Introduction

We would like to thank Shuttle for supplying the review sample.



Incredibly popular in their own segment of the market, Shuttle is widely known for their dimensionally small barebones, and they apparently sought to explore new territories by entering the NAS market with the OMNINAS KD20 we already reviewed. That model sold so well that Shuttle decided to release two new NAS boxes, the KD21 and KD22. The first mostly addresses the budget-oriented user and looks like the mainstream KD20 model because of its white enclosure, while the second packs a little stronger hardware and more features, but inevitably also costs a little more. Both utilize fresh ARM-based CPUs clocked to 1-1.2 GHz and have twice the memory of the first OMNINAS KD20. Speeds on paper reach 110 MB/s read and 75 MB/s write, and the new, stronger CPUs promise good performance with even multiple services running at the same time as network transfers take place. The KD20 admittedly didn't perform so well there because of its weak CPU and low RAM total, so we are really curious to see if the new members of the family will do better.

This review will take a look at the current flagship of the OMNINAS line, the KD22. It not only comes with a stronger CPU and a fancy black case, but has an integrated wireless LAN function that allows multiple devices, like notebooks, tablets, or smartphones, to wirelessly connect to it. The KD22 can, in other words, be transformed into a fully featured hot spot. It also has a hot-swap function that allows you to easily remove and replace HDDs, and another interesting feature that caught our attention was the PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) camera copy option. Connecting a camera that supports this function to one of the USB ports at the front will then automatically save your photos and videos to a specified folder, which saves you the trouble of powering your PC up to perform the task.

Specifications

Contrary to the older KD20, this NAS utilizes a single-core ARM CPU that is clocked to a much higher 1.2 GHz. We wonder why Shuttle didn't pick a dual-core again, but they probably thought that this particular single-core CPU has what it takes for a home NAS. Our tough test sessions will prove whether they did right or should have gone with a stronger processor, which, however, would take more juice, and energy-efficiency is a major theme among such small NAS boxes.

At 512 MB, there is very little RAM to back up the CPU, but the customized Linux firmware Shuttle tailored around the unit doesn't need much. However, we would still feel more comfortable with double twice as much. The unit can also take up to two HDDs for a total of 8 TB, though it unfortunately doesn't provide iSCSI support. Networking is one of the unit's strengths since it comes with an essential Ethernet port and a built-in WiFi network card, which allows it to act as a hot spot. The rest of the I/O interface includes two USB 3.0 ports comfortably located at the front, a single USB 2.0 at the rear, and an SD card reader on the face of the NAS. No eSATA port was included, but we believe that most users won't miss one.

The dimensions of the KD22 are very compact and its weight is low. Shuttle also says its power consumption to be very low, but we are going to take our own measurements to find out if the numbers they provided are accurate. The external power brick that feeds this NAS is small; however, the 65 W it can provide will be more than enough. Finally, the small fan is thermally controlled to keep noise output low, which is important since this NAS will mostly be used in homes, where noise can be an issue.

The price Shuttle asks for the KD22 looks very good considering its features, and the warranty exceeds the typical two-year period most NAS manufacturers provide for even their high-end models. We think that other NAS manufacturers should follow Shuttle's example by expanding their warranty periods. We are well aware of the fact that a NAS will most likely work around the clock, so two years add up to a ton of working hours, but one additional year should not effect the final price significantly.

Packaging

The NAS comes in a small white package covered in cartoonist graphics.


Although the weight is low, Shuttle equipped the box with a plastic handle to help you move it around.


On one of the two sides is a sticker with the unit's specifications.


Only a plain scheme of the NAS can be found on this side.

Contents & Bundle

You will first find a smaller box that contains all the accessories once you unlatch and flip the top flap open. Underneath the box is the NAS. It is protected by two pieces of packing foam and comes wrapped in a white bag.


The accessories include all the HDD screws you will need, two software discs, an Ethernet cable, and a quick installation manual. Inside the box is also the small power brick that feeds the NAS. One of the two discs includes the Acronis True Image HD suite, one of the best cloning software applications around.


It would be wise to take a look at the provided quick installation manual before proceeding with setting up the NAS, even if you are an expert user.


Like all dimensionally small NAS boxes, this one too uses an external PSU. This PSU is made by Asian Power Devices, a company that is not terribly popular.

Exterior

The KD22 is small and looks even smaller because of its black color. The finish is superb and the aluminum portion of its enclosure adds a good "heft" of quality to the product and is conducive to dissipating heat properly, which allows the fan to run lower RPMs. A plastic door at the front hides the HDD trays from plain view, and the power on/off button is in the top-left corner. At the bottom of the front are two USB 3.0 ports and the SD-card reader.


The bays are numbered, but lack distinctive markings, and the buttons on top of the them are for quickly removing the HDDs if you configured those in RAID 1. There are also several LED indicators at the front. These and their functions are given a thorough explanation in the user's manual. The trays don't feature any locks since this NAS is mostly for use at home, which makes them very easy to remove. You only have to pull their latches outward.


A useful description of all LED indicators located at the front of the KD22 can be found in the user's manual. Pressing the power button for less than a second will turn off its own LED. Simply press it for a second time, again for less than a second, to turn its LED back on. Shuttle says this feature to be useful because it allows you to turn these LEDs off, which prevents light interference in a dark environment (while you watch a movie, for example).


Photos of the NAS's internals without the trays. The HDDs compartment is completely sealed in by metallic plates.


This side is covered by a thick aluminum part that acts as a big passive heatsink. Its finish is fantastic and looks cool, too!


On this side are the series name in the middle and a quite long ventilation grill at the bottom.


At the rear, the fan grill occupies most of the space. On the bottom are the Ethernet port, a Kensington lock, a USB 2.0 port, a hole that hides the reset switch, and the power input plug.


The NAS's bottom has two large rubber feet and the power specifications label.


The trays are, thankfully, numbered and of good quality since they are made out of metal, not plastic. Shuttle deserves praise here since we have seen much more expensive NAS boxes with lower quality components out of plastic. However, not all is perfect as Shuttle should have used some anti-vibration materials (i.e. rubber mounts), which wouldn't have affected the price, but would have nicely absorbed any HDD vibrations.