Exterior

At the front are several LED indicators and two buttons, one for switching the NAS on and off and another with backup functionality. The front also sports a USB 3.0 port, which will surely come in handy. The trays are behind a plastic door a magnet secures in place. The top and side covers are made of metal, not plastic, which impressed me.


Here is a detailed description of the NAS server's front and a table for its LED functionality.


The sides of the NAS each have a small exhaust grill.


On the back and right, below the 92mm fan's grill, are several I/O ports, including two Ethernet, an eSATA, and two USB 3.0 ports. There are also a Kensington lock, the power input, and Reset switch. Hidden inside the chassis, the latter is only accessible through a small hole.


On the bottom are four circular feet with rubber pads to elevate the NAS off the ground a bit. The bottom also comes with a label with the unit's model and serial numbers and the Ethernet ports' MAC addresses.


You have to push the latch toward the bottom down in order to remove the trays. The latch can be locked in place through a small switch at its center.


Mounting and dismounting HDDs is rather difficult with these trays; that is, if you haven't done it before. The quick-start guide should include some tips on the procedure. There is an explanatory sticker on the trays, but I couldn't take a closer look at it since the HDDs had been pre-installed. You have to remove the screws, close the latch, push the HDD back, and release the latch to take the HDD out.