QNAP TurboStation TS-264-8G evaluate: A robust NAS with improve potential

Finest Costs Right now: Qnap Turbostation TS-264-8G

The QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G community storage is a high-priced NAS enclosure for the house and residential workplace. Nonetheless, the two-bay NAS server enjoys nice reputation. We resolve the explanations on this evaluate.

Options: Loads on provide ex works

Two elements instantly stand out on the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G NAS system: The Intel Celeron N5095 processor with 4 cores and a clock pace of as much as 2.9GHz. It comes with the graphics unit — Intel UHD Graphics — and is optimized for a number of, simultaneous duties. It additionally comes with 8GB of RAM (DDR4 SODIMM). This ample RAM configuration may be expanded to 16GB with a second 8GB module — that’s fairly a press release for a house server.

Along with basic 3.5-inch HDDs, the 2 laborious drive bays may accommodate the narrower 2.5-inch variations or SSDs.

The QNAP TS-264-8G additionally presents versatile improve choices: Because of the 2 M.2 slots, the community storage may be expanded with NVMe SSDs. They are often configured as caching accelerators, but additionally as extra space for storing.

A PCIe 3.0 slot can be built-in, which can be utilized to additional increase the community storage utilizing the producer’s personal growth playing cards — for instance, so as to add a 10GbE LAN port or extra NVMe SSDs. You may’t improve way more on this NAS class.

Foundry

There’s a USB 3.2 Gen2 port on the entrance of the case, which is supplied with a replica perform. On the rear, there’s a commonplace USB-A port, two USB 2.0 ports, and one HDMI port. The HDMI port is meant to simplify virtualization purposes by permitting a show to be related in order that the NAS system can then be used like a pc.

Two 2.5GbE LAN ports spherical off the intensive options. The 2 Ethernet ports may even be mixed by way of hyperlink aggregation.

Excessive output energy of the QNAP TS-264-8G

Even with out improve choices, the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G NAS server proves to be highly effective within the checks. Two NAS HDDs are used — extra exactly the three.5-inch Seagate Ironwolf ST4000NE001 fashions with 4TB capability every, that are configured in a Raid 1 community. We solely use one of many two 2.5 gigabit LAN ports for this function.

Even the benchmark runs with NAS Efficiency Tester lead to knowledge switch charges which are completely spectacular: The QNAP mannequin writes the 8,000MB package deal at a very good 247MB/s and reads it at nearly 285MB/s. It’s even sooner with smaller knowledge packets — within the 400MB run, for instance, with nearly 252MB/s writing and a very good 296MB/s studying.

What just isn’t self-evident: The excessive efficiency is confirmed within the sensible runs. When copying the 4K movie Tears of Metal backwards and forwards, the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G community storage achieves a very good 223MB/s in writing and 261MB/s in studying. In each instances, these are new data within the take a look at discipline.

42MB/s can be a prime outcome when writing our 2GB backup. The TS-264-8G additionally ranks close to the highest with over 103MB/s when backups and movies are written concurrently.

Uncomplicated setup

You don’t should be a NAS specialist to arrange the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G NAS server. The three.5-inch HDDs may be hooked up to the holders with out instruments utilizing clips. The community storage may be simply recognized within the residence community utilizing the free Qfinder Professional device, which you’ll obtain from the producer(www.qnap.com/qfinderpro). Within the take a look at, the machine is recognised as “Server not but initialised”.

As quickly as you click on on the discover, the commissioning course of begins with fundamental steps comparable to firmware model examine, account creation and time zone choice. It’s also possible to specify right here whether or not you wish to entry the NAS system by way of computerized or static IP. As at all times with QNAP, you’ll obtain a abstract of the settings made earlier than initialisation begins.

As soon as the firmware has been put in, you’ll discover a information to the subsequent steps on the right-hand aspect of the display. For instance, you create the storage pool, specify the raid mode and decide the snapshot storage allocation.

Once more, there’s a abstract earlier than the storage swimming pools are created. This takes time – it’s best to provide the NAS server time in a single day. After that, specify your quantity(s).

Foundry

QTS firmware: Clear, with many apps

You make the NAS settings within the QTS firmware. It’s graphically organized — as is now the case with most NAS producers. QNAP is understood for its intensive app retailer — right here known as the App Middle. This can be utilized so as to add extra options. For instance, you’ll be able to load media servers comparable to Plex, Minim, or Kazoo onto the NAS, but additionally shield the machine towards malware.

The QTS firmware is complete and presents all of the vital settings. Central areas comparable to “Storage & Snapshots” are positioned straight on the interface and may be accessed rapidly — much like the NAS competitor.

Particular function: With this community storage, you’ll be able to even swap to the QuTS hero working system, which is especially appropriate for combined storage consisting of HDDs and SSDs due to the ZFS file system. Nonetheless, switching requires at the very least QTS model 5.2.1.

Setting and well being

As at all times with 2.5GbE community storage, the ability consumption is larger than with comparable 1GbE NAS techniques. Within the case of the QNAP TS-264-8G, we already discover this within the take a look at when solely HDDs are within the system.

Throughout operation, the measuring machine reveals as much as 33.7 watts. And even in idle and sleep mode with 26.5 and 16.8 watts, the upper vitality consumption is noticeable. The truth that the machine nonetheless attracts 1.9 watts when switched off is now not very vital, though this worth can be comparatively excessive.

Even when the temperature within the housing rises underneath load, the air management works nicely, because the values stay within the inexperienced vary all through the take a look at.

QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G: Take a look at outcomes and technical knowledge

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