QNAP Unveils the QWA-AC2600 Wireless Adapter

Chino · May 24, 2018

QNAP Systems, Inc. today released the new QWA-AC2600 wireless adapter that can provide increased flexibility in NAS deployment and potential NAS applications. The QWA-AC2600 is a 2.4/5 GHz dual band dual concurrent (DBDC), 4 x 4 multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) PCI Express (PCIe) wireless adapter, equipped with two Qualcomm QCA9984 NICs, that supports speeds up to 2533 Mbps.

Joan Hsieh, Product Manager of QNAP, said, "The QWA-AC2600 wireless adapter can turn Ubuntu/Linux PCs or compatible QNAP NAS into wireless access points or base stations, providing more flexibility in usage and more potential applications. Multiple QWA-AC2600 adapters can be installed into a single Ubuntu/Linux PC or QNAP NAS for flexible deployments and performance expansions without the clutter of network cables."

The QWA-AC2600 can be used with Ubuntu/Linux PCs or QNAP NAS to set up wireless access points or base stations for other wireless devices to directly access data inside it, while offloading traffic from the primary wireless base station. Ideal scenarios include IoT (Internet of Things) developments, video surveillance and more. The QWA-AC2600 can be used on QNAP NAS with the WirelessAP Station app and the Network and Virtual Switch app can be used to enable advanced features such as DHCP and NAT.

Key specifications
QWA-AC2600: PCIe 2.0 x1 interface, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz DBDC, 4 x 4 MU-MIMO, max. 2533 Mbps, antennas detachable, with magnetic stand base and full-height & specialized (for selected QNAP NAS) brackets included

Availability
The new QWA-AC2600 is now available for purchase. For more information and to view the full QNAP NAS and peripheral lineup, please visit www.qnap.com.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

Flanker · May 24, 2018

Holy smokes, I didn't know network components need this type of cooling.

natr0n · May 24, 2018

But can it stream Crysis...

Supercrit · May 24, 2018

Flanker said:
Holy smokes, I didn't know network components need this type of cooling.

I had a router CPU cooled with a modded real CPU cooler, in hot summer days it could get rather uncomfortably warm, much less disconnections due to overheating too.

TheLostSwede · May 24, 2018

Flanker said:
Holy smokes, I didn't know network components need this type of cooling.

This is technically a router on an add-in card. Considering the tight space in some of the NASes, the active cooling might actually be needed.
It's actually not the CPU that's the hottest part in high-end routers, but the power amplifiers. They're tiny and hard to cool.

ZeDestructor · May 24, 2018

Hmm.. That antenna array. I like it. Where can I buy it?

FreedomEclipse · May 24, 2018

ZeDestructor said:
Hmm.. That antenna array. I like it. Where can I buy it?

I think Asus used to have something similar bundled with their high end AC network cards. Not sure if this is still the case though

TXST Guardian · May 24, 2018

I want the water block version lmk when that's out thnx lol

ZeDestructor · May 24, 2018

FreedomEclipse said:
I think Asus used to have something similar bundled with their high end AC network cards. Not sure if this is still the case though

Not in the full 4x4 setup afaik :/

Athlonite · May 25, 2018

TheLostSwede said:
This is technically a router on an add-in card. Considering the tight space in some of the NASes, the active cooling might actually be needed.
It's actually not the CPU that's the hottest part in high-end routers, but the power amplifiers. They're tiny and hard to cool.

Um not it's not it's a dual chip wireless nic and that's it

mejobloggs · May 25, 2018

What a beautiful heatsink

TheLostSwede · May 25, 2018

Athlonite said:
Um not it's not it's a dual chip wireless nic and that's it

Huh? The QCA9984 is router grade hardware combined with four PA's per chip. You do not get this in a wireless NIC.
Maybe read up on your tech before making uneducated comments.
Yes, there's no router SoC on this board, but that doesn't mean this isn't half a router on an add-in card.
This won't work with Windows, as QCA only provides Linux drivers for these chips, so saying it's just a "dual chip wireless nic and that's it" is obviously not correct.
Or maybe you think it's normal to pay $160 for a WiFi card that's limited to what platforms it can run on?

Athlonite · May 25, 2018

TheLostSwede said:
Huh? The QCA9984 is router grade hardware combined with four PA's per chip. You do not get this in a wireless NIC.
Maybe read up on your tech before making uneducated comments.
Yes, there's no router SoC on this board, but that doesn't mean this isn't half a router on an add-in card.
This won't work with Windows, as QCA only provides Linux drivers for these chips, so saying it's just a "dual chip wireless nic and that's it" is obviously not correct.
Or maybe you think it's normal to pay $160 for a WiFi card that's limited to what platforms it can run on?

did you read the specs for it differently than I did, it maybe router grade but it's not a router it's dual chip dual channel quad connection NIC just because it wont run in a PC under windows doesn't change the fact it's just a NIC

TheLostSwede · May 25, 2018

Athlonite said:
did you read the specs for it differently than I did, it maybe router grade but it's not a router it's dual chip dual channel quad connection NIC just because it wont run in a PC under windows doesn't change the fact it's just a NIC

Clearly you don't understand what this is, but that's ok...

Athlonite · May 25, 2018

TheLostSwede said:
Clearly you don't understand what this is, but that's ok...

Sorry I understand completely what it is it's you who are trying to make it sound more complicated than it really is IT'S A FLAMING 4 WAY WIFI NIC so it's still a bloody NIC isn't it

TheLostSwede · May 25, 2018

Athlonite said:
Sorry I understand completely what it is it's you who are trying to make it sound more complicated than it really is IT'S A FLAMING 4 WAY WIFI NIC so it's still a bloody NIC isn't it

Whatever dude.

Deathlokke · May 25, 2018

Athlonite said:
Sorry I understand completely what it is it's you who are trying to make it sound more complicated than it really is IT'S A FLAMING 4 WAY WIFI NIC so it's still a bloody NIC isn't it

"The QWA-AC2600 wireless adapter can turn Ubuntu/Linux PCs or compatible QNAP NAS into wireless access points "

This is far more than just a NIC. A standard desktop NIC cannot function effectively as a WAP.

Prima.Vera · May 25, 2018

Prepare to get your brain friend from all that EM power!

Processor	Intel Core i5 8400
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z370N-Wifi
Cooling	Silverstone AR05
Memory	Micron Crucial 16GB DDR4-2400
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte GTX1080 G1 Gaming 8G
Storage	Micron Crucial MX300 275GB
Display(s)	Dell U2415
Case	Silverstone RVZ02B
Power Supply	Silverstone SSR-SX550
Keyboard	Ducky One Red Switch
Software	Windows 10 Pro 1909

System Name	natr0n-PC
Processor	Ryzen 5950x-5600x \| 9600k
Motherboard	B450 AORUS M \| Z390 UD
Cooling	EK AIO 360 - 6 fan action \| AIO
Memory	Patriot - Viper Steel DDR4 (B-Die)(4x8GB) \| Samsung DDR4 (4x8GB)
Video Card(s)	EVGA 3070ti FTW
Storage	Various
Display(s)	Pixio PX279 Prime
Case	Thermaltake Level 20 VT \| Black bench
Audio Device(s)	LOXJIE D10 + Kinter Amp + 6 Bookshelf Speakers Sony+JVC+Sony
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex III ARGB 80+ Gold 650W \| EVGA 700 Gold
Software	XP/7/8.1/10
Benchmark Scores	http://valid.x86.fr/79kuh6

Processor	Ryzen 2700X
Motherboard	Asrock X470 Master sli/ac
Cooling	Raijintek Themis Evo
Memory	Team Dark Pro 3200 cl14
Video Card(s)	GTX 1080
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus Gold Plus 850W

System Name	Overlord Mk MLI
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory	32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s)	Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage	1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s)	Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case	Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s)	Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply	be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse	Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard	Corsair K70 Max
Software	Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	https://valid.x86.fr/yfsd9w

System Name	Diablo \| Baal \| Mephisto \| Andariel
Processor	i5-3570K@4.4GHz \| 2x Xeon X5675 \| i7-4710MQ \| i7-2640M
Motherboard	Asus Sabertooth Z77 \| HP DL380 G6 \| Dell Precision M4800 \| Lenovo Thinkpad X220 Tablet
Cooling	Swiftech H220-X \| Chassis cooled (6 fans + HS) \| dual-fanned heatpipes \| small-fanned heatpipe
Memory	32GiB DDR3-1600 CL9 \| 96GiB DDR3-1333 ECC RDIMM \| 32GiB DDR3L-1866 CL11 \| 8GiB DDR3L-1600 CL11
Video Card(s)	Dual GTX 670 in SLI \| Embedded ATi ES1000 \| Quadro K2100M \| Intel HD 3000
Storage	many, many SSDs and HDDs....
Display(s)	1 Dell U3011 + 2x Dell U2410 \| HP iLO2 KVMoIP \| 3200x1800 Sharp IGZO \| 1366x768 IPS with Wacom pen
Case	Corsair Obsidian 550D \| HP DL380 G6 Chassis \| Dell Precision M4800 \| Lenovo Thinkpad X220 Tablet
Audio Device(s)	Auzentech X-Fi HomeTheater HD \| None \| On-board \| On-board
Power Supply	Corsair AX850 \| Dual 750W Redundant PSU (Delta) \| Dell 330W+240W (Flextronics) \| Lenovo 65W (Delta)
Mouse	Logitech G502, Logitech G700s, Logitech G500, Dell optical mouse (emergency backup)
Keyboard	1985 IBM Model F 122-key, Ducky YOTT MX Black, Dell AT101W, 1994 IBM Model M, various integrated
Software	FAAAR too much to list

QNAP Unveils the QWA-AC2600 Wireless Adapter

Chino

Flanker

natr0n

Supercrit

TheLostSwede

News Editor

ZeDestructor

FreedomEclipse

~Technological Technocrat~

TXST Guardian

ZeDestructor

Athlonite

mejobloggs

TheLostSwede

News Editor

Athlonite

TheLostSwede

News Editor

Athlonite

TheLostSwede

News Editor

Deathlokke

New Member

Prima.Vera

System Name	DarnGosh Edition
Processor	AMD 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI X670E GAMING PLUS
Cooling	Thermalright AM5 Contact Frame + Phantom Spirit 120SE
Memory	2x32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO DDR5 6000 CL32-38-38-96
Video Card(s)	Asus Dual Radeon™ RX 6700 XT OC Edition
Storage	WD SN770 1TB (Boot)\| 2x 2TB WD SN770 (Gaming)\| 2x 2TB Crucial BX500\| 2x 3TB Toshiba DT01ACA300
Display(s)	LG GP850-B
Case	Corsair 760T (White) {1xCorsair ML120 Pro\|5xML140 Pro}
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha RX-V573\|Speakers: JBL Control One\|Auna 300-CN\|Wharfedale Diamond SW150
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus GX-850 80+ GOLD
Mouse	Logitech G502 X
Keyboard	Duckyshine Dead LED(s) III
Software	Windows 11 Home
Benchmark Scores	ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ

Processor	AMD Ryzen 1700X
Motherboard	ASRock X370 Taichi
Cooling	EKWB Custom Loop
Memory	16GB (2x8GB) G.Skill Trident Z RGB 3000Mhz
Video Card(s)	MSI Gaming X GTX 1080 EKWB Nickel WB
Storage	256GB WD Black M.2 O/S & 1TB WD Black Storage
Case	Anidees Crystal Cube RGB
Power Supply	Corsair RM 850 W/ Cable Mod Carbon Pro Cables
Mouse	Razer Deathadder
Keyboard	Razer Black Widow
Software	Win 10

System Name	Cumquat 2021
Processor	AMD RyZen R7 7800X3D
Motherboard	Asus Strix X670E - E Gaming WIFI
Cooling	Deep Cool LT720 + CM MasterGel Pro TP + Lian Li Uni Fan V2
Memory	32GB GSkill Trident Z5 Neo 6000
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Nitro+ OC RX6800 16GB DDR6 2270Cclk / 2010Mclk
Storage	1x Adata SX8200PRO NVMe 1TB gen3 x4 1X Samsung 980 Pro NVMe Gen 4 x4 1TB, 12TB of HDD Storage
Display(s)	AOC 24G2 IPS 144Hz FreeSync Premium 1920x1080p
Case	Lian Li O11D XL ROG edition
Audio Device(s)	RX6800 via HDMI + Pioneer VSX-531 amp Technics 100W 5.1 Speaker set
Power Supply	EVGA 1000W G5 Gold
Mouse	Logitech G502 Proteus Core Wired
Keyboard	Logitech G915 Wireless
Software	Windows 11 X64 PRO (build 23H2)
Benchmark Scores	it sucks even more less now ;)

Processor	Intel® Core™ i7-13700K
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15
Memory	32GB(2x16) DDR5@6600MHz G-Skill Trident Z5
Video Card(s)	ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3080 AMP Holo
Storage	2TB SK Platinum P41 SSD + 4TB SanDisk Ultra SSD + 500GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD
Display(s)	Acer Predator X34 3440x1440@100Hz G-Sync
Case	NZXT PHANTOM410-BK
Audio Device(s)	Creative X-Fi Titanium PCIe
Power Supply	Corsair 850W
Mouse	Logitech Hero G502 SE
Software	Windows 11 Pro - 64bit
Benchmark Scores	30FPS in NFS:Rivals