QNAP Introduces the New TS-x64 2.5GbE NAS Powered by Intel Celeron

[btarunr]

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading computing, networking, and storage solution innovator, today launched the 4-bay TS-464 and 6-bay TS-664 quad-core 2.5 GbE NAS designed for professionals and office users with high-speed demands. With M.2 NVMe SSD slots, PCIe Gen 3 expandability for 10 GbE or 5 GbE connectivity and 4K HDMI output, the TS-x64 enables not only installing a QM2 card for M.2 SSD caching, but also convenient virtual machine display and smooth multimedia streaming. The TS-x64 also supports Snapshots to help protect data from ransomware threats.

"By integrating Intel's Celeron high-performance processor and providing 2.5 GbE speeds, M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slots and PCIe Gen 3 expansion slots, QNAP's TS-x64 includes cutting-edge hardware to fulfill high-bandwidth data transmission and virtualization applications," said Meiji Chang, General Manager of QNAP. "We are excited to see QNAP adopt the latest Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processors for its new NAS series, allowing SMB users to take advantage of the flexible I/O and performance capabilities of the processor for their performance-demanding applications," said Jason Ziller, General Manager, Client Connectivity Division at Intel Corporation.



The TS-x64 is powered by an Intel Celeron N5105/ N5095 quad-core 4-thread processor (burst up to 2.9 GHz) with Intel AES-NI encryption engine and support for up to 16 GB dual-channel memory. The TS-x64 has two 2.5 GbE ports, two USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) ports, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) ports that provide faster data transfer and backup. With the M.2 PCIe Gen3 slot, the TS-x64 enables cache acceleration or SSD storage pools for improved performance. The TS-x64 has a PCIe Gen 3 slot allowing installing a 10GbE network card, a QM2 card for NVMe SSD caching or Qtier. The TS-x64's storage capacity can be expanded by connecting TL and TR storage expansion enclosures.

The TS-x64 adopts the latest QTS 5.0 operating system and includes rich NAS home/business applications: HBS (Hybrid Backup Sync) realizes efficient local/remote/cloud backup jobs; Block-based snapshots make data protection and recovery easier and effectively mitigates the threat of ransomware; HybridMount provides cloud storage gateways that integrate private and public cloud storage and enable local caching; Virtualization Station and Container Station enable light virtualization applications; QVR Elite helps deploy a cutting-edge smart surveillance system. To help fight against cyber threats, the TS-x64 provides authentication management, QVPN (Supporting WireGuard), Malware Remover, and Security Counselor for enhanced NAS security. Home users will also enjoy the wide range of multimedia applications (including Plex), streaming capabilities, and a built-in HDMI port, which allows them to enjoy their multimedia on their device of choice.

Key specifications

• TS-464-4G: 4 x 3.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s drive bays, 4 GB DDR4 memory
• TS-664-4G: 6 x 3.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s drive bays, 4 GB DDR4 memory

Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 quad-core processor (burst up to 2.9 GHz); DDR4 SODIMM dual-channel memory (supports up to 16 GB); hot-swappable 2.5/3.5-inch SATA 6 Gbps HDD/SSD; 2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3 x1 slots, 1x PCIe Gen3 x2 slot; 2 x 2.5 GbE RJ45 ports, 1x HDMI 2.0 4K output; 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports.

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[randomUser]

650 eur for the 4 bay version. I find this to be way too high for such a system.
I understand they want so much because they invested alot into their proprietary OS, but i would rather buy this for 200-250 eur(without OS) and install windows/linux on it.

Also the consumption. They state it eats 21 watts in hdd sleep mode, which is alot for such a system. I don't think this is celerons problem. CPU idles at around 2-3W.

 

[Octavean]

650 eur for the 4 bay version. I find this to be way too high for such a system.
I understand they want so much because they invested alot into their proprietary OS, but i would rather buy this for 200-250 eur(without OS) and install windows/linux on it.

Also the consumption. They state it eats 21 watts in hdd sleep mode, which is alot for such a system. I don't think this is celerons problem. CPU idles at around 2-3W.

I have the previous model (6 bay) which is the TS-653D and I acquired it with a discount that made it about ~$350 eur out the door. It’s a decent product but QNAP has had some issues with their software and OS implementation. A lot of people would be better off just building their own or going with decommissioned enterprise hardware.

 

[phanbuey]

I think they mean powered by "Intel Chip"

 

[Tigerfox]

Why in the name of God did they split the four PCIe-lanes into 2xM.2 Gen3x1 and one Gen3x2-Slot instead of one x4-Slot which could use one of their QM2-Cards (for 2xM.2 Gen3x4 or 2xM.2 Gen3x2 +2xGbE), Network cards (1-2x10GbE or 1-4x5/2.5GbE) or even just an adapter from PCIe to M.2 for one Gen3x4 SSD?

What use is one Gen3x1-Slot for NVMe? Why would anyone rather use two of those then one x2 or better x4?

I fear this is inteded as an upgrade over the new TS-453E which don't offer upgradable SO-DIMM-RAM and PCIe anymore, but it is still only as good as the predecessor TS-453D for above reason.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I have the previous model (6 bay) which is the TS-653D and I acquired it with a discount that made it about ~$350 eur out the door. It’s a decent product but QNAP has had some issues with their software and OS implementation. A lot of people would be better off just building their own or going with decommissioned enterprise hardware.

The software issues aren't exclusive to QNAP though, as all of the NAS makers have run afoul when it comes to not patching security holes etc.
I built my own NAS running OMV, but even a custom setup like that, is unlikely to be free of issues and it takes a lot more know-how when it comes to getting it up and running.
Yes, my NAS has far superior hardware, but at the same time, your average consumer wouldn't be able to put something like it together and when I have issues, I can't pick up the phone and call support for help.
There are pros and cons both ways.

 

[Octavean]

The software issues aren't exclusive to QNAP though, as all of the NAS makers have run afoul when it comes to not patching security holes etc.
I built my own NAS running OMV, but even a custom setup like that, is unlikely to be free of issues and it takes a lot more know-how when it comes to getting it up and running.
Yes, my NAS has far superior hardware, but at the same time, your average consumer wouldn't be able to put something like it together and when I have issues, I can't pick up the phone and call support for help.
There are pros and cons both ways.

I should have specified because I wasn’t actually referring to security related issues with respect to QNAP. The fact that you thought that I was probably speaks for itself though.

No, actually I was referring to oddities and issues that arise with respect to functionality or stability of QNAP apps / OS. So for example, on two different QNAP NAS models I had QuFireWall installed, configured and updated. However, after updating QTS Firmware (forget which 5.0.x version but it was a couple of iterations ago) the NAS would drop its connection to the network within about 5 minutes after boot (every boot) and wouldn’t recover without a reboot. No ping, no SSH nothing. The remedy was to uninstall QuFireWall manually, which wasn’t easy given the slow boot times of QNAP NAS units, slow OS / app response just after boot and small 5min. Reinstalling and reconfiguring QuFireWall results in the issue immediately reoccurring.

It also took me some time to assess / correct the issue myself. I opened a ticket with QNAP but I was able to correct the issue myself before they provided any real solutions (they suggested a system reset). After correcting the issue myself I provided the solution / nature of the issue to QNAP tech support hoping they would address it in the next firmware revision,……they didn’t which is why it happened to me again on my second QNAP NAS (and subsequent next firmware revision). I was able to help a few people online that described the same issue though.

I’ve never had an issues so serious with my Synology NAS that it would render it effectively useless let alone one that was attributed to a Synology firmware + Synology app combo.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I should have specified because I wasn’t actually referring to security related issues with respect to QNAP. The fact that you thought that I was probably speaks for itself though.

No, actually I was referring to oddities and issues that arise with respect to functionality or stability of QNAP apps / OS. So for example, on two different QNAP NAS models I had QuFireWall installed, configured and updated. However, after updating QTS Firmware (forget which 5.0.x version but it was a couple of iterations ago) the NAS would drop its connection to the network within about 5 minutes after boot (every boot) and wouldn’t recover without a reboot. No ping, no SSH nothing. The remedy was to uninstall QuFireWall manually, which wasn’t easy given the slow boot times of QNAP NAS units, slow OS / app response just after boot and small 5min. Reinstalling and reconfiguring QuFireWall results in the issue immediately reoccurring.

It also took me some time to assess / correct the issue myself. I opened a ticket with QNAP but I was able to correct the issue myself before they provided any real solutions (they suggested a system reset). After correcting the issue myself I provided the solution / nature of the issue to QNAP tech support hoping they would address it in the next firmware revision,……they didn’t which is why it happened to me again on my second QNAP NAS (and subsequent next firmware revision). I was able to help a few people online that described the same issue though.

I’ve never had an issues so serious with my Synology NAS that it would render it effectively useless let alone one that was attributed to a Synology firmware + Synology app combo.

I'm glad to hear that nothing has changed since I worked there... I jest of course, not about me having worked there, the other part.

The boot time issues are because all (to my knowledge at least) NAS makers insist to install the OS on the mechanical drives and it's really not acceptable in 2022.

QNAP have had issues that their in-house techs haven't even been able to work out why they happen, with the only solution having been to roll back or update to a new software release.
They also don't take bugs like this very serious, although they seem to have upped their game when it comes to security related issues.

QNAP support doesn't give a F...
I was among other things in charge of their fourms (not part of the support department) and got someone working for the Canadian government on there, being furious due to having zero response from the support team over what he felt were serious security concerns. The support team manager was on a jolly in Europe (was going to attend CeBit for some reason) and the person left in charge didn't want to deal with it. I guess that's how you lose potential customers...

Taiwanese companies in general aren't very good on the whole customer service bit.

 

[pumero]

I have the previous model (6 bay) which is the TS-653D and I acquired it with a discount that made it about ~$350 eur out the door. It’s a decent product but QNAP has had some issues with their software and OS implementation. A lot of people would be better off just building their own or going with decommissioned enterprise hardware.

I bought the TS-453D for a very good price (at the time) two years ago, but I agree that the standard asking price is a bit too high (the same goes for Synology, especially with Gbit only).
However, I read some time ago that it is possible to install something different, like Linux, on QNAP Devices with x86 Hardware.
If I remember correctly, there even is a How-To on the QNAP website for this.

Due to a lack of time I have not tried it out yet though.

 

[Octavean]

I bought the TS-453D for a very good price (at the time) two years ago, but I agree that the standard asking price is a bit too high (the same goes for Synology, especially with Gbit only).
However, I read some time ago that it is possible to install something different, like Linux, on QNAP Devices with x86 Hardware.
If I remember correctly, there even is a How-To on the QNAP website for this.

Due to a lack of time I have not tried it out yet though.

I realize not everyone has the time, wherewithal, knowledge or inclination to build or modify their own server or NAS. This is why such solutions are popular.

I will point out that I’ve seen some rather robust old QNAP NAS units going for relatively little money on eBay. Xeon based NAS units that would run rings around these modern Atom and Celeron systems (save for video encode / decode due to the lack of modern iGPU graphics). Still, one could possibly add a GPU if they were able to go with a different OS.