Wednesday, February 12th 2025

QNAP Introduces USB4 Type-C to 10GbE Network Adapters for Mac / Windows

QNAP Systems, Inc. has introduced the new QNA series USB4 Type-C to 10GbE network adapters, specifically designed for Mac and Windows PCs equipped with USB4 or Thunderbolt 3/4 ports. These adapters enable connecting to 10GbE high-speed networks, significantly improving user convenience and work efficiency.

QNAP Product Manager Andy Chuang stated, "The compact and low-noise QNA USB4 adapters allow computers without network ports to establish a high-speed network environment with other devices. Users can enjoy efficient large file transfers and smooth 10GbE collaborative workflows without complicated setup."
Product highlights
  • Ultra-Fast Transfer: Supports transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps, making it easy to handle large data backups, file transfers, and efficient video editing tasks.
  • Wide Compatibility: Compatible with multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing fast and stable network connections for professional users, business environments, and home use.
  • Easy Installation: Simply plug the adapter into a USB4 Type-C port and quickly connect to a 10GbE network through a simple driver setup.
  • Fanless and Portable Design: The compact, lightweight, and fanless design makes it easy to carry, ensuring quiet and high-speed connectivity anywhere—whether at the office, home, or on business trips.
Key specifications
  • QNA-UC10G1T: 1x USB4 Type-C port; 1 x 10GbE NBASE-T port; AQC113 network controller; includes 1-meter USB4 cable
  • QNA-UC10G1SF: 1x USB4 Type-C port; 1 x 10GbE SFP+ port; AQC100S network controller; includes 1-meter USB4 cable
The QNA USB4 series will introduce dual-port 10GbE models, providing users with more adapter options:
  • QNA-UC10G2T: USB4 Type-C to 10GbE BASE-T (dual port) adapter (Coming Soon)
  • QNA-UC10G2SF: USB4 Type-C to 10GbE SFP+ (dual port) adapter (Coming Soon)
[Editor's note: Both models are priced at US$249]
Sources: QNA-UC10G1T, QNA-UC10G1SF
Add your own comment

4 Comments on QNAP Introduces USB4 Type-C to 10GbE Network Adapters for Mac / Windows

#1
Wirko
I'd expect the SFP version to be significantly cheaper. Does the price include the 10Gbit Ethernet transceiver?
Posted on Reply
#2
Tigerfox
These actually offer little benefit over the existing TB3-adaptors and use the same or nearly the NICs (Marvell Aquantia AQC113C in the QNA-UC10G1T vs. AQC107S in QNA-T310G1T, ancient AQC100S in both QNA-UC10G1SF and QNA-T310G1S) and will only be more interesting if they are cheaper. Wether the interface is USB4 or TB3, both should work the same on USB4- or TB3/4-Ports.

The dual-port variants will be much more interesting. 1x10GbE is kind of a waste for USB4 or TB3/4. While AQC100S and AQC107S are Gen3x4, AQC113C is either Gen3x2 or Gen4x1, which both is more than enough for 1x10GbE. Since most USB4- and TB3/4-controllers offer Gen3x4 or Gen4x4, there are enough lanes for two NICs or one NIC with two ports. QNA-UC10G2T will surely use Intel X550, but I wonder what NIC QNA-UC10G2SF will use, since most NICs that offer more than one SFP+ports are really old and have been replaced. Candidates would be Intel X710 and Broadcom BMC57412 or tow AQC100S with a PCIe-switch.

On Computex, a QNA-UC25G2SF was also mentioned, which would be great, even though 40Gb/s USB4 isn't enough for 2x25GbE.

EDIT: The MSRP is above what the TB3-NICs cost here in Germany...
Posted on Reply
#3
DaemonForce
Maybe not a complete waste of time. It reminded me of the guy that networked everything over USB.
When I depend on a 10GbE SFP+ link it's usually a direct link and a fixed component of a board/card.
This might be okay for diagnosing this and that but I wouldn't depend on it for full time duty.
Posted on Reply
#4
Octavean
DaemonForceMaybe not a complete waste of time. It reminded me of the guy that networked everything over USB.
When I depend on a 10GbE SFP+ link it's usually a direct link and a fixed component of a board/card.
This might be okay for diagnosing this and that but I wouldn't depend on it for full time duty.
Fair point, I would tend to agree but Mac users may have fewer options in this respect. It's not as if they can just pop the hood and install any NIC they want.
Posted on Reply
Feb 12th, 2025 14:05 EST change timezone

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