QNAP Introduces Cost-efficient 10 GbE-ready TS-432X and TS-632X Tower NAS

[btarunr]

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading computing, networking, and storage solution innovator, today launched new entry-level business NAS models including 4-bay TS-432X and 6-bay TS-632X, tailored for personal studio and SMBs to optimize workflows and collaboration. Featuring a quad-core processor, high-speed 2.5GbE/10GbE ports, and PCIe expansion capabilities, both new models excel in performance and versatility to streamline multi-device file backups, data security, and file management while also simplifying data storage, search, and sharing tasks.

Andy Chuang, Product Manager of QNAP, stated "With the rising popularity of 10GbE applications, the TS-432X and TS-632X offer ideal solutions for small to medium-sized businesses seeking smaller-capacity 10GbE NAS options. Users can benefit from a versatile storage solution featuring multiple LAN ports and PCIe expandability, all within a modest budget."



Equipped with built-in 10GbE SFP+ network ports, the TS-432X and TS-632X enable higher bandwidth for seamless large file transfers and intensive data access. Businesses can further leverage QNAP's 10GbE SFP+ network switches to affordably upgrade network environments. Both models support JBOD storage expansion to accommodate growing data.

Providing full backup support, the TS-432X and TS-632X helps users safeguard data from diverse devices and sources, including Windows /Mac computer files, WordPress sites, Google Photos, and Google Workspace /Microsoft 365 SaaS backups. It is also recommended to regularly create NAS snapshots and execute remote backup to the immutable myQNAPcloud Storage for disaster recovery preparedness to mitigate ransomware threats.

The TS-432X and TS-632X supports VPN and firewall security features to enhance data and system protection. More install-on-demand applications are available from the built-in App Center: QVR Surveillance Solution empowers the NAS as a comprehensive video surveillance system; Container Station enables the NAS to host Docker applications, while a wide range of apps are accessible from the Docker Hub online marketplace.

Key specifications

• TS-432X: 4-bay tower model; 1 x 10GbE SFP+ port
• TS-632X: 6-bay tower model; 2 x 10GbE SFP+ port

AnnapurnaLabs, an Amazon company Alpine AL524 quad-core 2.00 GHz processor; 4 GB non-ECC RAM (up to 16 GB, ECC RAM supported); hot-swappable 2.5-inch/3.5-inch SATA 6 Gbps HDD/SSD; 2 x 2.5GbE RJ45 LAN ports; 1x PCIe Gen 3 x4 slot; 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A ports; Support USB One-Touch-Copy

For more information, visit the product pages of the TS-432X and the TS-632X.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Chaitanya]

Can we get a review of these units?

 

[ymdhis]

About fucking time, Asustor had a 10GbE unit 5 years ago.
And it used RJ45 not Fiber.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Can we get a review of these units?

Just for you, I've requested a review unit from my old boss there.

About fucking time, Asustor had a 10GbE unit 5 years ago.
And it used RJ45 not Fiber.

QNAP has several 10 Gbps capable models, but they often want to sell you a 10 Gbps NIC, as does Asustor for a lot of models.
This is not the first Annapurna powered NAS with 10 Gbps from QNAP either.
To me, the most interesting part here is that the memory is upgradable, which is not common on Arm based hardware.

 

[Chaitanya]

Just for you, I've requested a review unit from my old boss there.


QNAP has several 10 Gbps capable models, but they often want to sell you a 10 Gbps NIC, as does Asustor for a lot of models.
This is not the first Annapurna powered NAS with 10 Gbps from QNAP either.
To me, the most interesting part here is that the memory is upgradable, which is not common on Arm based hardware.

Will be looking forward to review, apart from expandable memory its interesting to see ARM based NAS unit with expansion slot available for adding network and storage options none of which are common feature set for this group of CPUs.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Will be looking forward to review, apart from expandable memory its interesting to see ARM based NAS unit with expansion slot available for adding network and storage options none of which are common feature set for this group of CPUs.

That's not unique I guess, but admittedly rare.

 

[Octavean]

The QNAP TS-653D isn't a bad NAS. It only came with dual 2.5GbE and no NVMe SSD support but it does have an Intel Celeron J4125 4 core / 4 thread SoC. In my case I upgraded it to 10GbE and dual NVMe SSD via the QM2-2P10G1TA add-in card, which naturally adds top the overall cost.

My main issue with ARM SoC implementations are that they may be somewhat limiting. It would be a different story if NAS manufacturers used more capable ARM SoCs the likes of which might be found in an iPad Pro or a more robust ARM server. And presumably that software devs would / could make more of the hardware. Until then X86 / X64 seems like the safer bet.

Still, if someone just needs basic file storage with no need for the NAS to take on addition tasks then ARM should be a good cost effective option. Assuming they make it cheap enough.

 

[TheLostSwede]

The QNAP TS-653D isn't a bad NAS. It only came with dual 2.5GbE and no NVMe SSD support but it does have an Intel Celeron J4125 4 core / 4 thread SoC. In my case I upgraded it to 10GbE and dual NVMe SSD via the QM2-2P10G1TA add-in card, which naturally adds top the overall cost.

That add-in card will be limited by the fact that the NAS model in question only has a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot, so you'll never get close to 10 Gbps, which the product page also makes clear.

My main issue with ARM SoC implementations are that they may be somewhat limiting. It would be a different story if NAS manufacturers used more capable ARM SoCs the likes of which might be found in an iPad Pro or a more robust ARM server. And presumably that software devs would / could make more of the hardware. Until then X86 / X64 seems like the safer bet.

It's not the Arm SoC that's the issue in most cases, but rather the software support. I haven't managed to find the specifics for this new Annapurna SoC and I had in fact thought they discontinued their third party product offerings after having been taken over by Amazon. However, this might end up being a derivative of their server SoCs. Also, don't confuse Arm SoCs made for storage applications with a phone or tablet SoC, as the latter wouldn't be suitable due to lacking the proper interfaces and being highly customised for their usage case. Yes, there are some more general purpose Arm SoCs as well, but they are only just now starting to become truly general purpose rather than being limited in many different ways.

On top of all this, software support for Arm based NAS appliances tend to be far worse than their x86/x64 counterparts.

Still, if someone just needs basic file storage with no need for the NAS to take on addition tasks then ARM should be a good cost effective option. Assuming they make it cheap enough.

This should in fact be better than your NAS, as it supports ECC RAM for those that want that, it can be equipped with up to 16 GB of RAM vs. 8 GB for yours, it has a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and it might be able to offer close to 10 Gbps throughput. The only thing lacking is HDMI output, but I don't know of a lot of people that hook up their NAS to their TV to watch movies directly from it.

 

[Minus Infinity]

My new QNAP TS-x64 supports 10Gbe addon card, so I can upgrade later when PC also has the capability. Out of box it has dual 2.5Gbe which my PC and router have as well, so good for now.

 

[Octavean]

That add-in card will be limited by the fact that the NAS model in question only has a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot, so you'll never get close to 10 Gbps, which the product page also makes clear.

It's not the Arm SoC that's the issue in most cases, but rather the software support. I haven't managed to find the specifics for this new Annapurna SoC and I had in fact thought they discontinued their third party product offerings after having been taken over by Amazon. However, this might end up being a derivative of their server SoCs. Also, don't confuse Arm SoCs made for storage applications with a phone or tablet SoC, as the latter wouldn't be suitable due to lacking the proper interfaces and being highly customised for their usage case. Yes, there are some more general purpose Arm SoCs as well, but they are only just now starting to become truly general purpose rather than being limited in many different ways.

On top of all this, software support for Arm based NAS appliances tend to be far worse than their x86/x64 counterparts.

This should in fact be better than your NAS, as it supports ECC RAM for those that want that, it can be equipped with up to 16 GB of RAM vs. 8 GB for yours, it has a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and it might be able to offer close to 10 Gbps throughput. The only thing lacking is HDMI output, but I don't know of a lot of people that hook up their NAS to their TV to watch movies directly from it.

Yeah, it’s a few years old now and better NAS hardware can be had for sure. It’s direct predecessor is a good option for example (more PCIe lanes, built in NVMe support USB 3.2 Gen 2 support). However, the TS-653D can run docker, VMs, Plex, Emby and more. While 16GB of RAM isn’t officially supported my unit is running with 16GB of RAM nevertheless.

Now, if this ARM based NAS can run the same apps as well or better then an X86 or X64 based NAS then I’m more then willing to consider buying one.

Either way I look forward to reading the review.

 

[Crackong]

Still waiting for someone to come up with a model in size of a 620slim with 10GbE NIC and 2.5" SSD only

 

[Caring1]

This wouldn't look out of place on a shelf in a retail store among the microwaves.

 

[DaemonForce]

The TS-432X looks exactly like what I look for from a SFF PC turned into a hypervisor + network traffic controller but ARM is really weird curveball since I'm so used to AMD64.
Setup some disks with Samba and iSCSI, networked containers, maybe a VM or two...
Have it directly connected to the modem and a 2nd server over Ethernets and a direct connection to a workstation PC over SFP as the primary Internet gateway.
Set a TON of virtual shares (facing Internet) and a single PCI-E expansion for something like a Warpdrive SAS cache to accelerate frequently accessed data.
Just plug it in, power it on and funny storage device goes BRRRRRR.
My favorite part of these things is the dimensions. They look like they barely take up any physical space at all. Bet they're quiet too. I don't see any 80mm fans.

 

[Octavean]

The TS-432X looks exactly like what I look for from a SFF PC turned into a hypervisor + network traffic controller but ARM is really weird curveball since I'm so used to AMD64.
Setup some disks with Samba and iSCSI, networked containers, maybe a VM or two...
Have it directly connected to the modem and a 2nd server over Ethernets and a direct connection to a workstation PC over SFP as the primary Internet gateway.
Set a TON of virtual shares (facing Internet) and a single PCI-E expansion for something like a Warpdrive SAS cache to accelerate frequently accessed data.
Just plug it in, power it on and funny storage device goes BRRRRRR.
My favorite part of these things is the dimensions. They look like they barely take up any physical space at all. Bet they're quiet too. I don't see any 80mm fans.

These new ARM models use the same basic chassis design as its predecessors. So for example, the TS-632X is nearly identical to the TS-653D that I have and its successor the TS-664. All of these 6 bay models have a dual rear fan implementation (2x90mm). The 4 bay variation all likely have a single 120mm fan. The front cover makes it look solid state but air is vented from the bottom front and side. It can be run without the front cover though and that would make it look a little less like a Microwave oven,...

 

[Tigerfox]

It’s direct predecessor is a good option for example (more PCIe lanes, built in NVMe support USB 3.2 Gen 2 support). However, the TS-653D can run docker, VMs, Plex, Emby and more. While 16GB of RAM isn’t officially supported my unit is running with 16GB of RAM nevertheless.

What QNAP 6-bay NAS are you talking about as being the predecessor to the 653D?

We won't get anything vastly different than the 664 in the near future. Intel's Alder Lake-N may offer up to double the cores (i3-N300/305) and higher clock compared to Jasper Lake and Elkhart Lake, but it still only offers 9xPCIe Gen3 instead of previously 8. Still only enough for 2x2.5GbE, 1-2 Lanes for a 4-6xSATA controller, 2xM.2 with 1-2 Lanes and one x2 slot. Decent bandwith for 10GbE and M.2 would require leaving the 2x2.5GbE out from the start. We can still hope for 2x5GbE with Realtek RTL8126, though.
AMD isn't offering anything better or anything at all, for that matter. The first gen Ryzen embedded used by QNAP and Synology are flawed and now only available without IGP. They could use Ryzen embedded V2000 or V3000 (identical to mobile renoir and rembrand APUs) but they somehow don't.

 

[Octavean]

I misspoke. I meant to say successor not predecessor. So in this case the TS-664