Denver address:
To confirm, the invoice stated ‘360 S Quitman StreetDenver CO, 80219 US’ and the original Arrotrack company was Unit 1113, 11/F, Global Gateway Tower, 63 Wing Hong Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong. This was confirmed in their own company documentation provided below:
A quick Google of the new U.S register address showed a slightly underwhelming business location:
This did raise a few concerns in the comments section and (far play) to Storaxa; they were not being secretive about this address/location. Answering direct questions about this in the comments:
They did go on to further clarify reasoning for this, stating that it was needed in order to proceed with a crowdfunding campaign, due to local restrictions imposed on Chinese companies. The duality of the registered addresses was for reasons of finance and handling returns/shipping.
Below is the timeline for the first half of April and everything, bar the pre-production samples being shared directly with backers (direct images and real-world examples) was correct.
At the start of April 2023, we asked Tom @Lawrence Systems for his perspective on the project, it’s viability and his initial thoughts. It is worth highlighting that this was presented his immediate perspective and without any additional research on his part.
May 2023 saw 4 official Updates by the Storaxa team on their Kickstarter campaign, mainly focusing on the changing of the system PSU from an external model to an external one, and the Pledgebox credit/payment issues.
This goes into a lot more detail for the reasons for/against, as well as the logic they outline in their decision, but this quote below summarizes it best:
“After careful consideration and evaluation, we have decided to use an external GaN power supply with a 5.5*2.5 barrel jack in 140W/180W/200W depending on the chosen CPU (N6005/5825U/1235U,1256U). GaN (gallium nitride) is a new technology that allows for smaller, more efficient, and cooler power supplies. It has several advantages over traditional silicon-based power supplies, including higher efficiency, faster switching speeds, and smaller size. A Type-C PD power supply was not chosen because of the higher cost we couldn’t fit into our budget. The power supply will be external, which will allow for more space in the case for better thermal management and air circulation for heat dissipation. This also gives users more space for customization inside the case. And it is easier to replace the power supply if needed. We have several suppliers lined up and will decide on the final one soon. Here are some images of the potential power supply. It is meant to plug directly into a power socket. It has a C6 socket, so you can also choose to use it like a power brick by using it with standard C5 cable (not included). The power supply will only come with the plug suitable for your delivery location.” – Storaxa Team, Update 19, May 25th 2023
They also supplied an updated system build graphic to detail the case in progress and adjusted layouts:
May 22nd also saw an update on the motherboard that is intended for the baseline N6005 Pentium models, with the stated arrival of the production sample for testing and assessment. See below:
As pleasing as this way, I was more concerned with the production and information on the casing for the Storaxa system, as that is one fo the truly unique elements of this system. How the change to an external PSU and the difference in architecture between the configurations impacting the case cooling/shape was also addressed in this same May 2023 update:
“Getting the first sample is a critical milestone because it lets us finalize the case design. The case sample will be ready in the week of June 5, 2023. Our plan has always been to use the same case for all the different versions of Storaxa. This is so that all units have a uniform appearance and also it will help save on production costs. However, with the introduction of the higher-performance versions, the power supply unit had to increase. And with the increased wattage, we also struggled with thermal management. Moving the power supply outside was the best solution. We thought about keeping it inside for the basic model, but decided against it because it will be easier to have the same case and it will be easier for assembly and repair. The external power supply has many positives. There is more room inside for air circulation for heat dissipation and also gives users more space for customization inside. It can also be replaced more easily.” – Storaxa Team, Update 18, May 22nd 2023
The Storaxa Group continue:
“The new case has three easy-access openings, two on top and one at the bottom. The top ones are for the 4 M.2 slots and the boot drive. The bottom is for access to the main board with the DDR RAM and the 2 onboard M.2 slots. The side air vents are also larger for better air flow. Since the power supply has moved, the main board is also raised, leaving more space for personalization and airflow. This means the ports in the back are all raised higher.” – Storaxa Team, Update 18, May 22nd 2023
They have updated their current projected timeline with the shipping of the first wave of solutions in the 2nd half of July (see blow):
The last 30 Days or so of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign (going into the 15th May) have been a fantastic mix of good news, bad news and just plain odd news. Although the Storaxa team have continued to respond to comments and enquiries, they have certainly been a little less prompt. That said, between the evolution of the campaign as it moves through the proposed production timeline and a couple of the hurdles that will be covered in this May update, there might be reason enough for these. Let’s go through all the updates (both project-published ones and those made in the comments).
Pretty much the big topic that has been bubbling around the Storaxa Kickstarter in this period was the Pledgebox manager not factoring in payments previously made to people’s existing backing sums. In short, a % of users found that their initial payments had been ignored and new ‘balance due’ messages had appeared. It is still not certain how many users were affected by this out of the 5,917 backers of the project (though some backers took to reddit to try and poll the numbers of those affected/unaffected), but clearly, this issue was big enough to be raised and referred to a decent amount in the comments. This is the image provided by Storaxa in their update to denote how the issue appeared to those affected users:
What caused this issue in the Pledge manager is still unclear, but Storaxa/Arrotrack did address this in their project update on May 2nd:
“We apologize for a new issue on PledgeBox that crossed out the bonus amounts of backers’ pledges from Kickstarter. If you are experiencing this issue, please wait patiently as we try to fix all the affected accounts within one week. There is no magic button to fix all the accounts at once, so we need to do it individually. Please understand that we may not be able to reply to all your messages, emails, and comments, as we are focused on resolving this issue. This issue does not affect how we will fulfill your rewards so we kindly ask for your patience as we fix this.” – Storaxa Update #16 HERE
This seemingly continued to be raised in the comments section and although individual queries were addressed by the group in the general comments section, it wasn’t until May 15th that we saw the issue fully confirmed as resolved by Storaxa in a full backers only update:
“The issue with the subtracted Kickstarter bonus has been resolved. Thank you backers for your patience as we fixed the problem. If we missed anyone with this issue, please don’t hesitate to reach us so we can fix it.” – Sroaxa Update #17 HERE
The board that is to be used inside the Storaxa (though differing fractionally in each CPU Config) had only really been shown in schematic, Diagram and CAD form up to this point and understandably, many users had been chasing for updates on this. Although already volunteered by Storaxa that the board use was being produced by the same manufacturer as the likes of Topton/CWWK NAS systems, real world examples of the mainboard for the Storaxa were still ‘coming soon’. So, with that in mind, the initial update for this on May 2nd was a little bitter-sweet.
Although they showed a board in the update (which had been promised already), it was highlighted that mistakes in the layout had been recognized and therefore more work/time was needed for completion:
“The manufacturer tested the first print of the mainboard last week and discovered that there were some mistakes in the layout. Since it is Golden Week holiday here, the factory will be on break this week. The new samples for testing will be ready next week. We will continue monitoring their work and update you about the progress” – Storaxa Update #16 HERE
Fast forward two weeks and we saw the next update, which included images of the ready-soldered and prepared board for the default N6005 board. Arriving somewhere between the design of the N6005 board HERE and J6412 board HERE on Aliexpress, the photos are a little oblique. I appreciate that Storaxa state the manufacturer has supplied these, but a top-down angle would have been nice. Still, better something than nothing:
There is no avoiding that there has been contention in the response to this update regarding the main board of the storaxa NAS. The first issue for many was that the Intel N6005 model is the entry-level device and many of the much higher configurations (who have paid considerably more into this project since the Pledgebox option appeared) have been left to wait. Now, on the one hand, given that the Kickstarter began with pledging on the initial N6005 configuration, it makes sense that chronologically that would be the first thing to be on the timeline for production. But given the scale of the upgraded components (significantly more power-hungry processors, 10GbE, Gen 4 SSDs, etc) in this compact chassis on boards that are not available right now on AliExpress etc right now, it’s understandable why users opting for these more unique configurations are wondering about their system delivery window.
The other hardware change that has occured in the recent project update was one that many had already raised early in the campaign (myself included), regarding the PSU. Storaxa have opted to remove the PSU from the internal casing of the device and opting for an external PSU (with a promise to elaborate more on this in the next project update). Now, on the face of it, I have always been a fan of external PSUs. They are easier to replace and in some cases, can remove internal heat generation and/or restrictive airflow blocking in more compact systems (more in the case of bare-PSUs, not blocks). However, in the case of the more aggressive system configurations, this might well result in quite large PSUs and add this also raises the question of external PSU quality. That was always a factor in ANY PSU, but ask anyone who has ever purchased a cheap PSU for their GFX-Card laptop or external PCIe Box on eBay/Ali and they will discuss ‘noisy’ PSUs or those that just feel ‘unsafe’. This is pure conjecture right now of course and until the PSU in question is shared in an update, it’s way to early to complain. But some users are definitely less keen on external power bricks in bigger NAS systems, as that can also result in an easy-to-disconnect power connection or extra part to lose!
The above changes regarding the system board and possibly due to the impact of the Pledge Manager issues requiring attention (again, an assumption on my part) have led to Storaxa highlighting delays to shipping an order fulfilment in this campaign. Initially, shipping was timeline’d to start in Mid-June, but now looks like the end of July:
“We have been working diligently with our manufacturer to complete the designs and samples of the main boards. Even though our manufacturer started work earlier than scheduled, not all the pre-production samples will be completed on time within the 45 days stated in our contract. They have explained to us that ever since our campaign, they have become more busy and received even more orders. The estimated dates were accurate but due to not enough man power, any mistakes and redesign delayed the samples. The production time of assembling the units will not be affected. They have been very accommodating during this whole process, so we believe that they are sincere and tried their best to keep to our schedule. Due to the bottleneck in completing the pre-production samples, the shipping date will be delayed for 30 days. We apologize for this inconvenience and we thank you for your patience and understanding.” – Storaxa Update #17 HERE
Delays in Kickstarter campaigns are hardly unusual and fair play to them for, at the very least, raising it now. It’s still going to be disappointing for many, but after many users quering the shipment date, this is something to go on.
A rather odd point and one that was raised in the comments of the Kickstarter comments for the Storaxa was that the domain for the Arrotrack company (the group producing the Storaxa) had a very, very short domain registration time remaining. In my last update (in the April Update below) I highlighted that Arrotrack and Storaxa has a website up and running that had further information on the updates made available to non-backers, details of the company (something of a debate there that was discussed) and information regarding terms of returns and support. Well, that domain was registered on 23/05/20 but seemingly is going to expire on 23/05/23.
Now, this in itself is not the end of the world. Notwithstanding that this is not directly connected to the Kickstarter campaign, the company could be moving to a new domain and letting this expire (since realizing a new domain and site was needed). Likewise, they could be running the clock out on it to exchange it’s ownership to a new party. Nevertheless, it’s an odd little thing.
One matter that increased in the comments of the Kickstarter campaign comments of the Storaxa over the last couple of months was to do with the price of storage media. When the Pledgebox manager for Storaxa NAS went live, one of the additional configuration options included adding SATA HDD/SSD media and PCIe Gen 3/4 m.2 NVMe SSD Media. However, since these options were first made available and priced, the general cost of alot of these drives (and other alternative drives that were not included in the Pledgebox from 3rd parties, location dependant) have seen noticeable decreases. So, many users wanted to know if reductions in the cost of drives would be reflected in their purchases (i.e. partial refunds?). Storaxa addressed this in their mid-May update:
“Due to the delay in completing the main boards, the delivery of the accessories such as SSD and HDD will also be delayed. Although we already paid the deposit, we were able to renegotiated with our supplier to give us a discount on the drives if the prices drop. In the event that market prices drop lower than our previous negotiated price, we will receive a discount. In turn, we will offer that same discount to backers who have added the drives to their pledges and refund the difference to you.” – Storaxa Update #17 HERE
Now, fair play to Storaxa. very few would have expected them to refund these savings. Mainly as the quantity of HDDs and SSDs would have likely been quoted and paid partially/fully at Distribution shortly after the closing of the Pledgebox. These are all still promises and considerations that are being outlined on a crowdfunding project that has still not (at the time of writing) shown details on money in/out on the media ordered, or final shipping devices. But this is nonetheless a positive stance to take in this update and one that I wanted to highlight in my updates.
Here is my round-up of the updates above (and a few of the April updates), all in one video. Enjoy!
June saw three updates from Storaxa on the production of their system (the first larger than the two that followed, but all three addressed new information). The main subjects covered with the new intended Shipping Test, are fulfilment of the SD Card stretch goal (part of the shipping test), errors and issues encountered at production and planned tutorials and guides. There was also updated information on the GaN external Power Supplier, it’s a 19V supply with a 5.5*2.5 barrel jack in 140W/180W/200W depending on the chosen CPU (N6005/5825U/1235U,1256U).
“It is meant to plug directly into a power socket. It has a C6 socket, so you can also choose to use it like a power brick by using it with standard C5 cable. The power supply will only come with the plug suitable for your delivery location. After getting your feedback from the last update, we will include the C5 cable for your convenience.” – Storaxa Team, Update 19, June 7th 2023
The early June update started on a positive note, with the announcement that the production samples of the AMD 5825 controller board on their #20 update. This was a little soured for some by the additional note that the Intel board configuration systems had fallen behind schedule:
“We are proceeding with production now. However, the upgraded Intel main boards are behind schedule. By starting with two versions first, we can avoid delayed production overall. As long as the upgraded Intel board samples are ready within two weeks, we can stay on the delivery schedule for end of July.” – Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023
Still, this was good news for those backers who had opted for one fo those AMD config choices. However, this was a little short-lived, when comments from the Storaxa group highlighted that they had hit a tech roadblock pertaining to the detection of the M.2 NVMe.
Twelve days later, in the June 19th Update, the Storaxa team highlighted that an issue was recognized in the AMD 5825 board:
“During testing of the AMD 5825 main board, the 4 top M.2 slots could not be read or detected. After further testing, we discovered that something went wrong during SMT and there was a problem with one of the resistors on the main board that affected the recognition of the ASM2812X chip PCB. We are fixing this now. This is not a big problem and it will be fixed in a week. Once it is complete, we can continue with testing and production.”– Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023
Later in their final update of June, they did state that the SMT issue had been resolved:
“The AMD 5825 main board has finished SMT. The problem with the unrecognized ASM2812X chip has been fixed and testing and production can continue. The upgraded Intel versions can proceed after this.” – Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 30th 2023
In the early stages of the kickstart campaign, when alternative versions of the Storaxa configuration, rewards and stretch goals were being shared, one thing that was discussed was an SD card for every backer that contained the system recovery image (dependent on the OS choices across both elements of the system).
Although it became quickly clear that providing an ‘one for all’ system image for the SD card become untenable, they stated that they will provide the means to download these at launch, but use the SD cards for every backer as a means to test shipping:
“Since before our campaign started we tried our best to quote the lowest price for shipping to keep the price of Storaxa as low as possible. We didn’t give up that search even until after the campaign so we can keep the add-on and extra units shipping cost low too. We found a logistics company that quoted prices that we couldn’t believe. This would be very good for us because we can save some costs, but we didn’t think it was safe enough to entrust them with your rewards which ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, they assured us they have global coverage and can ensure the safe delivery of all rewards. To back up their proposal, they are willing to do a shipping test to show us they can handle all our orders. Due to this, we are happy to announce we will conduct a shipping test by sending you the free 32GB microSD unlocked in the final stretch goal ahead of schedule. This test will show us the reliability of this new service and also serve as a practice run of fulfillment. We will start sending it out on June 15. It will take around 7 – 14 business days to be delivered. – Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023
This still led to the question of less experienced users who wanted to have a recovery/initial-boot SD Card for this system, two of which Storaxa stated the following:
“We originally stated that the microSD card will come with a system recovery image for your Storaxa. However, after careful consideration, due to the fully customization feature of the Storaxa, no single image will fit everyone’s purposes. Therefore, we will send you a blank card so you can create the image right for you with the instructions below. (We will post the instructions again after you receive your Storaxas). We are starting to make the tutorial videos this week. We will film some demos to teach the basics on how to install and run the software for the Storaxa. The videos will be posted on our Youtube channel. We will start with some simple videos first and ask for your feedback before we move on to tutorials for the more advanced uses of Storaxa.” – Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 19th 2023
Storaxa is stated to arrive with the system pre-installed and pre-configured, so you can plug in the network/power cables and drives, and start using it. Storaxa boots to Proxmox VE, which hosts 2 virtual machines, which respectively has TrueNAS-SCALE, and OpenWRT installed.
We cover this and more in our June Update video below:
Right at the tail end of the month (31st July to be precise), Storaxa rolled out an update that was largely centered around 4 videos of the system (in a component-out state) being demo’d. The specifications for the unit and client machine they state are the testing system are:
The system board seemed to be connected via a standard multilane to SATA adapter, though I couldn’t quite 100% confirm the means that the 3x m.2 NVMe bays were connected (clear cable type there though). The testing Mac book was connected via a Thunderbolt3-to-10GbE adapter. The first test was a 10GbE transfer test (video here):
Next, there was a straightforward copy/paste into a RAIDZ1 (i.e comparable ZFS alternative to RAID 5). Video HERE, but result screen below:
Finally, there was a session of Plex testing, with three videos being streamed at once in H.265 and H.264. Again, the video is HERE.
Also, the Memory cards that formed one of the stretch goals from the initial Kickstarter campaign (more on that shortly) have started to arrive in Europe. The card from my pledge arrived on July 31st via Royal Mail, no signature was required but was trackable from Hong Kong onwards.
Rewinding back to the very start of the month, July started quiet – REAL quiet! In fact, it was unusually quiet times for Storaxa, with a period of over 2 weeks of Storaxa no longer responding to public comments or producing any updates. This was eventually addressed in the comments, backers section, on Reddit and more by concerned users who had noticed the sudden gear change.
That said, things seemingly returned to normal in the 2nd half of 2023, returning to a lot of those older comments, including my own (shown before/after), with apologies and highlights that a bigger update will be coming at the end of the month:
Last month, Storaxa detailed that as a move to test shipping fulfilment in preparation for the eventual full Storaxa shipment and test the company shipping companies’ rather impressive delivery quotation, they would send backers their stretch goal included 32GB SSD Card (quote below from the June Update).
“We are starting the shipping test this week. Please expect to receive the package in 10 to 20 days. We will email you the tracking number through the PledgBox system within one week of sending out. This test will help us as a test run for when when we ship your Storaxas and also help us test the flexibility of shipping your rewards in different patches. We received mixed feedback about this test, but we feel this will help us to ensure you receive your rewards safely without additional costs.” Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 19th 2023
Cards began arriving in mid-July and it quickly became clear that these were being shipped by region/country/continent, with the U.S (likely the largest % of backers being located) being the first to state they had received the cards:
Additionally, some incredibly kind users (such as u/AkaiYui97 on Reddit, credit for images below), shared the contents of the Storaxa SD card delivery.
That said, not everyone (at the time of Writing, July 30th 2023) has received their SD card and it looks like Europe has been one of the last in the list of regions shipped to. Again, most likely a % based staged shipping method based on the locations of backers.
Now, on the face of it, we are talking about an SD card here… with an exceptionally low value. Although in itself a very low-value item, it’s worth remembering that these cards were shipped as a test of the shipping company and prospected fulfilment. Also, several users highlighted that the SD cards had tracking information indicating that they were received in Hong Kong in the last full week of July.
At the time of writing, the SD cards for the UK/Europe have started to be trackable and users might well see their cards arriving during the course of this week (31/07 – 4/08), as indicated by the tacking below.
Another point worth touching on, and one that was certainly anticipated by many, was the officially stated delay of the Storaxa first fulfilment from 2nd Half of July to the 2nd Half of September. How this will impact users based on their configuration choice and global location is yet to be elaborated upon (there IS an update stated to arrive on July 31st, which might address this), but for now, the project is now slated for later in 2023. Not a huge surprise and not unusual for Kickstarter.
The final statement from Storaxa regarding the updated timeline was as follows:
“The production timeline is the same as last update. Mass production will begin in September and shipping will start in the second half of September. All major parts and components have been ordered and will arrive before that time. The case and chassis sample is arriving at the end of this week so we can show that to you soon too.” – Storaxa Team, Update #24, 1st Aug
In recent developments regarding the Storaxa NAS by Arrowtrack, a series of unexpected challenges have emerged, primarily involving financial delays and fund withholding by the payment processor, Stripe. As backers eagerly await the product’s release, Arrowtrack has been surprisingly transparent about the situation, providing updates on every facet from supplier negotiations to production adjustments. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key points from their latest updates.
Situation Affecting the Storaxa NAS by Arrowtrack (Updates #27 and #28 Summary)
Arrowtrack’s Storaxa NAS project faced significant challenges primarily due to Stripe withholding funds. This caused delays in production, requiring renegotiations with suppliers and adjustments in their delivery schedule. Despite these hurdles, the company remains committed to delivering the product, and backers have shown substantial support and understanding. Of course, we also need to remain grounded and remember that we are only seeing half the story here. Additionally, although Storaxa has been forthcoming with its updates, these updates and regular comments have reduced in frequency in the last few months. Additionally, lack of further documentation of suppliers being used, further communication with Stripe being shared, the recent update arriving later than stated and many users (myself included) reporting that these last two updates did not result in email notifications to users (yet all others did) – these are all matters that remain pertinent to many users following this campaign. These are mostly small potato arguments in the grand scheme of things, but it is important to remain as objective as possible. Users who have invested thousands of dollars towards the system in an upgraded state + storage media purchased now a considerable time ago might well be having understandably cold feet.
Reactions to the Storaxa’s updates on the issues with Stripe by the backers of the campaign were mostly positive, save for a few users highlighting that update #28 arrived late and that proactive email notifications appeared to be disabled (still unconfirmed, but certainly noted online). One user (@Ruan) did take the time to do a breakdown of the finances as stated and made efforts to highlight potential issues of finance in the numbers reported, but this had to be built on only partial by partial numbers related to finances and stock procured by Storaxa, and therefore open to error. Neverthless, even at a casual glance and only using the barebone numbers provided by the campaign creators, the margins do seem rather thin. I wanted to share it here (linked below, just click the image) as I think it’s worth keeping in mind about the scale of this project, once you factor in multiple base configurations and the storage upgrades that have been added:
The post examines the finances of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS campaign in light of potential delays, as half of the funds are being held by the payment provider, Stripe.
The post concludes by asking for an update on the actual numbers of non-Storaxa Addons and clarity on why the production costs appear so high, emphasizing concerns about delivery costs. From the information provided, there are several points to consider:
The BIG takeaway here is that Storaxa will need to start engaging with its audience more regularly. There are many in the comments who would point out that this project has seen more updates than many other campaigns on the Kickstarter platform. However, we are still talking about a campaign with $1.8 Million raised in the initial campaign and a further $2 Million in pledge upgrades – these are bot atypical numbers for an average Kickstarter campaign on average (it happens, but most polished campaigns will live in the 5-6 figures in $). Given the reported change in work on their side related to negotiating with suppliers for later deadlines on payments and maintaining the project through this relative period of ‘hand-on’ inactivity, many would like to see higher engagement with their audience in the comments, further updates, tests/demonstrations in-house with the units that they have, further details of the communications with Stripe (share those conversations in greater details to well further refunds perhaps?) and just generally make their activity and presence felt more than it is. Kickstarter is NOT Amazon or eBay, but it does thing on communication and transparency, something that Storaxa was good on and now arguably becoming weaker on during this period of flux. As always, I will continue to follow this evolving crowdfunded NAS campaign.
If I had to describe the Storaxa NAS Kickstater campaign throughout October and at the very start of November 2023 in one word, it would be….quiet! In updates the previous month (#27 and #28), the Storaxa group stated that production was not possible due to delays in finances arriving from the payment handler ‘Stripe’. Nevertheless, it did/does seem very quiet on storaxas side throughout all of this and no comments by backers were responded too and the update that was slated for October 12th ended up being late (with virtually no explanation or indication), leading to a lot of user debate about the health of the campaign, the validity of the Stripe funds statements and the information provided up to this point in the official campaign updates. Indeed, in terms of actual milestone events in the last calendar month, there was only really four to speak of. The first was the comment that Storaxa made in response to weeks of silence, which was as follows:
Again, the above comment was after weeks of silence and no replies from users. Equally, this was the only comment on the campaign by Storaxa in that time and although a lot of comments/responses followed, they did not engage with them. Questions surrounding the state of the campaign, further verification of the stripe matters, where the existing funds were being spent, further information on suppliers and more. At the same time as this, there was also the public zoom discussion that I had arranged with Storaxa NAS backers (posted several times on the comments thread, with one of the last ones HERE). It did seem rather coincidental that Storaxa had not been replying to users for an extended period of time, but opted to do so on the day of the public zoom with the post discussed above). This was an organized zoom discussion for backers of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign, organized by Robbie @ NASCompares. This is NOT an official zoom organized by/in conjunction with the Storaxa/Arrowtrack group. Below you can watch the full zoom call:
There is of course the question of why I did not just host a zoom with Storaxa/Arrowtrak instead, putting users’ questions directly to them? This was asked a few times and (as I discuss in the comment below), I HAD reached out to Storaxa previously for a zoom Q&A session, but they declined to reply.
When Sotraxa did reveal an official update (update #29), it was rather small and largely repeated similar to what the singular comment a few days before had said, but adding a pinch more on production and showing a change that was going to be implemented to the hardware design:
03:57:22 – Update Frequency 04:00:33 – Early Rewards and Address Changes 04:02:28 – Cat Issues 04:03:00 – Is the Storaxa AMD Module using an Aoostar Motherboard? 04:05:20 – Backer Zoom on Jan 30th 2024
The component change related to the internal cage, here:
Now, I AM pleased that they are providing more information! But as discussed in the video, there seems to be a lot of information that they could be supplying that could calm a lot of people’s concerns, yet for one reason or another do not. Such as:
Finally, storaxa got in touch after Update #29 to state that they still wish to send a review prototype. Of course, I will continue to oblige with this, but nevertheless that campaign still moves forward with a lot of unanswered questions by backers and the current state of the campaign. If/when this unit arrives, I will let backers know and proceed with the original testing as discussed. I hope I have more positive news to share with you in the next update.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article (Jan 5th 2024), there has not been any further communication from the brand about this review unit, originally sent on 31st October 2023.
Which leads to the December 2023 update. Sadly, very little has changed and is covered in greater detail i nthe video linked below (I have linked to the specific part, just click play. However, the TLDR is:
03:57:22 – Update Frequency – Storaxa assured users that they would maintain updates every 7-10 days, but then unfortunately only maintained this for a week and have now been largely silent since December 7th 2023 (29 Days since the date of this article’s publication)
04:00:33 – Early Rewards and Address Changes – Storaxa/Arrowtrak DID respond to users address change requests
04:03:00 – Is the Storaxa AMD Module using an Aoostar Motherboard? – There were questions being raised on Reddit regarding a very similar motherboard being used on the Aoostar NVMe NAS system and claims that the motherboard inside the Storaxa is the Aoostar model.
This is the system to which they are referring – LINK TO VIDEO
04:05:20 – Backer Zoom on Jan 30th 2024 – I/NASCompares have raised the idea of a backer zoom (not anyway officially endorsed by Stooraxa to discuss the campaign so far)
Video:
Originally, I had no real intention of backing the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter project. As a long-time follower of channels such as Slope’s Game Room and his Kickscammer series, as well as only backing a tremendously small number of projects on the platform (and even then, for small sums comparatively) I have always had an especially sceptical mindset for alot of crowdfunding projects that have tremendously small profit margins early doors. Additionally, I was not in the market to buy a new NAS solution, as I cover plenty on my YouTube channel and (though contrary to popular belief, I rarely get to keep them and the ones that I do, go into channel content) I already have two personal servers up and running that I am in no rush to replace.
However, after I was contacted by several existing backers of this project and potential backers looking for a 2nd opinion, I started looking into the Storaxa a little more, contacting the organizers about a future review. After this point, a few different things happened. The campaign was nearing conclusion and more backers had been in touch that weekend to express further concern (alongside rising questions on the usual public forums, such as Reddit and STH). So, I made a video on the campaign, my initial impressions, my own questions about the price point vs distribution, and further questions surrounding heat dissipation. This resulted in my original message to the Storaxa group regarding reviews being screenshotted and shared to the comments section of the official page by the organizers themselves, with many points being highlighted (but not all) in my video being addressed.
The odd thing was that I never got a reply to that message personally, only hearing about this from other backers, who too thought the way it had been handled rather odd. So, I sent a follow-up message, with further questions, explaining my position, the methodology behind my video and my intentions in greater detail. The response came two days later, stating that I was playing media games and did not address my questions (stating that the answers were in the comments section – of which only 2/6 were, with 1 other in the backers only area and 3 others surrounding the team, Opensource distribution and production fulfilment waves not answered). Needless to say, I replied with my questions once again (with a few new points) and sadly have never received a reply to that one to date. So, why, after all that, did I back the project?
Now, one hurdle that is part kickstarter’s design and part campaign presentation choice is/was to do with how information is relayed to potential/existing backers. There needs to be a central framework that can be adapted to all projects of all types – there is no ‘one shape fits all’ campaign mould that can be used. This proved especially true when (at that time of writing) the comments section comprised around 2,000 comments (now at more than 6,000 – without a search function too!) and many comments were broken into sub-conversations (and the Kickstarter framework only allows X number loaded in), a long thread of hundreds of voices with the facts getting soon mixed with assumptions and contradiction in places, potentially leading to an echo chamber effect. Again, this is the framework that Kickstarter has for its central conversation thread and not the design of the project organizers. Nonetheless, this did lead to an issue. The bulk of the main information was published behind the main update section, which was set to only be visible to backers and shared videos for the project were made unlisted and shared with backers online.
At this point, I was intrigued enough by the campaign conclusion, the subject of OS-free NAS solutions rolling out from the east more and more, keen to see if/how it could deliver, as well s wanting to ensure an element of accountability and reference for the future. So, I decided to back the project in order to update users on the progress of this unusual NAS regularly. What follows are my monthly updates on the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS. Starting with that initial video from February 6th 2023 and with information, screen grabs and important milestones/changes in the campaign as time moves on. Hopefully, this article will end with high-order fulfilment, everyone getting their Storaxa system, a new kind of NAS solution entering the market and this growing 3rd choice between the Turnkey solutions and full DiY Opensource builds getting bigger and better, but we will have to wait till Summer 2023 to find out.
Note – I have broken all the information below into monthly chunks (with the 2x Feb chunks being an exception, as the campaign concluded at the end of that month and a volley of updates happened at the end). I am writing the February coverage retroactively, so I apologise in advance if my tenses on some parts are incorrect. I did not even realise at that time that I would be making this article and therefore, it’s been a case of catching up with myself! Additionally, I am composing this with the most recent information FIRST (eg months in reverse order), and updating it each month, so those following this article can get notifications about the updates with the Storaxa NAS summarized. Alternatively, you can browse the comments section HERE or if you are a backer, use the page’s own official updates HERE.
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Data continues to grow exponentially, with everyday devices generating substantial amounts of data. High-resolution photos, 4K Ultra HD HDR movies, and internet connections surpassing gigabit speeds have become the norm. This surge in data creation and transfer has highlighted the limitations of the traditional 1GbE (RJ45) LAN/WAN ports, often causing network bottlenecks. In the past year, client hardware like phones, laptops, TVs, and tablets have adapted to this challenge, increasingly incorporating advanced WiFi protocols such as WiFi 6 (802.11ax). Similarly, in the realm of Network Attached Storage (NAS), addressing bandwidth limitations has been a focus for several years, with one of the key solutions being the adoption of 10GbE technology. 10GbE, offering ten times the bandwidth of the conventional 1GbE, enables network transmissions to exceed 1,000MB/s. Although 10G technology has been around for a while, it’s only in the last few years, particularly in 2023, that it has become significantly more affordable. This price reduction has made it feasible for both home and business users to upgrade. The cost of 10G adapter cards has dropped to under £100, and network switches are now priced only slightly higher than their 1G counterparts. Furthermore, in some instances, the physical compatibility of 1G and 10G is identical (Copper RJ45), simplifying upgrades and allowing for considerable hardware reuse.
10GbE has become much more accessible than previously anticipated. To assist in your decision-making process, below is a video detailing numerous reasons to upgrade to or opt out of 10GbE, which could be helpful in your search for the best 10GbE NAS to buy in 2023.
Best NAS of the Year
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When exploring the various 10GbE NAS drives available, it’s crucial to recognize that they are not all created equal. Despite the temptation of lower-priced models from emerging brands, these often lack durability and comprehensive features. Here are the essential features that the best 10GbE NAS drives, regardless of brand, should include:
Ensure any 10GbE NAS you consider, beyond the top recommendations, includes these features. These aspects are often compromised in cheaper models, resulting in less proficient NAS servers. Let’s now look at the best 10GbE NAS drives to buy in 2023.
0-198TB, 9-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Intel C3558R Atom Quad Core CPU, 8-32GB Memory, 2x 10GbE SFP, 1x 2.5GbE Port, PCIe Slot (TBC), 2yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $999-1099
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review May ’23:
Terramaster has really changed the playing field with the T9-450 NAS. I was already a big fan of their latest generation of 6-Bay, 9-Bay and 12-Bay desktop chassis – providing a pretty substantial amount of storage in a tower design that borrows ventilation methodology traditionally found in rackmounts, but the T9-450 takes this logic and doubles down on it hard. The dual 10GbE on the system means that, despite it’s comparatively modest price point (when comparing against similar scale solutions from Synology and QNAP) you genuinely have a solution with the potential to allow you to enjoy every single MB/s or GB/s of your RAID externally. This is further bolstered with additional 2.5GbE ports, m.2 NVMe bays, uncomplicated support of HDDs/SSDs and just generally a very sensible system that shows how much Terramaster has matured as a brand. The TOS software is still not quite up there with Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS in terms of ease of use and AAA+ features, but it is definitely a great entry point OS that has tighted it’s security since the brand was targetted by a ransomware group (along with other brands, they were affected by Deadbolt attacks) – it certainly lacks some of the background optimization of it’s competitors, but then this is reflected in the budget of the system too.
The internal PCIe slot that has been largely ignored is a bit of a missed opportunity and I am not a big fan of how they have addressed memory compatibility, but overall it is very, very tough to criticise the T9-450 NAS when you factor in the value of the package here. Factor in that you can very easily swap out the OS for many others, and it largely silences alot of the negatives here too. Overall, the T9-450 could potentially be the best NAS that Terramster has ever released and if they continue to address later releases with the same level of hardware value, this could definitely give the bigger names in the industry something of a headache down the road. I highly recommend this system for its value and performance potential!
8.8
Good Middle ground between a Rackmount and Desktop System
Dual 10GbE - LOVELY STUFF!
Also has support of SMB MultiChannel and an extra 2x 2.5GbE
Decent throughput Capable CPU
Great RAID Options
Snapshot Replication
BTRFS/EXT4 Support as preferred
A large amount of maximum memory supported (16-32GB - TBC)
M.2 SSD Bay inside for caching/storage
TOS 5.1 is genuinely good, if not quite as polished/evolved as it\\\'s competitors
VERY easy to install TrueNAS, UnRAID, Proxmox, OpenMediaVault, etc (and also easy to reverse)
Supports ECC Mmeory, but not included (might annoy some)
NOT QUIET!
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x NVMe Cache Bays, Quad-Core Ryzen V1780B 3.4Ghz CPU, 8-32GB DDR4 ECC Memory, 1x 10GbE, 2x 1Gbe Port, 1x PCIe 3×8 Upgrade Slot, 5yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $1799
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch Long Review – Watch Short Review
What I said in my review March ’23:
If you are looking for a solid and confident move away from expensive long-term cloud subscription services, away from your defunct Drobo system or simply looking for a Synology NAS that has good hardware inside, outside and with DSM all over it – the DS1823xs+ NAS is a very solid choice indeed! With a huge degree of expandability and upgradability open to the end user to scale with later in the system’s life, extensive long-term committed software support and that 5yrs hardware warranty out the box – this is a system that is clearly designed for the long-haul and as soon as you factor in the complete hardware+software nature of this purchase with DSM included, it’s a very tasty box! There are a few odd choices here or there (e.g M.2 NVMe Pools not presented in the way some might like and HDD/SSD compatibility that clearly favours the enterprise tier), this is still easily the most powerful and capable 8-Bay system that Synology has ever produced. Whether you are a small, medium or large business user, this system has a large amount of potential for your data and has the horsepower for multiple VMs, large-scale surveillance, widespread backups, broad multi-user access and all of these running at the same time in a remarkably compact package.
That said, the DS1823xs+ NAS has a little bit of an identity crisis when you scale it up with the rest of the larger tiers of the Synology portfolio and, although I genuinely like it, seems to be a system that exists BETWEEN the Synology PLUS and XS series (see my points about the RS2423+) and when you look at it in that context, it sees the tiniest bit more expensive than it should be. If you are looking at the DS1823xs+ NAS and fully intend to scale up the storage, external bandwidth or memory in the next two years, I would recommend skipping this and opting for the DS3622xs+ instead. However, the base model of the DS1823xs+ has alot of ‘umpf’ under the bonnet and short of those hurdles for some on compatibility, the DS1823xs+ seemingly lives up to alot of it’s expectations!
8.6
Huge Amount of Expandability
High Capacity / Low Impact
10/10 Chassis Design
M.2 NVMe SSD Storage Pools
Balanced/Powerful CPU
5yr H/W Warranty & Long S/W Support
Tier Storage Ready
ECC Memory and 8GB Day 1
Hugely User-Friendly GUI
10GbE x86 8-Bay Expandable Synology......FINALLY!
M.2 NVMe SSD Lane Limits
Lack of SHR
DS3622xs+ is £1000+ more, but significantly upscaled on almost everything
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0-130TB SATA HDDs, 0-16TB SATA SSDs, 0-16TB 3×4 M.2 NVMes, 6+2+2-Bays, C5125 8-Core Atom CPU, 8-128GB Memory, 1x 10GbE and 2x 2.5GbE Ports, 2x PCIe 3×8 Slots, 3yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $1300-1500
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review June ’23:
I have to say, I am INSANELY impressed by how much bang for buck is being included in the TS-855X and although it is not the most powerful device in the market (arguably intentionally, as it favours the more affordable Atom over a xeon), it is a sensible workhorse of a NAS. On the positive side, the QNAP TS-855X NAS comes with numerous strong selling points. The device offers large storage potential, especially with the ZFS file system, making it a powerhouse for data management. The choice of CPU is also sensible, providing a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness. The inclusion of the QTier tool is particularly appealing, adding a layer of efficiency to the storage management. Another big plus is the user-friendly GUI for ZFS in QuTS, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise. The three-tier storage options and support of ECC memory with a maximum of 128GB further enhance the device’s versatility and potential. Moreover, the TS-855X provides a wealth of expansion options and comes with 8 camera licenses with QVR Pro/QTS. The well-ventilated design contributes to thermal efficiency, ensuring optimal performance, while its support for the latest 22TB and soon-to-be-released 24TB drives future-proofs your investment.
However, the TS-855X is not without its drawbacks. While the two SATA SSD bays provide extra storage options, they would have been better if they were U.2 slots, which offer faster speeds. Although the device supports ECC memory, the initial 8GB memory in the base model is non-ECC, which might not be optimal for all ZFS services. The memory capacity might also be somewhat low for users with intensive data needs. Furthermore, the software can sometimes be inconsistent under heavy use, and it has a steeper learning curve compared to competitors like Synology. Finally, the pricing structure for the TS-855X is a mixed bag. While some users may find the cost reasonable given its features, others might feel it’s a bit steep for what it offers. Therefore, while the QNAP TS-855X NAS offers a plethora of attractive features and strong performance, it’s worth keeping in mind that a spend of a few hundred more dollars opens the door to Intel Core-powered NAS in the TVS-hx74 series or more powerful Xeon triple-tiered systems such as the TVS-h1288X. If you want power, but on a budget, it’s a great choice!
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0-96TB, 12x M.2 NVMe 3×1 Bays, Supports 2x USB Expansions, N5105/N5095 4-Core CPU, 4-16GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 1x 10Gbe Port, 3yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $799
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review HERE)
What I said in my review June ’23:
I cannot stress enough how impressed I am that the Flashstor 6 and Flashstor 12 Pro are priced at $499 and $860, respectively, given the level of hardware on offer here. These are by no means enterprise-grade NAS server solutions, nor should they be thought of as such. However, given the cost of typical fully featured 4x HDD solutions from their competitors and the brand themselves, which often start at $550 and above, it is quite remarkable that the six M.2 SSD system with comparable internal hardware comes in at $499. As long as a user keeps their expectations in line with what this cost versus its capabilities, it’s really tough to argue with the price point that these two devices have arrived at on the market. The Asustor FS6712X Flashstor 12 Pro NAS presents a unique offering in the NAS market, leveraging NVMe technology to provide high-capacity, ultra-high-performance storage. The device’s design, with its rhombus-shaped enclosure and twelve M.2 NVMe slots, sets it apart from traditional NAS devices and offers a sleek and modern aesthetic.
The tool-less drive installation mechanism makes it easy to set up and expand the storage capacity. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The limited number of PCIe lanes provided by the Intel Celeron N5105 processor may restrict the performance of high-speed NVMe drives. The single 10GbE LAN port also presents a potential network bottleneck, limiting the device’s overall network performance. Users seeking maximum performance and network throughput may find alternative solutions better suited to their needs. Despite these limitations, the FS6712X shines as a storage solution for users who prioritize high-capacity storage, quiet operation, and low power consumption. The device’s ability to directly output 4K video, along with its range of Asustor-approved apps, makes it an excellent choice for media distribution and presentation. In terms of pricing, the FS6712X comes with a price tag of $850+. While this may appear high at first glance, it is comparable to 8 bay drive NAS SATA devices and many of those do not even include NVMe slots or 10GbE. Users looking for a more cost-effective option can consider the Flashstor 6, which offers half the number of slots and 2x 2.5GbE enabled ports for $499.
As the cost of flash modules continues to drop, and larger capacity drives become available all the way up to 8TB (even without QLC), the FS6712X provides an attractive solution for those seeking high-capacity and high-performance NAS storage. While some underlying performance relativity by the end user needs to be factored in and hardware limitations exist thanks to the use of that Celeron to remain budget-friendly, the FS6712X is a tremendously smart move by Asustor. A well-designed NAS that presents a much more confident solution demonstrating the benefits of NVMe-focused NAS devices to an audience that would have assumed such things are way, WAY outside the realms of affordability!
8.6
Low Power Use
Full 1st Party NAS OS Included
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10G Connectivity and wide USB Support/Compatibility
Very Slick and compact design
SP/DIF and HDMI 2.0b Outputs will hugely please the multimedia user community
Likewise, Plex Performance is very good for 4K and 1080p conversions
2.5GbE x2 is good.. but its still hugely limiting for those NVMes
Lack of ECC memory (cost prohibitive of course) will put some serious users off
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Choosing the right data storage solution for your needs can be very intimidating and it’s never too late to ask for help. With options ranging from NAS to DAS, Thunderbolt to SAS and connecting everything up so you can access all your lovely data at the touch of a button can be a lot simpler than you think. If you want some tips, guidance or help with everything from compatibility to suitability of a solution for you, why not drop me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as possible with what you should go for, its suitability and the best place to get it. This service is designed without profit in mind and in order to help you with your data storage needs, so I will try to answer your questions as soon as possible. Just enter in a few details of your setup, storage requirements and (in the case of buying a new solution) your budget – then me and Eddie the Web guy can help you with your question. This is a completely free service, is NOT provided with profit in mind and is manned by two humans (no bots, no automated replies, etc). Assistance might take an extra day or two (the service gets a lot of visitors) but we do try to answer every message. If you want to support this service, you can find out how to donate HERE. Otherwise, you can still just message us for free advice anyway!
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In 2024, if you’re considering a Synology or QNAP NAS drive for setting up a Plex Media Server, it’s probably because you’re tired of subscribing to multiple online streaming services, OR you have a vast collection of physical discs at home that you’d like to enjoy conveniently on devices like Amazon FireTV, Roku Box, or a gaming console, without the hassle of discs. Isn’t that a reasonable desire? Remember the days when watching movies and series from your couch was straightforward? You had a collection of DVDs or Blu-rays, chose a disc, and watched. Sure, it was a bit more involved than services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney+, BUT you owned your media and decided what to view. The supremacy of subscription-based streaming seemed undisputable, offering easy access to a broad range of content, often viewed only once or twice, all for a modest monthly fee of $5-10 per service. But things got complex. The number of streaming services exploded from a handful to HUNDREDS, with movies and series being exclusively available on certain platforms (sometimes even splitting TV seasons across different services). This led to shorter availability periods for TV shows on streaming platforms as content owners realized the profitability of timed exclusivity and platform hopping. Consequently, streaming services lost their convenience and value, with most homes subscribing to 3-4 different services (typically Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and a cable TV/Sky service) and spending $400-500 annually without owning any media or controlling availability. The biased search features on these platforms, promoting ‘recommended’ content, only add to the longing for the simpler days of choosing a DVD from the shelf. This nostalgia and desire for control are why many are switching to Plex Media Server. To learn more about Plex, a Plex Media Server NAS, and their functions, watch the accompanying video:
Best NAS of the Year
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It’s essential to note that despite the wide range of Plex NAS drives available, they are not all of equal quality! The market is teeming with ultra-affordable brands, and while they might seem appealing compared to premium NAS brands, often these too-good-to-be-true solutions disappear before your warranty even expires. So, whether you’re considering the three top Plex options I recommend below, or exploring other Plex NAS models found on sale or suggested elsewhere, the best NAS systems consistently include these software and services:
Explore a free/low cost service that lets you stream your personal media collection, complete with polished graphics, an intuitive graphical user interface, detailed descriptions, trailers, thumbnails, reviews, and more. Today, I aim to highlight the top three NAS drives ideally suited for a Plex Media Server. The market is flooded with thousands of NAS options compatible with Plex (which is not overly demanding in its basic setup), yet the way you plan to utilize it, the number of users you intend to share with, the size of your media library, and the quality of your content (like 4K, 1080p, etc.) play a critical role in determining the most suitable NAS for your Plex Media server. Therefore, my five Plex NAS recommendations for 2023 focus on the optimal Budget 1080p Plex NAS, the premier 4K Plex NAS, and ultimately, the Best ALL-AROUND Plex NAS for 2023/2024. Let’s dive in.
Arriving in Early 2024 for $379 / $499 / $699
Although this list of Plex NAS systems are all picked for their suitability to power, budget and performance, I wanted to quickly give a nod to three solutions that are arriving in the first quarter of 2024. So, although they are not technically in the ‘top 3’, I think at least two of these are going to be very popular for low price 4K Plex NAS solutions in 2024. TerraMaster, arguably the value/affordable tier of the private NAS market, have revealed three new solutions that form the beginning of their 2024 series of devices – the Terramaster F4-424 Pro, F4-424 and F2-424 NAS. Arriving before their main competitors Synology, QNAP and Asustor, these new solutions are arriving with a more recent Intel N95 and N300 CPU series and will be available in 2-Bay and 4-Bay configurations.
At the core of the F2-424 and F4-424 models is the Intel Celeron N95 processor, a choice that balances power and efficiency. The F4-424 PRO, on the other hand, steps up the performance with the Intel Core i3 N300 processor, catering to more demanding tasks. Memory-wise, the F2-424 and F4-424 are equipped with 8 GB of DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM, while the F4-424 PRO quadruples this capacity to 32 GB, enhancing its multitasking capabilities. Storage options vary across the models, with the F2-424 featuring two disk slots, suitable for personal or small office setups, and the F4-424 and F4-424 PRO offering four disk slots, providing more flexibility and capacity for intensive data storage needs.Here is a comparison table for the TerraMaster F2-424, F4-424, and F4-424 PRO NAS devices with the correct CPU specifications:
Feature/Specification | TerraMaster F2-424 | TerraMaster F4-424 | TerraMaster F4-424 PRO |
---|---|---|---|
Processor Model | Intel® Celeron N95 | Intel® Celeron N95 | Intel® Core i3 N300 |
Processor Architecture | X.86 64-bit | X.86 64-bit | X.86 64-bit |
Processor Frequency | Max burst up to 3.4 GHz | Max burst up to 3.4 GHz | Max Turbo Frequency 3.80 GHz |
Total Cores | 4 | 4 | 8 |
Total Threads | 4 | 4 | 8 |
System Memory | 8 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 8 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 32 GB (Max, dependent on memory type) |
Memory Slot Number | 1 (DDR5 SODIMM) | 1 (DDR5 SODIMM) | 1 |
Maximum Supported Memory | 32 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 32 GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM | 16 GB |
Disk Slot Number | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Compatible Drive Types | 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD | 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD | 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD |
Maximum Internal Raw Storage Capacity | 44 TB (22 TB x2) | 88 TB (22 TB x4) | 88 TB (22 TB x4) |
Drive Hot Swap | Yes | Yes | Yes |
External Ports | 2x RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2x USB3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s), HDMI 4K 60FPS | 2x RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2x USB3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s), HDMI 4K 60FPS | 2x RJ-45 2.5GbE, 2x USB3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s), HDMI 4K 60FPS |
Dimensions (HWD) | 222 x 119 x 154 mm | 222 x 179 x 154 mm | 222 x 179 x 154 mm |
Weight | 2.2 kg | 3.4 kg | 3.4 kg |
System Fan | 80 x 80 x 25 mm | 80 x 80 x 25 mm | 120 x 120 x 25 mm |
Noise Level | 19.0 dB(A) | 19.0 dB(A) | 21.0 dB(A) |
Power Supply | 40 W | 40 W | 90 W |
Power Consumption | 22.0 W (active), 11.0 W (hibernation) | 22.0 W (active), 11.0 W (hibernation) | 33.0 W (active), 13.0 W (hibernation) |
Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C | 0°C to 40°C | 0°C to 40°C |
Supported OS | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Supported Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge |
Supported Mobile OS | iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ | iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ | iOS14.0+, Android 10.0+ |
Networking | TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS | TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS | TCP/IP, IPv4/IPv6, Link Aggregation, DLNA, VPN, DDNS |
Security Features | Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 | Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 | Firewall, AES Encryption, RSA 2048 |
Price (Approximate) | $379 | $499 | $699 |
This table provides a detailed comparison across key features and specifications for these TerraMaster NAS models. A common thread among these TerraMaster NAS units is their robust build and reliable performance. Each model supports both 3.5″ SATA HDDs and 2.5″ SATA SSDs, ensuring versatility in storage media choices. Networking is a strong suit, with all models featuring 2.5GbE network jacks for faster data transfer speeds, and HDMI ports for direct video output. Compatibility with various operating systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux, alongside comprehensive security features like firewall protection and AES encryption, underscores their flexibility and security focus.
0-36TB, Intel J4125 4-Core CPU with 350-750Mhz Int.GFX, 2-6GB DDR4 Memory, 2x 2Gbe Port, 2yr Warranty
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $299
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review Aug ’23:
The Synology DS224+ is a NAS that, in the correct context, is actually a really good choice of server for a lot of users. When Synology rearranged their portfolio in the middle of 2022, there was always going to be inconsistencies between releases and issues surrounding the placement of solutions in their ranges that needed addressing. When they upgraded the DS923+ and DS723+ with ECC memory up to 32GB, NVMe SSD pool support, optional 10GBE network upgrades, and a much more powerful business-class CPU, it was clear that they had designated that tier of their portfolio to be far more business than pleasure. From there, it became obvious that the standard mid-range two and four-bay solutions (in this case the DS224+ and DS423+) were going to be more home-user and multimedia-user-designated, and their hardware architecture needed to sit more balanced between the business-class solutions and the value series of real tech NAS devices. However, this has resulted in a new NAS arriving on the scene that has an intentionally low glass ceiling, and the disparity in hardware created between the DS224+ and the DS723+, despite a modest price difference between them, is only further worsened when the hardware similarities between the prosumer previous generation and this SMB generation are massive. It creates a feeling to the end-user who is aware of Synology’s previous releases that this is “paying money for old rope” and not a new-generation hardware solution. The reality, to new users and those that are upgrading away from the value tier into something a bit more established in the+ tier, is actually more nuanced. You are getting a great CPU here that, despite its age, still does extraordinarily well in DSM applications and third-party popular applications like Plex Media Server. Add to that that this is still a refresh of the previous generation that has moved from a dual-core to a quad-core processor, and you can see that upgrades in this refresh have occurred, though modest.
Then there is the fact that this system can still support the full range of applications and services in the Synology DSM 7.2 system software and makes it by far the lowest price you are ever going to have to pay to access everything that DSM can do in the latest generation, also guaranteeing the longest support of that software long after the hardware warranty has expired (security and feature updates). It does make a tremendous difference that the Synology developers and product managers know this hardware architecture so intricately, and that means that you are going to have a system that can run everything in the most efficient way possible, which will certainly pay dividends in the days, weeks, months, and years that you will have the system in operation – especially when factoring rising energy costs globally and how you want your system to do as much as possible while eating up as little electricity as possible! In conclusion, the Synology DS224+ is probably not Synology’s most exciting release, and if you are someone that skipped the 2020 generation of solutions because you wanted to hold out for something greater and more powerful, the DS224+ will probably serve as something of a damp squib to you. But it is a very solid NAS release, and as long as you put it in the right context as a buyer and keep in mind that this system is a refresh of the DS220+, it still does a great job. It just lacks a lot of the scalability and upgradability of other recent Synology NAS releases and looks, at least in the hardware department, a little underwhelming against competitors in 2023. You can definitely do a lot worse, but there is also the potential to do a lot better by spending just a fraction more.
7.6
Runs Everything in the Synology DSM Catalogue (Active Backup, Surveillance Station, VMM, Drive, Collab Suite, etc)
Great Plex, Emby and Jellyfin Media Server Performance
Broad HDD/SSD Compatibility with Synology drives AND Seagate+WD
Low Impact chassis, low noise in operation (HDD dependant) and efficient power use
Runs exceedingly well on just 2GB of Memory
More affordable than the DS923+ and DS723+
Long-running DSM Support beyond the Hardware
Memory maximum cap at 6GB as original 2GB is fixed (non-upgradable)
Small Jump from the 2020 released DS220+
Non-Expandable
Lack of M.2 NVMe Support
Where to Buy a Product
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Synology DS224+ 2-Bay Diskstation NAS (Intel Celeron J4125 4-Core 2.0 GHz 2GB DD Amazon UK 7.94 OFF (WAS 795) [LINK] Synology DS224+ 16TB 2 Bay NAS Solution installed with 2 x 8TB Synology HAT3300 Amazon UK 16.96 OFF (WAS 954) [LINK] Synology DS224+ 24TB 2 Bay NAS Solution installed with 2 x 12TB Synology HAT3300 Amazon UK 97.76 OFF (WAS 1216) [LINK] Synology DS224+ 2-Bay Diskstation NAS (Intel Celeron J4125 4-Core 2.0 GHz 2GB DD Amazon USA 242.27 OFF (WAS 653) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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0-88TB, Intel N5105 Celeron + 350-800Mhz Int. GFX, 4-16GB Memory, 4x M.2 NVMe 2280 Gen3x1 SSD Slots, 4x SATA Bays, LCD Control, HDMI 4K 60FPS and KVM Support, 2x 2.5GbE, USB 3.2 10G, 3yr Warranty, TrueNAS/UnRAID Support
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $499+
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
Asustor TrueNAS Installation Guide HERE
Asustor UnRAID Installation Guide HERE
What I said in my review Nov ’22:
The Lockerstor 4 Gen 2 NAS is a respectable piece of kit! Indeed, the hardware here is almost faultless! Unless you are particularly noise sensitive (and therefore the metal chassis adding a few dBa to the ambient sound), there is almost nothing I can fault here on the devices hardware. The scaling up of practically all hardware over the Gen 1 Lockerstor, such as Better CPU, Better Memory that goes higher, HDMI 2.0b, USB 3.2 Gen 2, a 10GbE upgrade option and THOSE FOUR M. 2 NVMe SSD SLOTS – you simply cannot fault how much is getting included here at the price point vs it’s competitors. The software is a little less compelling, with a smaller range of 1st party applications on offer, more of a reliance on 3rd party services and the absence of a few AAA+ features that are present on other devices in the market (AI services, Cloud Bolt on live synchronization, 1st Party SaaS native sync with Google Workspace/Office365, etc).
That said, ADM does run very well, is clear and still quite user-friendly. The addition of choice of file systems EXT4 or BTRFS, flexibility on the use of those M.2 NVMe SSD bays and the Asustor HDMI portal still bring fantastic flexibility to the Lockerstor 4 Gen 2 NAS too. Ultimately, this is a system that is clearly making big waves on it’s hardware more than it’s software, but as long as you keep your feet on the ground and appreciate that this system is more of a 70/30 purchase of hardware vs software, you will come to respect and rely on this Asustor NAS as the backbone of your data storage setup.
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0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i5/i7/i9 CPU, 16-64GB DDR4 Memory, 2.5Gbe Port, 10Gb x2 Prots (Intel i9 Version), KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty , TrueNAS/UnRAID Support
Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2000-2500-3000
Hardware Review – LINK
YouTube Video Review – Watch
What I said in my review Dec ’22:
QNAP TrueNAS Installation Guide HERE
QNAP UnRAID Installation Guide HERE
The QNAP TVS-h874 NAS is easily one of the most hardware-capable desktop NAS systems that I have ever seen (as you would expect for £2500+) and has clearly been designed with phenomenal future proofing in mind! If you are concerned about the longevity of this NAS, this hardware architecture will still be top tier 5 years from now, with the added support of PCIe 4 meaning that high capacity and performing micro upgrades throughout its life also ensuring it remains relevant long after. It’s price tag clearly moves this purchase out of the home and squarely into the business market (though likely those that take their media seriously will add it to the cart) and the TVS-h874 will function as a solid solution for Video editing (even at 8K), high frequency and performing VMs, large scale AI powered Surveillance setup, hybrid cloud/on-prem alternative to Office 365/Google Workspace services and as the center point for all your data storage operations. Crucially though, it is that the hardware on offer here will be able to do ALL of these at the same time, therefore maximising the investment for most businesses that want to move aware from their cloud dependant ops. In terms of software,t things are a little less absolute, with QTS and QuTS still getting a little busy at times, with a steeper learning curve than its big rival DSM from Synology. That said, die-hard fans of ZFS (Zettabyte File System) will adore the inclusion of benefits in RAID handling, management and recovery that are exclusive to that platform, whilst enjoying the wide range of applications and service benefits in QuTS that are often restricted to Linux platforms.
The slightly conveluded approach to release hardware that does complicate the selection process (different CPUs in the Intel 12th Gen family changing the rest of the system architecture) is something that I hoped this brand would graduate from (for the sake of simplicity), but for many, this level of choice in hardware and budget will be welcome. As is QNAP’s position on the support of 3rd party hardware (drives, PCIe upgrades, etc) and software, something that we have seen a worrying trend in the last few years against elsewhere in the industry but some other brands, to err towards 1st party/proprietary compatibility more and more. There are still lingering doubts by some on the security of NAS, with ransomware attacks on the rise and ALL brands and ALL platforms being targetted (NAS, Cloud ,etc), finding a middle ground between ease of use and depth of security being a tricky tie rope walk indeed. The TVS-h874 arrives with a wide range of Day 1 tools, further rigid defaults in QTS/QuTS in 2022/2023, considerable security settings to configure and multiple system scan tools for recommendations & preventative measures available. The QNAP TVS-h874 is probably the most powerful desktop/tower NAS drive I have ever reviewed and if you are looking for a system that can legitimately do anything server-side, but you are also willing to put in the time to configure it correctly – you will genuinely be hard pushed to find a better system in 2022, 2023 and likely 2024 at this price point and scale.
DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now?
QNAP TVS-h874 NAS Tower Ethernet LAN Black Amazon UK 28.86 OFF (WAS 3776) [LINK] QNAP TVS-h874-i5-32G-US 8 Bay High-Speed Desktop NAS with M.2 PCIe Slots, 12th G Amazon USA 32.4 OFF (WAS 2166) [LINK] QNAP TVS-h874-i5-32G Intel Core i5 Processor, 32 GB RAM, PCIe Gen 4 expandabilit Amazon USA 529.8 OFF (WAS 3539) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily
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Choosing the right data storage solution for your needs can be very intimidating and it’s never too late to ask for help. With options ranging from NAS to DAS, Thunderbolt to SAS and connecting everything up so you can access all your lovely data at the touch of a button can be a lot simpler than you think. If you want some tips, guidance or help with everything from compatibility to suitability of a solution for you, why not drop me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as possible with what you should go for, its suitability and the best place to get it. This service is designed without profit in mind and in order to help you with your data storage needs, so I will try to answer your questions as soon as possible. Just enter in a few details of your setup, storage requirements and (in the case of buying a new solution) your budget – then me and Eddie the Web guy can help you with your question. This is a completely free service, is NOT provided with profit in mind and is manned by two humans (no bots, no automated replies, etc). Assistance might take an extra day or two (the service gets a lot of visitors) but we do try to answer every message. If you want to support this service, you can find out how to donate HERE. Otherwise, you can still just message us for free advice anyway!
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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below