You DO NOT Need a NAS – And Here is Why

Why NAS Drives are NOT for Everyone – 5 Reasons You Do Not Need a NAS

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is often promoted as the ideal solution for data management, offering advantages like local control, redundancy, and flexible access. However, while NAS has many benefits, it is not the right choice for everyone. Depending on individual needs, alternatives such as cloud storage or Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) may provide a simpler, more cost-effective, or more practical solution. This article explores five key reasons why a NAS may not be the best choice for certain users. From the convenience of cloud storage to the high upfront costs of NAS devices, we will break down the potential drawbacks and alternative solutions that might better fit specific use cases. Understanding these factors can help users make an informed decision about their storage needs.

Disclaimer – NAS devices provide a robust and flexible storage solution, but they are not necessary for all users. Those with simpler storage needs—such as single-device backups or direct file access—may find that a Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) device better meets their requirements. External hard drives and SSDs offer straightforward, cost-effective alternatives without the complexity of network management. Cloud storage remains a convenient and accessible option, particularly for those who need remote access without dealing with hardware setup. While it comes with long-term costs and data security considerations, cloud services offer ease of use and automation that may be preferable for some users. Additionally, a hybrid NAS and cloud approach can provide the best of both worlds, allowing users to maintain local storage while leveraging cloud redundancy for added backup security and accessibility. Choosing the right storage solution depends on specific use cases, technical expertise, and long-term data management goals.


1. The Convenience of Cloud Storage is Unquestionable

One of the primary reasons a NAS may not be necessary for some users is the convenience of cloud storage. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud offer instant accessibility, making it easy to store, sync, and retrieve files from any internet-connected device. Unlike NAS, which requires setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance, cloud storage is designed to be user-friendly. Users can simply sign up, upload files, and access them from anywhere, without needing to worry about network configurations, remote access tunnels, or firewall adjustments. This simplicity makes cloud storage an appealing option for users who want a hassle-free experience without managing hardware.

Beyond ease of use, cloud services are also optimized for redundancy and failover protection, ensuring that data remains safe and accessible even if hardware failures occur on the provider’s end. Large-scale cloud platforms have multiple data centers worldwide, meaning that even in the event of a regional outage, files remain available from alternative locations. Cloud storage is particularly advantageous for those who travel frequently or work remotely, as accessing a NAS over the internet can introduce latency, security challenges, and connectivity issues. For example, transferring large files to a NAS while on the road may require complex VPN configurations and reliable internet access, whereas cloud storage offers seamless access without any additional setup. This makes cloud storage a more practical choice for users who prioritize mobility and convenience over local ownership.

Example of the complexity of a NAS to Cloud Sync:


2. Simplicity of Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) for Single Users vs NAS is Indisputable

For individuals who primarily work from a single device, a NAS may be unnecessary and even overcomplicated. A Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) device—such as an external hard drive, SSD, or even a RAID-configured DAS—provides a more straightforward and often more cost-effective solution. Unlike NAS, which requires a network connection and some level of system administration, a DAS device simply connects directly to a computer via USB, Thunderbolt, or eSATA and is ready to use instantly. This plug-and-play functionality makes DAS ideal for users who just need additional storage or a backup solution without any complexity.

DAS also offers direct hardware integration with professional applications, making it a preferred choice for photographers, video editors, and graphic designers. Many creative professionals rely on high-speed DAS devices because they provide lower latency and faster data transfer rates than a network-based NAS. A high-speed Thunderbolt RAID array, for example, can provide much faster read and write speeds than a NAS connected via 1GbE or even 2.5GbE networking. Additionally, for users who need to transfer large amounts of data quickly, physically shipping an external drive remains a viable and often faster option than uploading terabytes of data to a NAS remotely. If a user primarily works from one computer and does not need network-based file access, a DAS setup can be a much more practical and efficient choice than investing in a NAS.


3. Cloud and DAS = Lower Power Consumption and Long-Term Operating Costs

One often overlooked factor when deciding on a NAS is its ongoing power consumption. Unlike DAS devices, which only require power when in use, a NAS typically runs 24/7, constantly consuming electricity even when idle. While modern NAS devices offer power-saving features such as scheduled shutdowns and sleep modes, they still draw more power than a simple external hard drive. This can be a concern for users in areas with high electricity costs, those who live in mobile homes, or people who rely on solar or backup power sources. Over the course of a year, the difference in power consumption between a NAS and a simple external drive can add up, making it an important consideration for budget-conscious users.

Example of Power Consumption of a 6-Bay NAS with 6x HDD and 2x SSD (Intel N305 i3 CPU):

Beyond electricity costs, there’s also the issue of long-term maintenance. Hard drives inside a NAS are designed to run continuously, meaning they wear out faster compared to drives that are powered on only when needed. Each mechanical hard drive has a limited number of operational hours before failure becomes more likely. In contrast, an external hard drive that is only used periodically for backups can last much longer. Additionally, NAS devices require ongoing software updates, security patches, and general monitoring to function optimally. For users who do not want to deal with the responsibility of maintaining a dedicated storage system, a NAS may be more trouble than it’s worth, especially when compared to simpler alternatives like external hard drives or cloud storage.

Example of Noise Level of a 4x HDD and 2x SSD NAS (Lincstation S1 NAS):


4. Cloud Mean Avoiding Vendor Lock-in and Data Migration Challenges

NAS systems operate as full-fledged computing devices with their own proprietary operating systems, which can make migrating data between different NAS brands or platforms a challenge. For example, if a user sets up a Synology NAS and later wants to switch to a QNAP or another brand, they may encounter significant roadblocks in moving their existing file structures, metadata, and system settings. Unlike traditional external storage solutions that use universal formats like NTFS, exFAT, or APFS, NAS devices often use specialized file systems optimized for their specific ecosystems. This means that simply swapping out drives between NAS brands is not always possible without extensive data transfers and reconfigurations.

In contrast, DAS devices and cloud storage solutions provide more flexibility for users who may need to migrate their data in the future. A USB hard drive can be connected to any computer with minimal effort, and cloud services typically offer built-in tools to migrate data between providers. Additionally, NAS users often rely on specific applications and configurations tied to their system, making it more difficult to transition to a different storage solution later. While there are workarounds—such as using standard file transfer protocols like SMB or FTP—these solutions require extra time and effort, which may not be practical for users who need a simple and easily portable storage option. For those who value long-term flexibility, avoiding NAS vendor lock-in may be a more prudent choice.


5. NAS = High Initial Costs and Uncertain Return on Investment for Some

Perhaps the most significant reason some users should avoid a NAS is the cost. Compared to external storage solutions, NAS devices are considerably more expensive, especially when factoring in the price of both the NAS enclosure and the hard drives required to populate it. Even budget NAS devices start at a few hundred dollars, and higher-end models with advanced features can cost well over $1,000, not including the drives. When comparing cost per terabyte, NAS drives are generally more expensive than external USB drives due to their enhanced durability and NAS-optimized firmware. For users who do not need advanced features like RAID redundancy, Docker applications, or network-wide accessibility, the extra cost of a NAS may not be justifiable.

Beyond the initial purchase, users must also consider the long-term costs associated with NAS ownership. Hard drives wear out over time and will eventually need to be replaced, adding to the overall expense. Additionally, while NAS devices provide a wide range of powerful features, many users may not fully utilize them. If someone only needs basic storage and backup capabilities, a NAS might be an unnecessary investment, and they may be better off with a simple DAS setup or cloud-based storage solution. Before committing to a NAS, potential buyers should carefully evaluate whether they will take full advantage of its features or if a more affordable and straightforward alternative would better suit their needs.


While NAS devices offer powerful features and advantages for data management, they are not always the most practical option. For users who prioritize convenience, cloud storage may be a better fit. Those who work primarily from a single device may find a Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) setup more efficient. Additionally, factors such as power consumption, vendor lock-in, and long-term costs should all be carefully considered before investing in a NAS. Ultimately, the best storage solution depends on individual requirements. A NAS can be a great investment for those who need centralized, multi-user access and advanced functionality, but it is not the only option. Evaluating storage needs based on cost, performance, and ease of use will help determine whether a NAS is the right fit or if an alternative solution would be more suitable.

Recommended NAS Solutions Based on Data Storage Needs:

Budget NAS for a Family or Small Data Storage Solution – The Synology BeeStation 4TB

What We Said in our review HERE:

YouTube Review HERE

Synology has clearly done their homework on the development and presentation of the BeeStation private cloud. They are targeting a whole new audience with this system, and therefore, criticisms based on experiences with their other hardware are likely to fall on deaf ears. The BeeStation is probably one of the best middle grounds I have ever seen between an easy-to-use and exceptionally easy-to-set-up private cloud system, while still managing to provide smooth and seamless features for accessing and sharing your private cloud’s storage securely. Looking at this system with a more network-savvy microscope kind of defeats the point, and I’ve tried to be fair in my assessment. The lack of LAN access by default seems a little odd, and launching the BeeStation series in this single-bay, 4TB-only fashion may be a bit of a marketing misstep, but overall, what you’re seeing here is an effectively priced and scaled private cloud system. It’s a fantastic alternative to third-party clouds and existing simplified NAS systems. With many users keeping an eye on their budgets and tightening costs, Synology, known for its premium position in the market, had a challenge scaling down to this kind of user. However, I have to applaud Synology’s R&D for creating a simple and easy-to-use personal cloud solution that still carries a lot of their charm and great software reputation. It may not be as feature-rich as DSM, but BSM does exactly what it says it will do, and I think the target audience it’s designed for will enjoy the BeeStation a great deal!

Buy HERE on AmazonBuy HERE on B&H

Best Value Business NAS – The UniFi UNAS Pro 10GbE Rackmount

What We Said in our review HERE:

YouTube Review HERE

I feel like a bit of a broken record in this review, and I keep repeating the same two words in conjunction with the UniFi UNAS Pro—fundamentals and consistency! It’s pretty clear that UniFi has prioritized the need for this system to perfectly complement their existing UniFi ecosystem and make it a true part of their hardware portfolio. In doing so, it has resulted in them focusing considerably on the fundamental storage requirements of a NAS system and making sure that these are as good as they possibly can be out of the gate. To this end, I would say that UniFi has unquestionably succeeded. The cracks in the surface begin once you start comparing this system with other offerings in the market right now—which is inevitably what users are going to do and have been doing since the first indications of a UniFi NAS system were being rumored. It may seem tremendously unfair to compare the newly released UniFi NAS with solutions from vendors that have had more than 20 years of experience in this field, but for a business that wants to fully detach themselves from the cloud and wants true user-friendly but highly featured control of their network operations, comparison is inevitable!

 

 

A solid, reliable, and stable system that will inevitably grow into a significant part of most UniFi network users. The problem for many, however, is going to be how long it takes UniFi to reach that point where this system can be software competitive with its rivals. If you are a die-hard UniFi ecosystem user and you are looking for stable, familiar, easy-to-use, and single ecosystem personal/business storage, you are going to love everything about the UniFi UNAS Pro. But just be aware that this is a system that prioritizes storage and is seemingly at its best within an existing UniFi network architecture, and if removed from that network, you are going to find a system that at launch feels quite feature-light compared with alternatives in the market. Pricing for the system is surprisingly competitive, given its position as the launch NAS—unusual when you look at the pricing philosophy of numerous larger-scale systems like the UniFi Dream Machine and UNVR from the brand.

Hopefully, over time we are going to see UniFi build upon the solid fundamentals that they have designed here and create a more competitive solution on top of this. I have no doubt that UniFi will commit to software and security updates for this system, but it would be remiss of me to say that this is the best NAS solution for your network. Right now, it just happens to be the most user-friendly and most UniFi-ready one. Bottom line: this will probably tick a lot of boxes.

Buy HERE on AmazonBuy HERE on UI.com (Official Site)

Best NAS for Photo and Video EDITING – The QNAP TVS-h874 / TVS-h874T

What We Said in our review HERE:

YouTube Review HERE

In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments. However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.

The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.

Buy HERE on AmazonBuy HERE on B&H

Budget NAS for Multimedia / PLEX – The Terramaster F4-424 Pro

What We Said in our review HERE:

YouTube Review HERE

The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS is a powerful 4-bay turnkey NAS system that offers competitive pricing and robust hardware. With its Intel i3 N300 CPU, 32GB DDR5 memory, and 2x M.2 NVMe SSD bays, it provides excellent performance for various tasks, including Plex media streaming and hardware transcoding. In terms of design, the F4-424 Pro features a sleek and modern chassis with improved cooling and hot-swapping capabilities. It represents a significant step forward in design compared to TerraMaster’s older 4-bay models, aligning more closely with industry leaders like Synology and QNAP. The addition of TOS 5 software brings significant improvements in GUI clarity, backup tools, storage configurations, and security features. However, the absence of 10GbE support and limited scalability in this regard might disappoint advanced users. Additionally, while the hardware exceeds Intel’s memory limitations, full utilization of the 32GB DDR5 memory is reliant on Terramaster’s own SODIMM modules, and this could be a limitation for some users. Overall, the TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS offers excellent value for its price, with competitive hardware and software features. It positions itself as a strong contender in the 4-bay NAS market, particularly for those looking for an affordable yet capable private server solution.

Buy HERE on AmazonBuy HERE on B&H

 

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      843 thoughts on “You DO NOT Need a NAS – And Here is Why

      1. Thanks for all the great reviews and informational videos like this. I think I can swing DAS and not a NAS. It’s something I can tinker with in the future, I should just have back up right now and I can do that with a simple hard drive and adapter. Thanks for all the seagulls too lol
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      2. On-premises backups to a local nas that does not advertise itself and has strong credential authentication measures provides a level of security directly attached storage does not provide. Back-up solutions such as ArcServe (StorageCraft) ShadowProtect can take snapshots of your entire filesystem every 15 minutes while performing the image management (verification, consilidation & retention) overnight – the storage would need to be accessible 24/7. The NAS can also be used to connect airgapped storage for synchronization of the back-up sets and rotated daily. There should always be AT LEAST 3 copies of data (operational/production copy, on-premises back-up & off-premises). Air-gapped rotated copies add further protection. It is not unusual to required 12 times the storage for 3 sets of back-ups.

        Extracting data from Synology NAS is achievable with the right tools. For Single-Drive NAS’s – DiskInternals Linux Reader
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      3. On-premises backups to a local nas that does not advertise itself and has strong credential authentication measures provides a level of security directly attached storage does not provide. Back-up solutions such as ArcServe (StorageCraft) ShadowProtect can take snapshots of your entire filesystem every 15 minutes while performing the image management (verification, consilidation & retention) overnight – the storage would need to be accessible 24/7. The NAS can also be used to connect airgapped storage for synchronization of the back-up sets and rotated daily. There should always be AT LEAST 3 copies of data (operational/production copy, on-premises back-up & off-premises). Air-gapped rotated copies add further protection. It is not unusual to required 12 times the storage for 3 sets of back-ups.

        Extracting data from Synology NAS is achievable with the right tools. For Single-Drive NAS’s – DiskInternals Linux Reader
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      4. I think the cloud options suck, but as someone with a Synology NAS I have to say I’ve never know a single piece of tech that has confused me more than it does. I did not find it simple to set up nor do I find it simple to know if it is running as optimally or securely as it should be.
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      5. I think the cloud options suck, but as someone with a Synology NAS I have to say I’ve never know a single piece of tech that has confused me more than it does. I did not find it simple to set up nor do I find it simple to know if it is running as optimally or securely as it should be.
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      6. One caveat with a DAS vs NAS is the inability to access your home network resources remotely while OTG, unless of course you sign up for a paid subscription service.
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      7. One caveat with a DAS vs NAS is the inability to access your home network resources remotely while OTG, unless of course you sign up for a paid subscription service.
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      8. Even with my high-speed fiber-optic internet service, cloud storage is simply too slow for the large data loads I have as a photographer.
        Also, after 40yrs in computing, I no longer trust external proprietary services with mission critical storage. They’re fine for small mobile-necessary bits of data, whcih I have backed up locally.
        I do use a DAS system, which has been very effective and super reliable.
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      9. Even with my high-speed fiber-optic internet service, cloud storage is simply too slow for the large data loads I have as a photographer.
        Also, after 40yrs in computing, I no longer trust external proprietary services with mission critical storage. They’re fine for small mobile-necessary bits of data, whcih I have backed up locally.
        I do use a DAS system, which has been very effective and super reliable.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      10. Using Backblaze B2 to backup my DS218+, about 6TB of photos, data, family videos. Cost is about CAD$50 monthly.
        Still torn between having to buy an additional NAS, put in a different location, power, internet etc. Would set me back about $800 plus extra monthly costs.
        I’ve had WD 4tb USB drives but have filled them up, and also a real risk of theft or even damage due to flooding or extreme heat.
        Question: Keep paying monthly for offsite backups to B2, or buy a separate NAS to backup to?
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      11. Using Backblaze B2 to backup my DS218+, about 6TB of photos, data, family videos. Cost is about CAD$50 monthly.
        Still torn between having to buy an additional NAS, put in a different location, power, internet etc. Would set me back about $800 plus extra monthly costs.
        I’ve had WD 4tb USB drives but have filled them up, and also a real risk of theft or even damage due to flooding or extreme heat.
        Question: Keep paying monthly for offsite backups to B2, or buy a separate NAS to backup to?
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      12. Speaking of a DAS, what are the best options? There’s way less info out there on these devices. I want to take my stack of random external SSDs and move to a cleaner and more reliable/redundant setup but I don’t need networked access at all
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      13. Speaking of a DAS, what are the best options? There’s way less info out there on these devices. I want to take my stack of random external SSDs and move to a cleaner and more reliable/redundant setup but I don’t need networked access at all
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      14. Not just locked into the brand’s file structure, but VERY often locked out of upgrading to even a new model from same brand. Like I’ve got a older gen 4-bay TerraNAS, and can’t move the drives to the current model 4-bay I bought (wanted the more RAM, faster CPU, faster ethernet) as the older model can’t be upgraded to the current OS and that older OS isn’t compatible (as far as I can tell) with the new model.
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      15. Not just locked into the brand’s file structure, but VERY often locked out of upgrading to even a new model from same brand. Like I’ve got a older gen 4-bay TerraNAS, and can’t move the drives to the current model 4-bay I bought (wanted the more RAM, faster CPU, faster ethernet) as the older model can’t be upgraded to the current OS and that older OS isn’t compatible (as far as I can tell) with the new model.
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      16. For someone who has just started to think that I don’t need a NAS and tinkering with the cloud storage solution, I can tell you. It’s suddenly become a pain in the hass! The first 2-3 hours was a BREEZE! Copying data from my local desktops and laptops to the mapped drive on my linux distro. It was blazing fast upload. Now, it simply doesn’t budge when I try to copy/move data. I’m well within the quote and there are no data limits, but suddenly there is a bottleneck in my own VM which has all the space and power? It’s now choking on cache pool and it’s been inconsistent. This has been a good experiment but definitely not letting go of my NAS.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      17. For someone who has just started to think that I don’t need a NAS and tinkering with the cloud storage solution, I can tell you. It’s suddenly become a pain in the hass! The first 2-3 hours was a BREEZE! Copying data from my local desktops and laptops to the mapped drive on my linux distro. It was blazing fast upload. Now, it simply doesn’t budge when I try to copy/move data. I’m well within the quote and there are no data limits, but suddenly there is a bottleneck in my own VM which has all the space and power? It’s now choking on cache pool and it’s been inconsistent. This has been a good experiment but definitely not letting go of my NAS.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      18. There’s obviously pro’s and cons to going without a NAS and the same for owning one. It’s a complex issue 🙂

        Most folks go for a NAS because they want to be in control of ‘their’ data rather than upping it to an ever increasing subscription based cloud storage system that has its own terms of use. The moment you get into subscriptions, you open yourself up to ever increasing prices and sometimes less features than what you once had.

        I run a QNAP TVS-682, an i3 low power beast that runs Plex for serving me my media, and it contains a ton of DSLR family photos with a Raid5 config. I now have this backing up manually to a bunch of USB hard drives every week but it is a user initiated manual procedure sadly. It is a whole lot better than what I used to do which was have the NAS backup to OneDrive as I recently cancelled Office365 due to price increases and bundled AI bloat.

        A NAS can do so much more than just hold data, it can run docker apps like PiHole, Plex etc. The only issue as the video stated is that you ‘lock’ your data into the OS – either Qnap or Synology for example. Looking ahead I’d consider building a cheap TrueNAS or Unraid system for much greater flexibility.

        As already stated, magnetic spinnies don’t last long. I have a bunch of old IDE and Sata drives that can’t really be accessed anymore due to degradation.

        Also want to say thank you to NASCompares for his massive contributions to data hoarding. Your videos are awesome 🙂
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      19. There’s obviously pro’s and cons to going without a NAS and the same for owning one. It’s a complex issue 🙂

        Most folks go for a NAS because they want to be in control of ‘their’ data rather than upping it to an ever increasing subscription based cloud storage system that has its own terms of use. The moment you get into subscriptions, you open yourself up to ever increasing prices and sometimes less features than what you once had.

        I run a QNAP TVS-682, an i3 low power beast that runs Plex for serving me my media, and it contains a ton of DSLR family photos with a Raid5 config. I now have this backing up manually to a bunch of USB hard drives every week but it is a user initiated manual procedure sadly. It is a whole lot better than what I used to do which was have the NAS backup to OneDrive as I recently cancelled Office365 due to price increases and bundled AI bloat.

        A NAS can do so much more than just hold data, it can run docker apps like PiHole, Plex etc. The only issue as the video stated is that you ‘lock’ your data into the OS – either Qnap or Synology for example. Looking ahead I’d consider building a cheap TrueNAS or Unraid system for much greater flexibility.

        As already stated, magnetic spinnies don’t last long. I have a bunch of old IDE and Sata drives that can’t really be accessed anymore due to degradation.

        Also want to say thank you to NASCompares for his massive contributions to data hoarding. Your videos are awesome 🙂
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      20. for the majority of home/home busines users with one pc/laptop backblaze unlimted personal backup at $100 a year is a real no brainer, simple install etc with no need for techy input
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      21. for the majority of home/home busines users with one pc/laptop backblaze unlimted personal backup at $100 a year is a real no brainer, simple install etc with no need for techy input
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      22. I remember years ago the idea of having a network-attached disk. A simpler device than a NAS, just a disk that sits on the network. If it could talk to other disks then it could form an aggregated device like a RAID. With network speeds now getting capable enough and potentially not far-off the ball park even of USB/Thunderbolt, this idea becomes more appealing.
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      23. I remember years ago the idea of having a network-attached disk. A simpler device than a NAS, just a disk that sits on the network. If it could talk to other disks then it could form an aggregated device like a RAID. With network speeds now getting capable enough and potentially not far-off the ball park even of USB/Thunderbolt, this idea becomes more appealing.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      24. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t gone NAS (for biz and personal). I used to have a retired Windows workstation that had plenty of space for drives. I had 6 x 2-3TB drives full of data and used BackBlaze to back it up, it was convenient – have more data, buy another hard drive. I used Cloud for ‘live’ folders/files and had 1TB Google and 25GB of Dropbox. Because I mainly used Dropbox, I was always having to move files to Google, then to retired workstation. It was tedious, but it worked and it was cheap.
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      25. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t gone NAS (for biz and personal). I used to have a retired Windows workstation that had plenty of space for drives. I had 6 x 2-3TB drives full of data and used BackBlaze to back it up, it was convenient – have more data, buy another hard drive. I used Cloud for ‘live’ folders/files and had 1TB Google and 25GB of Dropbox. Because I mainly used Dropbox, I was always having to move files to Google, then to retired workstation. It was tedious, but it worked and it was cheap.
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      26. If you’re just accessing files and find the plugging/unplugging of drives a bit of a pain or want to share files locally – most routers have USB ports where you can plug the drive in and access that way. A standard drive won’t last as long if it’s running 24/7 but it’s an option. You could also just set up a small PC as a file sharing computer.

        Personally having run various NAS devices for the last 10yrs, I don’t think I could be without mine – even though I probably don’t run it to it’s full capabilities (it’s basically a media server and backup). And I’m still learning other ways of getting functionality out of them.
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      27. If you’re just accessing files and find the plugging/unplugging of drives a bit of a pain or want to share files locally – most routers have USB ports where you can plug the drive in and access that way. A standard drive won’t last as long if it’s running 24/7 but it’s an option. You could also just set up a small PC as a file sharing computer.

        Personally having run various NAS devices for the last 10yrs, I don’t think I could be without mine – even though I probably don’t run it to it’s full capabilities (it’s basically a media server and backup). And I’m still learning other ways of getting functionality out of them.
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      28. We have a NAS at the recording studio. Here we do mostly audio recordings but we also have a few video editing jobs once in a while. Clients are mostly around us but we have a few clients around the world, which are old friends I met when I lived in Shanghai. For some reason they like to stick with me. The network system here is good enough to store everything in a DS423+ and do the audio mixing and video editing directly from the NAS. Each client has its own account and can download/upload files anytime they want. Oh, we also have only one basic 15Gb google account just in case but rarely use it.
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      29. We have a NAS at the recording studio. Here we do mostly audio recordings but we also have a few video editing jobs once in a while. Clients are mostly around us but we have a few clients around the world, which are old friends I met when I lived in Shanghai. For some reason they like to stick with me. The network system here is good enough to store everything in a DS423+ and do the audio mixing and video editing directly from the NAS. Each client has its own account and can download/upload files anytime they want. Oh, we also have only one basic 15Gb google account just in case but rarely use it.
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      30. I only found out about Das solutions when investigating for a Nas. Das systems are probably a lot less exciting but for me my USB C Das does the job for date/photo backup
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      31. I only found out about Das solutions when investigating for a Nas. Das systems are probably a lot less exciting but for me my USB C Das does the job for date/photo backup
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      32. I do think 2 main things that I very much disagree with, personally, cloud services run a non-zero risk of just evicting you without your data, or in the bit more likely case, you just losing access if something happens and you cannot log back in. Could be something as simple as fat fingering your birthdate on sign up so they can’t verify that it’s you when you try and recover. Most people will be fine for as long as it matters and that’s important to consider too, but how much are you going to hate forgetting to back up your kid’s precious moments and something does happen down the road, just something to measure against.
        Secondly, while you should absolutely have fully offline backups of anything important, and there is some data that should only be online when it is needed, there’s a lot that can go wrong only keeping a flash drive or an HDD on a shelf for extended amounts of time, certain pieces of media hold up better to the conditions than others, my family keeps copies on DVDs as well for example and there’s still issues but they’ve held up for about 10 years, but HDDs I’ve gone back after about 2 or 3 and they no longer work repeatedly, either corruption, physical issues or what not, good ssds should generally hold up a deal better.
        Still I think every point made here is important to consider especially where the barrier for entry is there, even if it’s just frontloaded then it sits on autopilot for the rest of it’s life.
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      33. I do think 2 main things that I very much disagree with, personally, cloud services run a non-zero risk of just evicting you without your data, or in the bit more likely case, you just losing access if something happens and you cannot log back in. Could be something as simple as fat fingering your birthdate on sign up so they can’t verify that it’s you when you try and recover. Most people will be fine for as long as it matters and that’s important to consider too, but how much are you going to hate forgetting to back up your kid’s precious moments and something does happen down the road, just something to measure against.
        Secondly, while you should absolutely have fully offline backups of anything important, and there is some data that should only be online when it is needed, there’s a lot that can go wrong only keeping a flash drive or an HDD on a shelf for extended amounts of time, certain pieces of media hold up better to the conditions than others, my family keeps copies on DVDs as well for example and there’s still issues but they’ve held up for about 10 years, but HDDs I’ve gone back after about 2 or 3 and they no longer work repeatedly, either corruption, physical issues or what not, good ssds should generally hold up a deal better.
        Still I think every point made here is important to consider especially where the barrier for entry is there, even if it’s just frontloaded then it sits on autopilot for the rest of it’s life.
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      34. Only a fool backs up to the cloud. Cheap to get it up there and an arm and a leg to get it back. Not to mention you have no idea what they do with it. Once you add subscription costs, it works out cheaper to get a NAS. Most NAS sip power these days. Worried about mechanical use SSDs. In my experience you don’t need special drives, I use regular ones and 10 years on no issues.
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      35. Only a fool backs up to the cloud. Cheap to get it up there and an arm and a leg to get it back. Not to mention you have no idea what they do with it. Once you add subscription costs, it works out cheaper to get a NAS. Most NAS sip power these days. Worried about mechanical use SSDs. In my experience you don’t need special drives, I use regular ones and 10 years on no issues.
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      36. first time voting negative on one of your videos. like below, subscription service/cloud – never, never, never. I won’t even justify myself if you don’t know why. More than one computer in the house, you NEED a nas. want to keep everything accessable to everyone/thing on you LAN, you need a nas. I’m tired already.
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      37. first time voting negative on one of your videos. like below, subscription service/cloud – never, never, never. I won’t even justify myself if you don’t know why. More than one computer in the house, you NEED a nas. want to keep everything accessable to everyone/thing on you LAN, you need a nas. I’m tired already.
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      38. Durability is not better if you are using solid-state drives as all solid-state drives that I know of have data rot where if it doesn’t get power periodically, the data can just disappear over time.
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      39. Durability is not better if you are using solid-state drives as all solid-state drives that I know of have data rot where if it doesn’t get power periodically, the data can just disappear over time.
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      40. I have been collecting pics and videos and articles and more since 2016 as we all now know how the fascists at Google, FB, Meta, yadda yadda love to memory hole “inconvenient truths”. Having my own NAS and PhotoPrism makes it a breeze finding what I need without the inconvenient apps of a 3rd party app which I don’t trust any of them.
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      41. I have been collecting pics and videos and articles and more since 2016 as we all now know how the fascists at Google, FB, Meta, yadda yadda love to memory hole “inconvenient truths”. Having my own NAS and PhotoPrism makes it a breeze finding what I need without the inconvenient apps of a 3rd party app which I don’t trust any of them.
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      42. A couple of other arguments against NAS, for arguments sake:
        – ease of use: I can ask a “normie” to download an app for a cloud service, and setup is limited to having credentials. NAS, however much wizard based many are, is not something eaily guided over the phone.
        – availability and reliability. The likelihood of a distributed datacenter going down is likely less than the device in your home dying. And then, the delay in getting access to your data again is going to be shorter for a cloud solution, and without needing to involve support centres or sending any devices back.

        For me personally, the way I utilise my NAS there is simply no way a cloud service would be able to replace it at a reasonable cost.
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      43. A couple of other arguments against NAS, for arguments sake:
        – ease of use: I can ask a “normie” to download an app for a cloud service, and setup is limited to having credentials. NAS, however much wizard based many are, is not something eaily guided over the phone.
        – availability and reliability. The likelihood of a distributed datacenter going down is likely less than the device in your home dying. And then, the delay in getting access to your data again is going to be shorter for a cloud solution, and without needing to involve support centres or sending any devices back.

        For me personally, the way I utilise my NAS there is simply no way a cloud service would be able to replace it at a reasonable cost.
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      44. If you can connect processor controlled device to another processor controlled device you have a “Networked Attached Storage” device.
        The “Cloud” IS just another NAS. The more specific question is what kind of NAS do I want in my local network?
        I have multiple computers connected to my local network. They are all running some version of Microsoft Windows. The performance and price is sufficient for my needs. Third party hardware with a unique fork of Linux does not seem to meet MY needs.
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      45. If you can connect processor controlled device to another processor controlled device you have a “Networked Attached Storage” device.
        The “Cloud” IS just another NAS. The more specific question is what kind of NAS do I want in my local network?
        I have multiple computers connected to my local network. They are all running some version of Microsoft Windows. The performance and price is sufficient for my needs. Third party hardware with a unique fork of Linux does not seem to meet MY needs.
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      46. At 7:00 ; Indeed. This is why I will never buy NAS appliances. I will be bashed for this: but if you think about it, most people use Windows as a daily driver operating system. It has all NAS functionality in it you require as a home user or small business user: Storage Spaces. In its simplest setup you use a 2 way mirror with just 2 disks. If the computer fails: just hook up the drives to another windows machine. The volume gets detected and you are back up and running in less than 15 minutes. Yes, this way you loose 50 percent of storage capacity, but it is no fuzz and requires almost zero knowledge and you are not really locked in (well, ye, you need to have a windows machine, but who does not have a laptop or desktop with win10 or win11 on it around?

        I do understand it does not have the performance and capabilities of e.g. true nas etc… . However, if you are purely talking about storage, plain simple storage: this really is the most simple solution possible and accessible to most of the people? No?

        I do run a NAS in my basement based on Windows server. The part that is used solely for storage is built as described above. Tested even the moving of the HDs to another machine just running the win10 desktop OS: zero issues. Never ever faced issues with NAS or backups of the NAS. Hell, Windows 11 even supports data deduplication in addition to the above ????. Might be worth doing a video on both Win11 and Server 2025 on how to setup storage environment. And when doing a vid on Server 2025, please do include info on how to setup a tiered system for mirroring (and include info on advantages/disadvantages of using multiple columns in the setup)
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      47. At 7:00 ; Indeed. This is why I will never buy NAS appliances. I will be bashed for this: but if you think about it, most people use Windows as a daily driver operating system. It has all NAS functionality in it you require as a home user or small business user: Storage Spaces. In its simplest setup you use a 2 way mirror with just 2 disks. If the computer fails: just hook up the drives to another windows machine. The volume gets detected and you are back up and running in less than 15 minutes. Yes, this way you loose 50 percent of storage capacity, but it is no fuzz and requires almost zero knowledge and you are not really locked in (well, ye, you need to have a windows machine, but who does not have a laptop or desktop with win10 or win11 on it around?

        I do understand it does not have the performance and capabilities of e.g. true nas etc… . However, if you are purely talking about storage, plain simple storage: this really is the most simple solution possible and accessible to most of the people? No?

        I do run a NAS in my basement based on Windows server. The part that is used solely for storage is built as described above. Tested even the moving of the HDs to another machine just running the win10 desktop OS: zero issues. Never ever faced issues with NAS or backups of the NAS. Hell, Windows 11 even supports data deduplication in addition to the above ????. Might be worth doing a video on both Win11 and Server 2025 on how to setup storage environment. And when doing a vid on Server 2025, please do include info on how to setup a tiered system for mirroring (and include info on advantages/disadvantages of using multiple columns in the setup)
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      48. We have used a recycled PC as a home server for years. Currently I set up a Thinkpad T420 laptop running Win 10 as a poor mans home server. Main use is as the destination of automatic backups from my wife and my computers. To do this I stuck a large HDD in the DVD drive bay, main drive I converted to an SSD. Beside file sharing the server also runs a NTP time server and private web server with a bunch of static info. Glad you touched on power consumption. I used to use an old recycled desktop as our home server but switched to a laptop to save power.

        The downside strategy of this is if a voltage surge that destroys all the electronics at home we are out of luck. To address that risk I occasionally use a USB drive to copy files on the server and keep it unplugged. So other than a house fire we are good. I don’t really see the need for a NAS but perhaps I’m missing something.
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      49. We have used a recycled PC as a home server for years. Currently I set up a Thinkpad T420 laptop running Win 10 as a poor mans home server. Main use is as the destination of automatic backups from my wife and my computers. To do this I stuck a large HDD in the DVD drive bay, main drive I converted to an SSD. Beside file sharing the server also runs a NTP time server and private web server with a bunch of static info. Glad you touched on power consumption. I used to use an old recycled desktop as our home server but switched to a laptop to save power.

        The downside strategy of this is if a voltage surge that destroys all the electronics at home we are out of luck. To address that risk I occasionally use a USB drive to copy files on the server and keep it unplugged. So other than a house fire we are good. I don’t really see the need for a NAS but perhaps I’m missing something.
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      50. A NAS in a home office setup used to make sense when SSDs larger than 256 GB were prohibitively expensive, now I don’t see the point when it’s probably cheaper to use an old PC repurposed as a home theatre PC hooked up to the TV and/or a used laptop as backup if the main PC fails, and keep them synced up with the work PC. At least they’re doing more than just NAS.

        Also… looking at Amazon reviews, especially budget NAS units fail and if that happens, the data is GONE. Especially in cheap RAID solutions, which are notorious for failing.
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      51. A NAS in a home office setup used to make sense when SSDs larger than 256 GB were prohibitively expensive, now I don’t see the point when it’s probably cheaper to use an old PC repurposed as a home theatre PC hooked up to the TV and/or a used laptop as backup if the main PC fails, and keep them synced up with the work PC. At least they’re doing more than just NAS.

        Also… looking at Amazon reviews, especially budget NAS units fail and if that happens, the data is GONE. Especially in cheap RAID solutions, which are notorious for failing.
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      52. Thanks for all you do. 7 years ago I thought I didn’t need a NAS, but thanks to help from the website I took contol of my data and even more with my NAS. No regrets!????
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      53. Thanks for all you do. 7 years ago I thought I didn’t need a NAS, but thanks to help from the website I took contol of my data and even more with my NAS. No regrets!????
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      54. A nas could power down HD when they aren’t used? Have a few ssd and use HD for colder storage and copies.
        Besides, just as a DAS a NAS can be turned off when jot needed/in use. Or is there a reason it shouldn’t? After a flooding on the ground floor my nas on my first floor was rurned of for 6 months, no problem at all
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      55. A nas could power down HD when they aren’t used? Have a few ssd and use HD for colder storage and copies.
        Besides, just as a DAS a NAS can be turned off when jot needed/in use. Or is there a reason it shouldn’t? After a flooding on the ground floor my nas on my first floor was rurned of for 6 months, no problem at all
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      56. The biggest reason someone might not need a NAS: *Your files are nowhere near exceeding 2TB.*

        at that point, you can just carry around an external HDD/SSD. They are quieter, more compact, and more portable (and these can easily handle up to 4TB these days).
        HOWEVER… things change if your files start approaching 4TB or larger, because there really isn’t any external HDD/SSD larger than 4TB at all, or portable enough. Also, if you intend to use external HDD/SSD between multiple OS, you are still stuck with ExFAT file system.
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      57. The biggest reason someone might not need a NAS: *Your files are nowhere near exceeding 2TB.*

        at that point, you can just carry around an external HDD/SSD. They are quieter, more compact, and more portable (and these can easily handle up to 4TB these days).
        HOWEVER… things change if your files start approaching 4TB or larger, because there really isn’t any external HDD/SSD larger than 4TB at all, or portable enough. Also, if you intend to use external HDD/SSD between multiple OS, you are still stuck with ExFAT file system.
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      58. I guess one of the votes for local storage would be the continued cost/availability of fast upload speeds. Even in the broadband improving UK they do love to sell you fast download with a limited upload. And for some/many (especially in the US? Or in rural UK) there’s still only ADSL, or very expensive fibre if they are lucky. I recall the experiment a few years ago with an sd card strapped to a homing pigeon.

        A related video you guys could do, would be the easiest & cheapest ways to get to a reliable 3-2-1 backup depth. There are plenty who forget to *maintain* one level of backup, or at least an on NAS copy – the additional layer is even less likely to get done!

        Lots now doing their work straight off the NAS/DAS these days too, so that’s only a 1+ level of data protection. [I taking the definition that “1 copy” is the live file with no raid].

        Let alone the risk that all 3 copies are in the same room.
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      59. I guess one of the votes for local storage would be the continued cost/availability of fast upload speeds. Even in the broadband improving UK they do love to sell you fast download with a limited upload. And for some/many (especially in the US? Or in rural UK) there’s still only ADSL, or very expensive fibre if they are lucky. I recall the experiment a few years ago with an sd card strapped to a homing pigeon.

        A related video you guys could do, would be the easiest & cheapest ways to get to a reliable 3-2-1 backup depth. There are plenty who forget to *maintain* one level of backup, or at least an on NAS copy – the additional layer is even less likely to get done!

        Lots now doing their work straight off the NAS/DAS these days too, so that’s only a 1+ level of data protection. [I taking the definition that “1 copy” is the live file with no raid].

        Let alone the risk that all 3 copies are in the same room.
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      60. Even if you can’t otherwise rationalize a NAS, just spent a few hundred dollars to buy a small Synology NAS and run Active Backup For Business to backup all of the computers in your home. The next time one of them irretrievably crashes and burns, those few hundred dollars might just be the best money you ever spent to be able to run a bare metal restore. QNAP has a similar backup method. And if your business or employment depends on that computer, time is money and that lost earnings stream might easily pay for that NAS. I recently had one of my desktop apps get completely trashed. It took about 30 minutes to get my desktop back to where it was prior to where it was the night before. That was worth hundreds of dollars to me. Think of your NAS, in this setting, as an insurance policy that you hope you never need.
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      61. Even if you can’t otherwise rationalize a NAS, just spent a few hundred dollars to buy a small Synology NAS and run Active Backup For Business to backup all of the computers in your home. The next time one of them irretrievably crashes and burns, those few hundred dollars might just be the best money you ever spent to be able to run a bare metal restore. QNAP has a similar backup method. And if your business or employment depends on that computer, time is money and that lost earnings stream might easily pay for that NAS. I recently had one of my desktop apps get completely trashed. It took about 30 minutes to get my desktop back to where it was prior to where it was the night before. That was worth hundreds of dollars to me. Think of your NAS, in this setting, as an insurance policy that you hope you never need.
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      62. Great video. Exactly my case. One moment I thought about just backing up my files and media and the next moment I’m deep in YT videos about different 4 bay NAS options. Maybe just an external USB drive is quite enough. And cheaper.
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      63. Great video. Exactly my case. One moment I thought about just backing up my files and media and the next moment I’m deep in YT videos about different 4 bay NAS options. Maybe just an external USB drive is quite enough. And cheaper.
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      64. Some statements are pretty provocative 🙂 For example, “you write data to a drive, you place it in your friend’s home, and after 20 years you still have that data”… Not necessarily. A friend put a lot of data on 5 2.5 inch 500Gb hard drives and put them on a shelf. After 7 years only 2 of them worked as new, from 2 drives I rescued the data, and I didn’t succeed to rescue any data from the last one. Now the data from 4 disks are stored on one NAS, backed up to another and one copy lies in AWS Deep Glacier storage. That’s what is called peace of mind.
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      65. Some statements are pretty provocative 🙂 For example, “you write data to a drive, you place it in your friend’s home, and after 20 years you still have that data”… Not necessarily. A friend put a lot of data on 5 2.5 inch 500Gb hard drives and put them on a shelf. After 7 years only 2 of them worked as new, from 2 drives I rescued the data, and I didn’t succeed to rescue any data from the last one. Now the data from 4 disks are stored on one NAS, backed up to another and one copy lies in AWS Deep Glacier storage. That’s what is called peace of mind.
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      66. I’ve got a 10yo 2-bay Syno on my home network. I don’t keep anything locally on any of my 4 home PCs that I can’t afford to lose. All my “production” files are kept on the NAS or on the work server if I occasionally work from home, and I periodically do incremental backup to a standalone USB drive which I keep on my desk so I can grab it to go in case of emergency. I’d like to replace the Syno with a DIY build and maybe with a flash cache for higher local transfer speeds.
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      67. I’ve got a 10yo 2-bay Syno on my home network. I don’t keep anything locally on any of my 4 home PCs that I can’t afford to lose. All my “production” files are kept on the NAS or on the work server if I occasionally work from home, and I periodically do incremental backup to a standalone USB drive which I keep on my desk so I can grab it to go in case of emergency. I’d like to replace the Syno with a DIY build and maybe with a flash cache for higher local transfer speeds.
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      68. I’m buying a NAS because I want to build another computer and my desktop is already epic. I just have a 14TB HDD in my desktop that is almost full, gonna be nice with 36TB more usable storage in Z2. Gonna be fun to learn TrueNAS too, haven’t really messed with ZFS and pools and such before.
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      69. I’m buying a NAS because I want to build another computer and my desktop is already epic. I just have a 14TB HDD in my desktop that is almost full, gonna be nice with 36TB more usable storage in Z2. Gonna be fun to learn TrueNAS too, haven’t really messed with ZFS and pools and such before.
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      70. As a video editor, I did tinker with the idea of only using cloud storage for files but it’s just so prohibitive. If I were just doing office paperwork then cloud is more than enough
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      71. As a video editor, I did tinker with the idea of only using cloud storage for files but it’s just so prohibitive. If I were just doing office paperwork then cloud is more than enough
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      72. I’m fed up with everything being subscription based. I therefor looked for something I can run on my own and even use as we server etc. I looked for hardware with a decent software suite (qnap in this case) as it could also run unraid and has a ton of expansions I could use (extra m2 slots for example). Although the investment was pretty large I should have it back by not needing all those subscriptions for photos and storage ????
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      73. I’m fed up with everything being subscription based. I therefor looked for something I can run on my own and even use as we server etc. I looked for hardware with a decent software suite (qnap in this case) as it could also run unraid and has a ton of expansions I could use (extra m2 slots for example). Although the investment was pretty large I should have it back by not needing all those subscriptions for photos and storage ????
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      74. I was waiting for the UGreen NASync DXP4800 Plus to be sold in the UK.
        It nows seems to be vapourware.
        Can’t find it for sale anywhere.

        Was it just a kickstarter experiment by UGreen?
        Have they stopped manufacturing and selling them?
        Did they discover issues that they need to fix?

        Will they ever be available again?

        Anybody have any answers?
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      75. I was waiting for the UGreen NASync DXP4800 Plus to be sold in the UK.
        It nows seems to be vapourware.
        Can’t find it for sale anywhere.

        Was it just a kickstarter experiment by UGreen?
        Have they stopped manufacturing and selling them?
        Did they discover issues that they need to fix?

        Will they ever be available again?

        Anybody have any answers?
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      76. The whole reason I started looking at NAS is, because Apple! But very little YouTube material about NAS options seems to be Apple focussed. Apple’s internal storage pricing is so outrageously gougy that even expensive NAS solutions look like good value in comparison! What I was looking for was a box with a number of SSD slots for the first-tier storage and one or two hot-swap HD caddies for off-line backup. It would have a fast thunderbolt connection for the Mac mini that is my main workhorse plus a network connection to make the same data available to my other machines (1GB would be fine for this, but 10GB would be nice for future-proofing). The main benefit of the NAS is to make the same data available to everything, and the ability to autonomously handle backup to the second and third (cloud) tiers. I did not find anything meeting my specifications and found instead alarming numbers of comments about compatibility problems working in the Apple ecosystem. I ended up assembling my own DAS with a two bay HD enclosure and two separate Thunderbolt 4 enclosures with 4TB SSDs inside. I still think the industry is missing an opportunity to produce a modest capacity but high performance NAS system on this scale specifically for the Apple market!
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      77. The whole reason I started looking at NAS is, because Apple! But very little YouTube material about NAS options seems to be Apple focussed. Apple’s internal storage pricing is so outrageously gougy that even expensive NAS solutions look like good value in comparison! What I was looking for was a box with a number of SSD slots for the first-tier storage and one or two hot-swap HD caddies for off-line backup. It would have a fast thunderbolt connection for the Mac mini that is my main workhorse plus a network connection to make the same data available to my other machines (1GB would be fine for this, but 10GB would be nice for future-proofing). The main benefit of the NAS is to make the same data available to everything, and the ability to autonomously handle backup to the second and third (cloud) tiers. I did not find anything meeting my specifications and found instead alarming numbers of comments about compatibility problems working in the Apple ecosystem. I ended up assembling my own DAS with a two bay HD enclosure and two separate Thunderbolt 4 enclosures with 4TB SSDs inside. I still think the industry is missing an opportunity to produce a modest capacity but high performance NAS system on this scale specifically for the Apple market!
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      78. Use Tailscale and all of the connectivity issues melt. It’s game changing especially now you can gen your own certs. I also keep 10Tb in the cloud for DR but hey its under $50USD for the year.
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      79. Use Tailscale and all of the connectivity issues melt. It’s game changing especially now you can gen your own certs. I also keep 10Tb in the cloud for DR but hey its under $50USD for the year.
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      80. I would love not to have a NAS . My requirements, mainly for my wife who is a photographer, are good/multiple backups and network access at home from several devices. Once I can finally get decent broadband with maybe gigabit upload/download then cloud could solve the network access issue, but we’d still need a nice and easy backup strategy in addition to cloud. I like to think there is a better IT solution waiting to be developed, but NASes are the best we have for the time being. It’s frustrating.
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      81. I would love not to have a NAS . My requirements, mainly for my wife who is a photographer, are good/multiple backups and network access at home from several devices. Once I can finally get decent broadband with maybe gigabit upload/download then cloud could solve the network access issue, but we’d still need a nice and easy backup strategy in addition to cloud. I like to think there is a better IT solution waiting to be developed, but NASes are the best we have for the time being. It’s frustrating.
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      82. I use cold storage and have no use for a NAS. I have 3 copys of every TB . Which i update every week. i honestly don’t want the extra power bill.
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      83. I use cold storage and have no use for a NAS. I have 3 copys of every TB . Which i update every week. i honestly don’t want the extra power bill.
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      84. Maybe I’m an edge case but living in an area without broadband and hating subscriptions are two huge reasons to have local storage. Couple that with cloud companies getting in bed with fascists (yes, I’m a Yank) makes me want to avoid their services completely. I like local, open-source, DIY and complete control of my data, thank you very much.
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      85. Maybe I’m an edge case but living in an area without broadband and hating subscriptions are two huge reasons to have local storage. Couple that with cloud companies getting in bed with fascists (yes, I’m a Yank) makes me want to avoid their services completely. I like local, open-source, DIY and complete control of my data, thank you very much.
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      86. I just bought a thunderbolt enclosure , and share it off the mac studio, its small enough to fit in my bag so i take it with me if i want to use from the laptop away from the house.
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      87. I just bought a thunderbolt enclosure , and share it off the mac studio, its small enough to fit in my bag so i take it with me if i want to use from the laptop away from the house.
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      88. Well, if you leave a hard drive on the shelf for 30 years it will have lost data because it have magnetic platters.
        The magnetic “field” will loose it’s power over the years and eventually your data will be corrupted.
        That’s why you have a thing called scrubbing where the data is moved around and re-written again so it wont get corrupted.
        Same thing with SSD’s. The electric charge in the cells will slowly disappear.
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      89. Well, if you leave a hard drive on the shelf for 30 years it will have lost data because it have magnetic platters.
        The magnetic “field” will loose it’s power over the years and eventually your data will be corrupted.
        That’s why you have a thing called scrubbing where the data is moved around and re-written again so it wont get corrupted.
        Same thing with SSD’s. The electric charge in the cells will slowly disappear.
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      90. The NAS hat a bunch of minor issues. It does not properly test disk drives inserted. I used an older but not failing one and this causes a ton of problems like random disconnects. Then with 2 brand new 8TB drives copying thousand of small files (like 100GB worth) can take hours or even days! I have let Unifi know about this days ago and so far just one canned response. It is NOT fast in may experience even with all 10gbe connections. Just keeping it real folks.
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      91. The NAS hat a bunch of minor issues. It does not properly test disk drives inserted. I used an older but not failing one and this causes a ton of problems like random disconnects. Then with 2 brand new 8TB drives copying thousand of small files (like 100GB worth) can take hours or even days! I have let Unifi know about this days ago and so far just one canned response. It is NOT fast in may experience even with all 10gbe connections. Just keeping it real folks.
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      92. Hi, can you advise please, if I connect UNAS Pro to UDM-pro via 10G SFP+, and then from the UDM-Pro connect to my windows PC using 10G SFP+, will I achieve the roughly speeds of 500-850 MB/s (RAID 5 using 3 x Seagate Exos X24 20gb drives). Or do I need a 10G SFP+ switch?
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      93. Hi, can you advise please, if I connect UNAS Pro to UDM-pro via 10G SFP+, and then from the UDM-Pro connect to my windows PC using 10G SFP+, will I achieve the roughly speeds of 500-850 MB/s (RAID 5 using 3 x Seagate Exos X24 20gb drives). Or do I need a 10G SFP+ switch?
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      94. Why should I buy this NAS? Out of curiosity perhaps, but certainly not for practical reasons! Look at a QNAP, Synology and even a UUGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus. Maybe a 4 bay instead of a 7 bay, but much better hardware and software and therefore possibilities. If I would buy one of these brands, and I only use the bare NAS properties, then you still have a 20x better NAS that is not only more durable, but also many times as much as a UniFi UNAS Pro. By the way, just leave the Pro out of it, Marketing-wise it may sound nice, but it certainly is not. It is a big marketing launch from UniFi anyway. But an experienced NAS user really knows better.
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      95. Why should I buy this NAS? Out of curiosity perhaps, but certainly not for practical reasons! Look at a QNAP, Synology and even a UUGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus. Maybe a 4 bay instead of a 7 bay, but much better hardware and software and therefore possibilities. If I would buy one of these brands, and I only use the bare NAS properties, then you still have a 20x better NAS that is not only more durable, but also many times as much as a UniFi UNAS Pro. By the way, just leave the Pro out of it, Marketing-wise it may sound nice, but it certainly is not. It is a big marketing launch from UniFi anyway. But an experienced NAS user really knows better.
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      96. I’ve also discovered the two ports, are not for failover. You can only use one at a time. UniFi advised you can only use SFP+ or RJ45. Not both at the same time.
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      97. I’ve also discovered the two ports, are not for failover. You can only use one at a time. UniFi advised you can only use SFP+ or RJ45. Not both at the same time.
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      98. I’ve been testing my UNAS Pro with four Seagate 18tb Exos drives in the “more protection” setting. I have uncovered a major issue it has with being unable to download files completely to any iPhone via the Identity app. Regardless of Wifi, or LTE (5G or 4G mobile), if you use Safari, it failed on every file to be able to download a file in its entirety. It would download half an image or half a wav or mp3 or mp4, but not the whole file. Despite multiple emails to UniFi and going through their escalation team they were unable to identify the issue until the end when I worked out it is an issue with Safari. Switching to Google Chrome as the browser on the iPhone, it works! I have advised UniFi and they say they will investigate and look at a possible update as they realise now there is an issue with the driver and a bug in its ability to allow for sharing and downloading to the files app on the iPhone via Safari. Thought I’d share for anyone else experiencing this issue. Would be keen to know if you have found this also.
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      99. I’ve been testing my UNAS Pro with four Seagate 18tb Exos drives in the “more protection” setting. I have uncovered a major issue it has with being unable to download files completely to any iPhone via the Identity app. Regardless of Wifi, or LTE (5G or 4G mobile), if you use Safari, it failed on every file to be able to download a file in its entirety. It would download half an image or half a wav or mp3 or mp4, but not the whole file. Despite multiple emails to UniFi and going through their escalation team they were unable to identify the issue until the end when I worked out it is an issue with Safari. Switching to Google Chrome as the browser on the iPhone, it works! I have advised UniFi and they say they will investigate and look at a possible update as they realise now there is an issue with the driver and a bug in its ability to allow for sharing and downloading to the files app on the iPhone via Safari. Thought I’d share for anyone else experiencing this issue. Would be keen to know if you have found this also.
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      100. Might add some of the refurbished drives from Amazon or perhaps other locations that people might trust to save even more cash for those who might spend the extra on redundancy
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      101. Might add some of the refurbished drives from Amazon or perhaps other locations that people might trust to save even more cash for those who might spend the extra on redundancy
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      102. FANTASTIC REVIEW, ROB!!!

        Thanks a lot!

        I am a long time Ubiquiti user, both UniFi (SOHO/semi-Pro use) and UISP (professional use) and although the lacking twistles that others can offer, as you say, this NAS is almost the ideal companion of a full UniFi network.
        I’d lke the WORM feature as you mentioned, but hopefully I think they will put in there as soon as possible.

        It is very interesting that an early firmware fron Ubiquiti would be as complete and stable as this one, at the moment of the launch.
        In my memory, this is almost the first time it happens… ????

        Price wise, it is a bargain!

        I’ll purchase it, maybe the new revisions in mid 2025… ????
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      103. FANTASTIC REVIEW, ROB!!!

        Thanks a lot!

        I am a long time Ubiquiti user, both UniFi (SOHO/semi-Pro use) and UISP (professional use) and although the lacking twistles that others can offer, as you say, this NAS is almost the ideal companion of a full UniFi network.
        I’d lke the WORM feature as you mentioned, but hopefully I think they will put in there as soon as possible.

        It is very interesting that an early firmware fron Ubiquiti would be as complete and stable as this one, at the moment of the launch.
        In my memory, this is almost the first time it happens… ????

        Price wise, it is a bargain!

        I’ll purchase it, maybe the new revisions in mid 2025… ????
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      104. was he using thunderbolt 4 to another machine with a thunderbolt connection? That should be able to run like direct pcie. Am I missing something ? Why so slow
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      105. was he using thunderbolt 4 to another machine with a thunderbolt connection? That should be able to run like direct pcie. Am I missing something ? Why so slow
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      106. Just bought one, spent several hours getting frustrated by it and sent it back. What a horrible experience the Terramaster was. Just the setup experience alone destroyed my trust in the platform. Finding it on the network took quite a long time. Had to reboot it manually after it booted the first time. Eventually it appeared and it is not clear what you actually do. It had an Apipa ip address. I clicked login and then it asked me to change the IP and enter the admin password. What it really meant, was wait 5-10 seconds and we will change the ip to a DHCP obtained – but I spent several rounds of accepting and logging in with the generated IP. The first time you click login and type the password it does not do anything. Nor does the login button above the interface – which actually makes it generate a new DHCP IP address. I had to right-click and only login that way – it was just weird. It could not find the internet so picking autosetup did not work. Manually I setup the name, password etc. and the boxes kept turning red indicating, I guess, I had not entered valid data – 0 feedback in the GUI. It could not send verification email during that setup. It has a code producer you need to type in 4 digits that on a large screen you could not see it. I know I am rambling but I just went through this and it was very mickey mouse. There just isn’t any feedback to anything you do – if it does not like your input it just stares into a corner. Others suggested FreeNAS and that sounds the way to go, but I decided a 423+ is just going to be better as I wanted a pretty simple experience.
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      107. Just bought one, spent several hours getting frustrated by it and sent it back. What a horrible experience the Terramaster was. Just the setup experience alone destroyed my trust in the platform. Finding it on the network took quite a long time. Had to reboot it manually after it booted the first time. Eventually it appeared and it is not clear what you actually do. It had an Apipa ip address. I clicked login and then it asked me to change the IP and enter the admin password. What it really meant, was wait 5-10 seconds and we will change the ip to a DHCP obtained – but I spent several rounds of accepting and logging in with the generated IP. The first time you click login and type the password it does not do anything. Nor does the login button above the interface – which actually makes it generate a new DHCP IP address. I had to right-click and only login that way – it was just weird. It could not find the internet so picking autosetup did not work. Manually I setup the name, password etc. and the boxes kept turning red indicating, I guess, I had not entered valid data – 0 feedback in the GUI. It could not send verification email during that setup. It has a code producer you need to type in 4 digits that on a large screen you could not see it. I know I am rambling but I just went through this and it was very mickey mouse. There just isn’t any feedback to anything you do – if it does not like your input it just stares into a corner. Others suggested FreeNAS and that sounds the way to go, but I decided a 423+ is just going to be better as I wanted a pretty simple experience.
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      108. Great review! Thank you.
        Just to clarify… I cannot have 2x 16TB disk in here without RAID, together with 4x 4TB disks in RAID10 right? Because the two 16TB ones would be consumed by the RAID as well (as 4TB disks).

        Is that correct?
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      109. Great review! Thank you.
        Just to clarify… I cannot have 2x 16TB disk in here without RAID, together with 4x 4TB disks in RAID10 right? Because the two 16TB ones would be consumed by the RAID as well (as 4TB disks).

        Is that correct?
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      110. Unifi has a few great lines: wifi, switching, maybe power.
        Then they have some weird stuff:
        – Security cameras, where users can’t add cameras in the phone app unless they are given admin rights.
        – Signage product that plays content on a TV. Nice idea, lousy software. Transitions between pictures are not suitable for public use.

        I didn’t try access control yet.
        I wonder how will the NAS turn out.
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      111. Unifi has a few great lines: wifi, switching, maybe power.
        Then they have some weird stuff:
        – Security cameras, where users can’t add cameras in the phone app unless they are given admin rights.
        – Signage product that plays content on a TV. Nice idea, lousy software. Transitions between pictures are not suitable for public use.

        I didn’t try access control yet.
        I wonder how will the NAS turn out.
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      112. Say you had an Android phone and wanted to transfer videos to your NAS.

        Is the software robust enough to simply ‘send to NAS’ with a couple taps on your phone?
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      113. Say you had an Android phone and wanted to transfer videos to your NAS.

        Is the software robust enough to simply ‘send to NAS’ with a couple taps on your phone?
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      114. Fantastic in depth review man! I just got the Minisforum MS-01 to replace my DS918+ in terms of server needs, so my Synology is just acting as storage now, so this would be the perfect unit for me to upgrade to 10Gbe to go with the rest of my UniFi stuff besides that it doesn’t have NFS yet :/ quick question, when you say reactive storage, do you mean you can add drives to the pool without wiping and just increase pool size?
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      115. Fantastic in depth review man! I just got the Minisforum MS-01 to replace my DS918+ in terms of server needs, so my Synology is just acting as storage now, so this would be the perfect unit for me to upgrade to 10Gbe to go with the rest of my UniFi stuff besides that it doesn’t have NFS yet :/ quick question, when you say reactive storage, do you mean you can add drives to the pool without wiping and just increase pool size?
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      116. How does this unit handle drive expansion? Say I have all 7 bays filled and I need more storage…Can I swap a drive or two with higher capacities in place and it dynamically adjust the array to make that space available?
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      117. How does this unit handle drive expansion? Say I have all 7 bays filled and I need more storage…Can I swap a drive or two with higher capacities in place and it dynamically adjust the array to make that space available?
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      118. 16 bay version will be here soon and it’s also already at a cheaper price than Synology. They do have stacking but I would assume that’s also possible
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      119. 16 bay version will be here soon and it’s also already at a cheaper price than Synology. They do have stacking but I would assume that’s also possible
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      120. You give UI too much of a pass for being an ecosystem and as such they don’t have to play nice with others. You also mention the word “Enterprise” numerous times. So does UI whenever it can. These two add up to missing one big fundamental, as you put it, which is directory integration and I’d argue licensing bc it’s a huge part of the marketing. Everything “Enterprise” must have directory integration, that’s what pretty much the term really means. UI in its AzureAD/Keycloak/Okta/ADFS/etc knockoff — none of which ALSO requires specialized branded hardware BTW — put LDAP/AD integration behind a per-user per-month subscription, despite the fact that unlike the aforementioned, they aren’t providing any service at all, only the permission to connect your own hardware to your own systems, AKA: licensing.

        This storage thingy is worthless is you need to keep separate accounts for it. It opens doors for so many problems. If you want to use the Enterprise moniker you need to integrate or have a system so well thought out that you can cover any need, absolutely any need even if it’s convoluted, perhaps egregious, like Cisco’s. This ecosystem thing is cute until it starts being a headache, the pretty dashboards in day-to-day are rarely useful, and the push for a cloud dependency, the fact that your network devices tasked to guard your data are exfiltrating it from your network, the fact that UI relentlessly pushed for mobile app-based mgmt revokable at any point leaving gear unmanageable (like UniFi Video did) are headaches waiting to happen.
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      121. You give UI too much of a pass for being an ecosystem and as such they don’t have to play nice with others. You also mention the word “Enterprise” numerous times. So does UI whenever it can. These two add up to missing one big fundamental, as you put it, which is directory integration and I’d argue licensing bc it’s a huge part of the marketing. Everything “Enterprise” must have directory integration, that’s what pretty much the term really means. UI in its AzureAD/Keycloak/Okta/ADFS/etc knockoff — none of which ALSO requires specialized branded hardware BTW — put LDAP/AD integration behind a per-user per-month subscription, despite the fact that unlike the aforementioned, they aren’t providing any service at all, only the permission to connect your own hardware to your own systems, AKA: licensing.

        This storage thingy is worthless is you need to keep separate accounts for it. It opens doors for so many problems. If you want to use the Enterprise moniker you need to integrate or have a system so well thought out that you can cover any need, absolutely any need even if it’s convoluted, perhaps egregious, like Cisco’s. This ecosystem thing is cute until it starts being a headache, the pretty dashboards in day-to-day are rarely useful, and the push for a cloud dependency, the fact that your network devices tasked to guard your data are exfiltrating it from your network, the fact that UI relentlessly pushed for mobile app-based mgmt revokable at any point leaving gear unmanageable (like UniFi Video did) are headaches waiting to happen.
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      122. It’s underpowered, given that it has a 10gb interface , fully saturated with ssd would generate 3500 mbs yet the controller I will be only half the hd capacity transfer rate
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      123. It’s underpowered, given that it has a 10gb interface , fully saturated with ssd would generate 3500 mbs yet the controller I will be only half the hd capacity transfer rate
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      124. Hi there, thanks for the video.

        I am looking to see the following:

        1. iPhone and Android Applications to backup the pictures from the phone into the UNAS.
        2. something similar to google documents to create office documents directly on the UNAS.
        3. backup up one entire windows computer to the UNAS, similar to synology backup for business. .
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      125. Hi there, thanks for the video.

        I am looking to see the following:

        1. iPhone and Android Applications to backup the pictures from the phone into the UNAS.
        2. something similar to google documents to create office documents directly on the UNAS.
        3. backup up one entire windows computer to the UNAS, similar to synology backup for business. .
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      126. I will get one because I have a ton of UNIFI in my house (Personally, I would not use Ubiquiti at work. Not Ent enough for that). But what I love about Synology is all the apps you have access to, and the more significant benefit to me is upgradability. On my 1821+, I tossed in a 10G card, two 2TB NVME caches, and 32 GB RAM.
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      127. I will get one because I have a ton of UNIFI in my house (Personally, I would not use Ubiquiti at work. Not Ent enough for that). But what I love about Synology is all the apps you have access to, and the more significant benefit to me is upgradability. On my 1821+, I tossed in a 10G card, two 2TB NVME caches, and 32 GB RAM.
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      128. Thanks.. good review. I have converted all my networking to Unifi and am considering while building a new house whether I want to use Unifi cameras. If this could have replaced the UDM it would have been a no brainer, but as a satisfied UnRaid user of 20 years, the lack of some networking and apparent inability to mix/match drive sizes may make me just get a UDM and keep my existing UnRaid. Definitely something to keep my eyes on though.
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      129. Thanks.. good review. I have converted all my networking to Unifi and am considering while building a new house whether I want to use Unifi cameras. If this could have replaced the UDM it would have been a no brainer, but as a satisfied UnRaid user of 20 years, the lack of some networking and apparent inability to mix/match drive sizes may make me just get a UDM and keep my existing UnRaid. Definitely something to keep my eyes on though.
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      130. I disagree that this is not an exciting product. I think it is exciting to see such an intuitive user interface, a focus on the basics, and very capable hardware for such an unheard of low price. I don’t use the snazzy bits of my Synology NAS and would prefer the 10Gb/s connection and the intuitive interface of the UniFi NAS. UniFi don’t unecessarily prescribe any UniFi-branded hardware and are yet to remove features that one paid for, like Synology. Can’t wait to see RAID 6 support and perhaps a future model with support for media-transcoding and a USB port.
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      131. I disagree that this is not an exciting product. I think it is exciting to see such an intuitive user interface, a focus on the basics, and very capable hardware for such an unheard of low price. I don’t use the snazzy bits of my Synology NAS and would prefer the 10Gb/s connection and the intuitive interface of the UniFi NAS. UniFi don’t unecessarily prescribe any UniFi-branded hardware and are yet to remove features that one paid for, like Synology. Can’t wait to see RAID 6 support and perhaps a future model with support for media-transcoding and a USB port.
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      132. for me at thos time That NAS is only for hosting backup of my data and config of Synology nas becouse I need runn all my services from nas. I actuaky run old websites on my nas and run docker on my main Synology. But Synology pice me of when I see deleted apps – webstation plugin deleted from DSM 7.2 – old PHP (Update php code for that sites is not cost effective in terms of time or money to rewrite them to the latest php) and I mast be on DSM 7.1 – deleting support too apps fron old dsm on new version pice me of but I intrested to have uptodate nas.

        UNAS for me is also to big and have too big energy consumption and 7 HDDs is not form me.
        If UNAS will be based on 4 HDDs UNVR and have webstation like on Synology and docker support (to install DNS Server on difrent docker apps).
        About Unifi apps for me will be good Use UNAS as unifi backup target storage for auto backup network or protect or UnifiOS on UNAS – If I see that things on Unifi devices as UNAS I probably will swich from Synology.. – I’m a homrlaber have a unifi network on my home.

        I think UNAS Pro ss for me for a bog misness or enterprise where data access tiime or suoort alot users too data on drives, on home is too big and bare additional functions as for energy consumption.
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      133. for me at thos time That NAS is only for hosting backup of my data and config of Synology nas becouse I need runn all my services from nas. I actuaky run old websites on my nas and run docker on my main Synology. But Synology pice me of when I see deleted apps – webstation plugin deleted from DSM 7.2 – old PHP (Update php code for that sites is not cost effective in terms of time or money to rewrite them to the latest php) and I mast be on DSM 7.1 – deleting support too apps fron old dsm on new version pice me of but I intrested to have uptodate nas.

        UNAS for me is also to big and have too big energy consumption and 7 HDDs is not form me.
        If UNAS will be based on 4 HDDs UNVR and have webstation like on Synology and docker support (to install DNS Server on difrent docker apps).
        About Unifi apps for me will be good Use UNAS as unifi backup target storage for auto backup network or protect or UnifiOS on UNAS – If I see that things on Unifi devices as UNAS I probably will swich from Synology.. – I’m a homrlaber have a unifi network on my home.

        I think UNAS Pro ss for me for a bog misness or enterprise where data access tiime or suoort alot users too data on drives, on home is too big and bare additional functions as for energy consumption.
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      134. I haven’t had a “modern” NAS, I have a bit of a basic question. Can I buy this NAS, throw in two 20TB drives in RAID5, and then expand and switch it over to RAID6?
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      135. I haven’t had a “modern” NAS, I have a bit of a basic question. Can I buy this NAS, throw in two 20TB drives in RAID5, and then expand and switch it over to RAID6?
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      136. Not really a fair comparison to compare to Synology really as Synology are not just a NAS, they have an app ecosystem too, where as the Unifi NAS is just a NAS and no extra crap.
        I think the hardware is identical to the UNVR Pro, except the UNAS is 8gb RAM. Price is identical as UNVR, and I feel the price point is pretty good for a 10gbp link, Directory Service integration. UI have advised they are adding Raid 6 in a firmware update, so they do listen to the users. I don’t think M.2 is really a big deal, you can get adaptors from M.2 to 2.5″ 2.5″ SATA will max out a 10gbps connection anyway. The single PSU is not an issue as it supports the Unifi USP device as well when you want redundant power supplies. It would add cost if you had a redundant PSU and this is NOT an enterprise version of the device.
        I have seen several reviews of this unit and the speed tends to be consistent. Again, remember this is not an Enterprise version of the device. This is a Pro version, which is in between standard and enterprise. A lot of Synology devices at similar price point only have 2 x 1gbp NIC’s
        I feel if this sells well, UI will likely release an Enterprise and standard version, based around the other UNVR form factors they have.
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      137. Not really a fair comparison to compare to Synology really as Synology are not just a NAS, they have an app ecosystem too, where as the Unifi NAS is just a NAS and no extra crap.
        I think the hardware is identical to the UNVR Pro, except the UNAS is 8gb RAM. Price is identical as UNVR, and I feel the price point is pretty good for a 10gbp link, Directory Service integration. UI have advised they are adding Raid 6 in a firmware update, so they do listen to the users. I don’t think M.2 is really a big deal, you can get adaptors from M.2 to 2.5″ 2.5″ SATA will max out a 10gbps connection anyway. The single PSU is not an issue as it supports the Unifi USP device as well when you want redundant power supplies. It would add cost if you had a redundant PSU and this is NOT an enterprise version of the device.
        I have seen several reviews of this unit and the speed tends to be consistent. Again, remember this is not an Enterprise version of the device. This is a Pro version, which is in between standard and enterprise. A lot of Synology devices at similar price point only have 2 x 1gbp NIC’s
        I feel if this sells well, UI will likely release an Enterprise and standard version, based around the other UNVR form factors they have.
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      138. Is it true it doesn’t do iSCSI or NFS?

        If so it should be called the “UniFi NAS Home”, or “UniFi NAS SMB”

        I am fine with it not doing containers or VM’s, but not doing NAS features such as iSCSI or NFS, and then calling it a “PRO” NAS is ridiculous

        I am even fine with the price point, but the NAS PRO name without iSCSI or NFS is ridiculous
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      139. Is it true it doesn’t do iSCSI or NFS?

        If so it should be called the “UniFi NAS Home”, or “UniFi NAS SMB”

        I am fine with it not doing containers or VM’s, but not doing NAS features such as iSCSI or NFS, and then calling it a “PRO” NAS is ridiculous

        I am even fine with the price point, but the NAS PRO name without iSCSI or NFS is ridiculous
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      140. Infomation is good but too much fluff in the video instead of providing succinct information. Maybe creating a script would help instead of rambling and repeating the same point again and again?
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      141. Infomation is good but too much fluff in the video instead of providing succinct information. Maybe creating a script would help instead of rambling and repeating the same point again and again?
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      142. this iust a simple and very basic NAS / filer but lacks « business » features specially for the number of drives that it holds:
        * NVMe Cache
        * Better and more capable processor
        * More RAM!!
        * Dual 10GbE RJ45/SFP+ for LACP & redundancy
        * Dual PSU for power resilience
        * AD Authentication integration
        * FIPS 140-2 compliance for business that is required
        * No SCSI or NFS support

        Wouldn’t recommend this unit for professional use.
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      143. this iust a simple and very basic NAS / filer but lacks « business » features specially for the number of drives that it holds:
        * NVMe Cache
        * Better and more capable processor
        * More RAM!!
        * Dual 10GbE RJ45/SFP+ for LACP & redundancy
        * Dual PSU for power resilience
        * AD Authentication integration
        * FIPS 140-2 compliance for business that is required
        * No SCSI or NFS support

        Wouldn’t recommend this unit for professional use.
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      144. Raid 6 is a curious omission, with raid 10 you have to rely on luck for more than one drive failure especially here with an odd number of drives. So three options, basic protection(raid 1), advanced protection raid 6) and performance (raid 10 would have been ideal. Perhaps a max version with raid 6 and zfs/NFS is in their future. I don’t see the point personally of adding docker etc when most will use another more powerful scalable server for virtualization (proxmox etc)
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      145. Raid 6 is a curious omission, with raid 10 you have to rely on luck for more than one drive failure especially here with an odd number of drives. So three options, basic protection(raid 1), advanced protection raid 6) and performance (raid 10 would have been ideal. Perhaps a max version with raid 6 and zfs/NFS is in their future. I don’t see the point personally of adding docker etc when most will use another more powerful scalable server for virtualization (proxmox etc)
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      146. It is “cheap”, short depth, quiet, and Unifi. Those are the selling points. Everything else goes hard to the other guys by all appearances. Qnap has a few very short depth (13cm) NAS as well, but the price point speaks for itself.
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      147. It is “cheap”, short depth, quiet, and Unifi. Those are the selling points. Everything else goes hard to the other guys by all appearances. Qnap has a few very short depth (13cm) NAS as well, but the price point speaks for itself.
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      148. Look Unifi is a cult like Synology BUT ….a NAS that doesn’t have docker, apps, rubbish ,,,a NAS that actually prioritizes local Network attached storage? …Well that is very interesting to me.
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      149. Look Unifi is a cult like Synology BUT ….a NAS that doesn’t have docker, apps, rubbish ,,,a NAS that actually prioritizes local Network attached storage? …Well that is very interesting to me.
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      150. Huge question for using this at work: What is the Active Directory integration like? I saw the checkbox option being moused over many times, but it was never explored on the video. Can I manage access to shares based on group rights, and apply group rights to a share, or a folder within a share?

        From a business perspective, the lack of a second PSU is definitely problematic… they really want to push their weird outboard PSU, I know, but that just doesn’t fly if you’re trying to play with the big boys. For small environments and homes, however, it seems pretty great… as long as what you want is STORAGE and not all the extra stuff Synology and the like have grown into becoming.
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      151. Huge question for using this at work: What is the Active Directory integration like? I saw the checkbox option being moused over many times, but it was never explored on the video. Can I manage access to shares based on group rights, and apply group rights to a share, or a folder within a share?

        From a business perspective, the lack of a second PSU is definitely problematic… they really want to push their weird outboard PSU, I know, but that just doesn’t fly if you’re trying to play with the big boys. For small environments and homes, however, it seems pretty great… as long as what you want is STORAGE and not all the extra stuff Synology and the like have grown into becoming.
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      152. Excellent review. Thank you. I would really be interesting to knowing what drive setup with RAID5 would be needed to saturate the 10b both for reads and writes. Your numbers are not that great with the drives you used. Could faster hard drives do it? Would SATA SSD’s do it and how many would be needed? I am not buying another NAS with 10g that will only do less than half the network capabilities. With this unit in particular, it really needs to have 10g file transfer capabilities.
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      153. Excellent review. Thank you. I would really be interesting to knowing what drive setup with RAID5 would be needed to saturate the 10b both for reads and writes. Your numbers are not that great with the drives you used. Could faster hard drives do it? Would SATA SSD’s do it and how many would be needed? I am not buying another NAS with 10g that will only do less than half the network capabilities. With this unit in particular, it really needs to have 10g file transfer capabilities.
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      154. A teeny tiny bit frustrated that I ordered a backplane mini-ITX case from AliExpress last month (and am still waiting on delivery) intending to build my homelab server/NAS for my Unifi stack then they announce this thing. Chances are it’ll be like the 2U PDU they make & stay out of stock for 10 months…
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      155. A teeny tiny bit frustrated that I ordered a backplane mini-ITX case from AliExpress last month (and am still waiting on delivery) intending to build my homelab server/NAS for my Unifi stack then they announce this thing. Chances are it’ll be like the 2U PDU they make & stay out of stock for 10 months…
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      156. GREAT video and I love that they have nailed the fundamentals. In your comparative videos, I suspect it’s going to be REALLY hard to find something in this price range that can even come close. (Find an off the shelf 7 bay NAS for $500?)
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      157. GREAT video and I love that they have nailed the fundamentals. In your comparative videos, I suspect it’s going to be REALLY hard to find something in this price range that can even come close. (Find an off the shelf 7 bay NAS for $500?)
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      158. 7:26 There is a secondary PSU. Uni does it using the Unifi RPS… That is Unifi’s redundant power supply device. Also if you are worried about noise then RACK MOUNT HARDWARE ISN’T FOR YOU! Only a little over 7 minutes and I already dislike this review.
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      159. 7:26 There is a secondary PSU. Uni does it using the Unifi RPS… That is Unifi’s redundant power supply device. Also if you are worried about noise then RACK MOUNT HARDWARE ISN’T FOR YOU! Only a little over 7 minutes and I already dislike this review.
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      160. Great comprehensive video. I absolutely love all things Ubiquity but I feel like I want to wait for another version or at least more apps. I have a Synology now and don’t even scratch the surface of the features available (including things like running docker images) but the one thing your video suggested is given the lack of use of file metadata I would certainly be missing some app features like the Synology photo app at least and probably video as well so I could look up pictures by person (facial recognition) or geo (show me my Aruba vacation pictures)

        I have wanted all things Uniquity on my network and maybe I just need to wait a few software and maybe even a hardware revision or 2. I feel like it may need more memory and CPU once and IF they start to add more app features.

        Also, I wish they would have done an M.2 drive slot at least for caching.
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      161. Great comprehensive video. I absolutely love all things Ubiquity but I feel like I want to wait for another version or at least more apps. I have a Synology now and don’t even scratch the surface of the features available (including things like running docker images) but the one thing your video suggested is given the lack of use of file metadata I would certainly be missing some app features like the Synology photo app at least and probably video as well so I could look up pictures by person (facial recognition) or geo (show me my Aruba vacation pictures)

        I have wanted all things Uniquity on my network and maybe I just need to wait a few software and maybe even a hardware revision or 2. I feel like it may need more memory and CPU once and IF they start to add more app features.

        Also, I wish they would have done an M.2 drive slot at least for caching.
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      162. What is your opinion regarding UNIfI selecting BTRFS for their filesystem? I see many video stating that BTRFS with RAID is not ready for production. This is a topic that I would love for you to expand in one of your future videos for the UNIFI nas.
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      163. What is your opinion regarding UNIfI selecting BTRFS for their filesystem? I see many video stating that BTRFS with RAID is not ready for production. This is a topic that I would love for you to expand in one of your future videos for the UNIFI nas.
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      164. If the unit included NFS, multiple volumes and mixed hard drive sizes . . . that would be then end of Synology for me.
        A luxury version with larger screen – summarising all the data at a glance would be a nice option.
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      165. If the unit included NFS, multiple volumes and mixed hard drive sizes . . . that would be then end of Synology for me.
        A luxury version with larger screen – summarising all the data at a glance would be a nice option.
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      166. I’m running a bare metal k8s cluster, so I really don’t need to be able to run docker containers on a nas. This is exactly what I wanted and at a great price. Ubiquiti nailed their first NAS outing
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      167. I’m running a bare metal k8s cluster, so I really don’t need to be able to run docker containers on a nas. This is exactly what I wanted and at a great price. Ubiquiti nailed their first NAS outing
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      168. Great video, this is almost exactly what I have been looking for, just need the ability to make immutable backups (WORM) which it sounds like you are expecting from them in the near future. Will be looking forward to your future videos.
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      169. Great video, this is almost exactly what I have been looking for, just need the ability to make immutable backups (WORM) which it sounds like you are expecting from them in the near future. Will be looking forward to your future videos.
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      170. 10:01 you’re forgetting that this is unifi’s “pro” line not “pro max”. “Pro” really just means rack mount entry level SMB for unifi devices. I wouldn’t expect dual 10Gb on the regular “pro” model.

        Now a “pro max” NAS I would expect to have NVME, more bays, dual 10Gb and a single 25Gb.
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      171. 10:01 you’re forgetting that this is unifi’s “pro” line not “pro max”. “Pro” really just means rack mount entry level SMB for unifi devices. I wouldn’t expect dual 10Gb on the regular “pro” model.

        Now a “pro max” NAS I would expect to have NVME, more bays, dual 10Gb and a single 25Gb.
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      172. I would be interested to know how the hardware compares to the Protect UNVRPro? But none of the reviews peek under the lid. Is it the same hardware but with more memory or is the more to it?
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      173. I would be interested to know how the hardware compares to the Protect UNVRPro? But none of the reviews peek under the lid. Is it the same hardware but with more memory or is the more to it?
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      174. Thinking if these do well they will come out with a ‘Max’ and ‘Enterprise’ editions.
        I’ve been looking at getting a Synology or building my own TrueNAS system for home. Now this came out, I have more research to do to see this will work for my home and families needs.
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      175. Thinking if these do well they will come out with a ‘Max’ and ‘Enterprise’ editions.
        I’ve been looking at getting a Synology or building my own TrueNAS system for home. Now this came out, I have more research to do to see this will work for my home and families needs.
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      176. Having already invested in Unifi gear (including a Pro switch with a spare SFP+ port) and already having a fairly beefy Proxmox host in play to host applications this seems like a great option!
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      177. Having already invested in Unifi gear (including a Pro switch with a spare SFP+ port) and already having a fairly beefy Proxmox host in play to host applications this seems like a great option!
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      178. It’s pretty clear their goal for this device is having basic file storage for users of a home/small business that are going to connect to shared folders on mac and windows systems. What a NAS by definition really is… I see a lot of people complaining about lack of redundant network ports, NFS, iSCSI, etc. IMO, I think all those features they’re wanting are things needed when you are building enterprise infrastructure and Ubiquiti knows that’s really best handled by a proper SAN product from the likes of Dell, HP, IBM, NetApp, etc.
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      179. It’s pretty clear their goal for this device is having basic file storage for users of a home/small business that are going to connect to shared folders on mac and windows systems. What a NAS by definition really is… I see a lot of people complaining about lack of redundant network ports, NFS, iSCSI, etc. IMO, I think all those features they’re wanting are things needed when you are building enterprise infrastructure and Ubiquiti knows that’s really best handled by a proper SAN product from the likes of Dell, HP, IBM, NetApp, etc.
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      180. 11:30 on my Synology rs3614rpxs, those read and write speeds are what I was getting with five hard drives, over a SPF+ DAC cable. When I switched to a LC om4 fiber SPF+ cable, I was achieving 750MBps or 7Gbps.
        Not sure why I’m getting better numbers from fiber cable over the copper cable. Both cables are rated 10gigabits per second
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      181. 11:30 on my Synology rs3614rpxs, those read and write speeds are what I was getting with five hard drives, over a SPF+ DAC cable. When I switched to a LC om4 fiber SPF+ cable, I was achieving 750MBps or 7Gbps.
        Not sure why I’m getting better numbers from fiber cable over the copper cable. Both cables are rated 10gigabits per second
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      182. This is just a NAS network attached storage only. Not able to complete to Synology, QNAP, UGreen, etc. at this time. Is this NAS going to support docker, plex, etc
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      183. This is just a NAS network attached storage only. Not able to complete to Synology, QNAP, UGreen, etc. at this time. Is this NAS going to support docker, plex, etc
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      184. Have you actually logged in via SSH and poked around the system? I’m curious what filesystem its running on those drives; given the feature set, it sounds like they are using btrfs.
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      185. Have you actually logged in via SSH and poked around the system? I’m curious what filesystem its running on those drives; given the feature set, it sounds like they are using btrfs.
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      186. Maybe I missed but is there any thermal test for this machine? The front design of those drive bay let me suspect it might have thermal issue once you use it for some years later.
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      187. Maybe I missed but is there any thermal test for this machine? The front design of those drive bay let me suspect it might have thermal issue once you use it for some years later.
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      188. Some what disappointed, this is just a software patch of the UNVR with a slightly more RAM. I’m sorry to say this but I’m not going to buy it, well not until an NVME slot, 1x 2.5 gbe lans and 2x 10 gbe SFP+
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      189. Some what disappointed, this is just a software patch of the UNVR with a slightly more RAM. I’m sorry to say this but I’m not going to buy it, well not until an NVME slot, 1x 2.5 gbe lans and 2x 10 gbe SFP+
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      190. Dude this is amazing how many people are now entering the consumer space. honestly if the software is stable and good like synologys and as a storage server this seems like a no brainer for a home user who doesn’t want to configure a lot.
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      191. Dude this is amazing how many people are now entering the consumer space. honestly if the software is stable and good like synologys and as a storage server this seems like a no brainer for a home user who doesn’t want to configure a lot.
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      192. A product like this is for a specific market and it’s not me. I prefer DIY… A used 12bay 2U server is about the same price but way more powerful and more versatile. I do like and use their networking hardware though.
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      193. A product like this is for a specific market and it’s not me. I prefer DIY… A used 12bay 2U server is about the same price but way more powerful and more versatile. I do like and use their networking hardware though.
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      194. Such a detailed review, thank you ???? It is a pity about Docker/VM/Plex support (or lack of!), but I understand why Ubi have focused on making just a NAS right now.

        Also re reply you made to another comment, I would love to watch the story of how you had to reshoot this video multiple times. Fair play to you on the patience.
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      195. Such a detailed review, thank you ???? It is a pity about Docker/VM/Plex support (or lack of!), but I understand why Ubi have focused on making just a NAS right now.

        Also re reply you made to another comment, I would love to watch the story of how you had to reshoot this video multiple times. Fair play to you on the patience.
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      196. disappointed in the power consumption. Granted being 7 bays at 500$ seems decent but my AIO server is a much better fit long term. I hope they continue to add to their offering.
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      197. disappointed in the power consumption. Granted being 7 bays at 500$ seems decent but my AIO server is a much better fit long term. I hope they continue to add to their offering.
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      198. Finally someone is throwing a bomb in the NAS market, $500 is CHEAP for a proper built system with solid software and hardware support from a company that is represented in the whole world.
        And those that shout “software”, that is something completely different, it takes way more resources to come up with comparable features that Synology has. If that is the need Synology have you covered at a high price with weak specs.
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      199. Finally someone is throwing a bomb in the NAS market, $500 is CHEAP for a proper built system with solid software and hardware support from a company that is represented in the whole world.
        And those that shout “software”, that is something completely different, it takes way more resources to come up with comparable features that Synology has. If that is the need Synology have you covered at a high price with weak specs.
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      200. I think it’s very nice to have a system that’s actually ONLY a NAS. I do use docker on my Synology devices at home and in the office. And the Synology backup between these two sites is so great that I wouldn’t be without it.

        But for something like an actual online disk system in the office, this fits the bill nicely at a much lower price. Also, as an on-site backup for the backup, this would do well.

        The only reason why this is the case is the price, of course. If it had been comparable to Synology, why would you ever get it? It’s nice to see someone hitting Synology with a price hammer, though. They’ve been getting a bit pricey over the years.
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      201. I think it’s very nice to have a system that’s actually ONLY a NAS. I do use docker on my Synology devices at home and in the office. And the Synology backup between these two sites is so great that I wouldn’t be without it.

        But for something like an actual online disk system in the office, this fits the bill nicely at a much lower price. Also, as an on-site backup for the backup, this would do well.

        The only reason why this is the case is the price, of course. If it had been comparable to Synology, why would you ever get it? It’s nice to see someone hitting Synology with a price hammer, though. They’ve been getting a bit pricey over the years.
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      202. I know you are looking for proxmox setups with the GMKtecK8 mini PC. Do one with the mini running proxmox and a vm like home assistance os (needs a vm) and another vm or proxmox container to run docker containers. The data or docker volumes are atore in the new Unifi nas using SMB (I hope one day it gets NFS)
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      203. I know you are looking for proxmox setups with the GMKtecK8 mini PC. Do one with the mini running proxmox and a vm like home assistance os (needs a vm) and another vm or proxmox container to run docker containers. The data or docker volumes are atore in the new Unifi nas using SMB (I hope one day it gets NFS)
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      204. I did have a question, understand you were able to put a large seagate hdd without issues. But don’t you usually need more ram when total storage size is much larger? If so is there a limit? For instance, if I fill all 7 bats with 24tb drives let’s say, is it capable of that? Or will the 8gb ram be an issue?

        Also if I put 3 drives inside, does it have the ability to add more drives as you go and expand your storage without wiping data from existing raid array?
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      205. I did have a question, understand you were able to put a large seagate hdd without issues. But don’t you usually need more ram when total storage size is much larger? If so is there a limit? For instance, if I fill all 7 bats with 24tb drives let’s say, is it capable of that? Or will the 8gb ram be an issue?

        Also if I put 3 drives inside, does it have the ability to add more drives as you go and expand your storage without wiping data from existing raid array?
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      206. Now I need ubiquity to make a 1U server that can run media apps like plex or any of its alternatives and make it for about $200 since rackmount chassis are about $200 on their own which is insane
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      207. Now I need ubiquity to make a 1U server that can run media apps like plex or any of its alternatives and make it for about $200 since rackmount chassis are about $200 on their own which is insane
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      208. No redundant replaceable power supplies or network , awful network options in general … sure feels like they left to much out for a Pro max / SE model later
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      209. No redundant replaceable power supplies or network , awful network options in general … sure feels like they left to much out for a Pro max / SE model later
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      210. Can you mix and match drives? On the nvr pro it made me use old 2tb drives because when I tried to put in 2x 10tb, 2x 8tb, and 2x 4tb, it wanted to only use 4tb of d ery drive.
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      211. Can you mix and match drives? On the nvr pro it made me use old 2tb drives because when I tried to put in 2x 10tb, 2x 8tb, and 2x 4tb, it wanted to only use 4tb of d ery drive.
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      212. My entire feed is now just tech tubers reviewing this device. I’m guessing they must have all been waiting for an embargo to end. I am, of course, watching this guys review because he’s THE MAN.
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      213. My entire feed is now just tech tubers reviewing this device. I’m guessing they must have all been waiting for an embargo to end. I am, of course, watching this guys review because he’s THE MAN.
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      214. I love your review. No shade on any of the other reviewers, but your review is geared more towards how “I” am looking to use a NAS for my work loads.
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      215. I love your review. No shade on any of the other reviewers, but your review is geared more towards how “I” am looking to use a NAS for my work loads.
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      216. It’s all a bit bizarre. Let me check…. yes, it’s definitely 2024. As always, beautiful interface, Ikea-style Unify minimalism, but NIC redundancy, no NVMe, single PSU, it’s all a bit drab. Can you run TrueNas on it ????
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      217. It’s all a bit bizarre. Let me check…. yes, it’s definitely 2024. As always, beautiful interface, Ikea-style Unify minimalism, but NIC redundancy, no NVMe, single PSU, it’s all a bit drab. Can you run TrueNas on it ????
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      218. Can be cool if those who dont have a server rack to be able to have Unifi Drive on a cloudkey g2 to have a small file storage without redundancy. Or even on the drive of a UDM.

        As they keep the UNVR frame, im assuming they will have a UNAS Enterprise as well with the UNVR Enterprise frame 🙂

        And no need apps on a NAS… its a NAS and not a server… I have Plex on my truenas and I regret not having it on my proxmox instead.

        I will for sure ditch my TrueNAS for UNAS and migrate my Plex on a VM
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      219. Can be cool if those who dont have a server rack to be able to have Unifi Drive on a cloudkey g2 to have a small file storage without redundancy. Or even on the drive of a UDM.

        As they keep the UNVR frame, im assuming they will have a UNAS Enterprise as well with the UNVR Enterprise frame 🙂

        And no need apps on a NAS… its a NAS and not a server… I have Plex on my truenas and I regret not having it on my proxmox instead.

        I will for sure ditch my TrueNAS for UNAS and migrate my Plex on a VM
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      220. This is the “beta” product. They will cut production quickly and check how many buyers, then renew the team that made it to continue with next unit. New unit will have slot-in PSU (regular server style) but still no backup, as they want to encourage purchase of the Ubiquiti UPS battery. Two SFP ports (depending on cost and users making use of 10G speed, could be one 10G and one 2.5G) and two RJ45 ports (probably regular 1Gbps or using the new 2.5G that throttles when hot). Likely one fewer drive bay. Newer CPU. More RAM. Double the price.
        Pro: all driver ports will be SATA/U.2 compatible, much more expensive CPU, possible socketed RAM slot (onboard or soldered 4GB or 8GB). Pro will be around 10x the price.
        Ubiquiti developer team isn’t huge, they will not support apps or VM until far future. Best you can hope is to SSH and attempt to install your own OS.
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      221. This is the “beta” product. They will cut production quickly and check how many buyers, then renew the team that made it to continue with next unit. New unit will have slot-in PSU (regular server style) but still no backup, as they want to encourage purchase of the Ubiquiti UPS battery. Two SFP ports (depending on cost and users making use of 10G speed, could be one 10G and one 2.5G) and two RJ45 ports (probably regular 1Gbps or using the new 2.5G that throttles when hot). Likely one fewer drive bay. Newer CPU. More RAM. Double the price.
        Pro: all driver ports will be SATA/U.2 compatible, much more expensive CPU, possible socketed RAM slot (onboard or soldered 4GB or 8GB). Pro will be around 10x the price.
        Ubiquiti developer team isn’t huge, they will not support apps or VM until far future. Best you can hope is to SSH and attempt to install your own OS.
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      222. The only thing I would have liked was for them to drop the RPS connection and put in dual hot-swappable power supplies. But I get it, they are using the existing hardware from the UNVR Pro so it takes much less effort to make one of these. I plan on getting two of these. One for my primary backups and then the second one for backups of my backups. I will use my current Synology NAS that I am currently using for backups as a Docker system running HA and Plex and move my backups from Synology to the Ubiquiti NAS.
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      223. The only thing I would have liked was for them to drop the RPS connection and put in dual hot-swappable power supplies. But I get it, they are using the existing hardware from the UNVR Pro so it takes much less effort to make one of these. I plan on getting two of these. One for my primary backups and then the second one for backups of my backups. I will use my current Synology NAS that I am currently using for backups as a Docker system running HA and Plex and move my backups from Synology to the Ubiquiti NAS.
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      224. I would buy this without hesitation if I could split data pools to have a 4 drive raid 1 nas as a data replication for my Synology, and a 3 bay raid 0 for unifi protect. To add to that, I would love love LOVE to also be able to use the drive bay in my UDM SE as an additional storage option for unifi protect. (I don’t need redundancy for my home cameras Ubiquiti, I just want as many days recorded as drives I have available).
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      225. I would buy this without hesitation if I could split data pools to have a 4 drive raid 1 nas as a data replication for my Synology, and a 3 bay raid 0 for unifi protect. To add to that, I would love love LOVE to also be able to use the drive bay in my UDM SE as an additional storage option for unifi protect. (I don’t need redundancy for my home cameras Ubiquiti, I just want as many days recorded as drives I have available).
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      226. This will save me a ton on having a NAS to backup my 1821+. My old 4 bay Synology died. So, I’m backing up one volume on my 1821+ to another volume on the same NAS, which obviously worries me. I can’t justify buying another 8 bay Synology, but I can justify this easily. As soon as it’s proven itself in production environments, I’m getting one.
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      227. This will save me a ton on having a NAS to backup my 1821+. My old 4 bay Synology died. So, I’m backing up one volume on my 1821+ to another volume on the same NAS, which obviously worries me. I can’t justify buying another 8 bay Synology, but I can justify this easily. As soon as it’s proven itself in production environments, I’m getting one.
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      228. I quite like the NAS and just NAS approach they took. I have separate machines for hypervisors to run VMs and containers on and like the separation. Two of these in a shadow mode active-passive fail over setup would be tits.
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      229. I quite like the NAS and just NAS approach they took. I have separate machines for hypervisors to run VMs and containers on and like the separation. Two of these in a shadow mode active-passive fail over setup would be tits.
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      230. I feel like you miss the point of the single PSU. Unifi devices all ahve a single PSU and they have a solution for it that connects to multiple devices and acts as a secondary psu for them. I do not know of any NAS or computer/server that people typically use at home that have duel psu’s.
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      231. I feel like you miss the point of the single PSU. Unifi devices all ahve a single PSU and they have a solution for it that connects to multiple devices and acts as a secondary psu for them. I do not know of any NAS or computer/server that people typically use at home that have duel psu’s.
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      232. Hopefully the firmware up-downgrade will be even easier than their other network devices, as they do sometimes release stinker of updates. Currently they broke many widely used IoT devices like shelly. It would probably be good for install-and-forget areas though.
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      233. Hopefully the firmware up-downgrade will be even easier than their other network devices, as they do sometimes release stinker of updates. Currently they broke many widely used IoT devices like shelly. It would probably be good for install-and-forget areas though.
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      234. WOW, excellent review, I have Unify network setup at home along with a QNAP NAS and heard on the grape vine that there may be a Unifi NAS released soon, and that price, you can’t go wrong… Can’t wait for future updates to see whether they include docker etc as I do like having the utils that QNAP provide. ????
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      235. WOW, excellent review, I have Unify network setup at home along with a QNAP NAS and heard on the grape vine that there may be a Unifi NAS released soon, and that price, you can’t go wrong… Can’t wait for future updates to see whether they include docker etc as I do like having the utils that QNAP provide. ????
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      236. For my Home Lab this is almost what I need. I have QNAP 8 bay ARM (~1000€) but it’s not rack mounted. But I also use ssd in raid 0 as a cache. And I have about double the ram. I really use it as SMB store so thats fine. I wanted so bad to replace my QNAP with this but it seems, it will just be a backup for QANP storage with speeds I see. UNAS Pro MAX would just need to have 2 NVME bays for CACHE, double SFP+ and give us the 12 bays and 3U. But who knows, maybe the UNAS Pro is enough for raw video editing of SMB and playing games with Steam?
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      237. For my Home Lab this is almost what I need. I have QNAP 8 bay ARM (~1000€) but it’s not rack mounted. But I also use ssd in raid 0 as a cache. And I have about double the ram. I really use it as SMB store so thats fine. I wanted so bad to replace my QNAP with this but it seems, it will just be a backup for QANP storage with speeds I see. UNAS Pro MAX would just need to have 2 NVME bays for CACHE, double SFP+ and give us the 12 bays and 3U. But who knows, maybe the UNAS Pro is enough for raw video editing of SMB and playing games with Steam?
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      238. All I need is my private dropbox, ability to back up family phones and view uploaded and edited videos from hols on TV and phone. Dont care about plex or dockers (what are these?:)Is that going to cut the mustard?
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      239. All I need is my private dropbox, ability to back up family phones and view uploaded and edited videos from hols on TV and phone. Dont care about plex or dockers (what are these?:)Is that going to cut the mustard?
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      240. Hey there! Finally it came to life, so many years! Now I’m glad I never did spend time on switching OS on a UNVR, that time is now _saved_.

        thoughts: It’s good that there’s no concept of pools. keep it this simple or it will just not fit into its very limited scope anymore.

        If I could, and if it would already support the right bits, I would put one in each access switch cabinet and use them as archival storage or similar. Not as team folder or anything they would suck at. but as a way to spread out tertiary storage. The price is right, the URPS connector is suitable, don’t need a second 10g port for that either. Integrate moosefs or similar at the same level of hands-off-no-choices setup and this would be nice[tm].

        I also would say the lack of WORM features is a pity. how well do they have that down in UNVR? it’s not a trivial feature to implement to any non-laughable level of reliability.
        Given the price point, I’d even ejnoy a toggle switch that makes the whole device read-only and can only be cancelled at the front panel. Fill it, lock it.
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      241. Hey there! Finally it came to life, so many years! Now I’m glad I never did spend time on switching OS on a UNVR, that time is now _saved_.

        thoughts: It’s good that there’s no concept of pools. keep it this simple or it will just not fit into its very limited scope anymore.

        If I could, and if it would already support the right bits, I would put one in each access switch cabinet and use them as archival storage or similar. Not as team folder or anything they would suck at. but as a way to spread out tertiary storage. The price is right, the URPS connector is suitable, don’t need a second 10g port for that either. Integrate moosefs or similar at the same level of hands-off-no-choices setup and this would be nice[tm].

        I also would say the lack of WORM features is a pity. how well do they have that down in UNVR? it’s not a trivial feature to implement to any non-laughable level of reliability.
        Given the price point, I’d even ejnoy a toggle switch that makes the whole device read-only and can only be cancelled at the front panel. Fill it, lock it.
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      242. Kinda a bummer, i was holding out building something for myself. Sure Not having plex is a bummer butttttttt…. Not allowing Unifi Protect to be used on the NAS is a deal breaker….
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      243. Kinda a bummer, i was holding out building something for myself. Sure Not having plex is a bummer butttttttt…. Not allowing Unifi Protect to be used on the NAS is a deal breaker….
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      244. Good review.

        I’ve a question about user management and “directory integration”. Does it mean that instead of creating local users in this NAS, if I’ve a MS AD server on ny network, I can assign rights for some network users on some directories ?
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      245. Good review.

        I’ve a question about user management and “directory integration”. Does it mean that instead of creating local users in this NAS, if I’ve a MS AD server on ny network, I can assign rights for some network users on some directories ?
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      246. Thanks for really nice video!
        When sharing a folder, you can add a user. What user is this? Is this something that you create on your machine?
        And how does the remote login for it look?

        I’m currently using Nextcloud on Truenas to share large video files. All my friends and clients have a personal login where they view/download/reshare the media. I’m curious if I can replicate this with the UNAS.

        Also, when you preview/stream remotely a video file does it transcode? If yes, does it also do h265? Sorry for the interrogation 😛 It’s just it can be a dealbreaker or dream for me depending on the answer.
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      247. Thanks for really nice video!
        When sharing a folder, you can add a user. What user is this? Is this something that you create on your machine?
        And how does the remote login for it look?

        I’m currently using Nextcloud on Truenas to share large video files. All my friends and clients have a personal login where they view/download/reshare the media. I’m curious if I can replicate this with the UNAS.

        Also, when you preview/stream remotely a video file does it transcode? If yes, does it also do h265? Sorry for the interrogation 😛 It’s just it can be a dealbreaker or dream for me depending on the answer.
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      248. For the price, this is great! I usually have my Plex server and VMs and stuff on another machine anyway. Seems pretty desirable to split the two so you have some redundancy.
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      249. For the price, this is great! I usually have my Plex server and VMs and stuff on another machine anyway. Seems pretty desirable to split the two so you have some redundancy.
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      250. Nice start, but not a homerun.

        Give it:

        More cores/threads (n305)
        Replacable RAM
        NVME storage
        Usb ports
        Alligned front drives, not this masonry pattern

        I’d like to run docker and apps like photobackup, torrent, jellyfin, home assistant.

        Happy to pay twice the price
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      251. Got it, this is intended to be mostly a pure NAS not a compute and app platform. For the cost that is a great value prop for SMB. They currently seem to have more interest in nailing the NAS basics rather than trying to run any and all docker apps. This seems ok. woah, directory integration, hope they extend that to the whole control plane and not charge a subscription for that.
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      252. Given Ubiquiti’s history of never delivering promised features on new devices before they reach EOL, I’ll wait to see if they actually deliver the app that simplifies mounting of drives for end users before I decided to make a purchase… I’m over here having “Security Scanning Radio, SHD-AP” flashbacks…
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      253. Great video, lots of details thanks! One question, can you mix and match different HDD sizes? As someone who hacked unvr to NAS, I have installed 4 disks which automatically turned on raid 5. Is this the same case with UNAS PRO?
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      254. Kind of limited to me but I can see this being great for a lot of people, especially those already using Ubiquity equipment and/or who might be on the fence about buying Synology. Kind of refreshing to see a ‘pure’ NAS though as someone who still believes in separating storage and compute.
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      255. Great video! will be using your link to purchase one.
        I currently have a TrueNAS box that has 9 drives in it but going to scale down to 7 drives anyways to save power consumption (yes for me it does make that big of a difference). That is the biggest thing for me… when my NAS is at idle it is 90-100w and reading/ writing heavy it is 160-200 w. I don’t do docker or anything like that on my NAS, I have another machine for that. I just need something efficient and that will do the storage thing well, and it will match my other Unifi equipment…. lol
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      256. I actually like that it’s not a Synology or QNAP. I can’t stand how those brands are trying to turn their NAS into a Swiss army knife. I don’t need my NAS to be a VM host, run Docker containers, host OpenOffice, Nextcloud, Home Assistant, act as a DNS or DHCP server, or provide LDAP, etc. I hve proxmox clusters, DC servers, and Routers that already do all of that. I need my NAS to do one thing, and one thing only—store stuff. And that’s exactly what this does. It’s a no-frills solution for straightforward storage.

        That said, Ubiquiti has a bad reputation for exciting the world with new products then abandoning thrm 9 months to a year after release and leaving a bunch of early adopters with useless doorstops after they stop supporting it (ask me how i know), so I think I’ll hold off buying one until its been around for a while but it looks like a great jumping point for a platform. as it seems to be based off the UNVR Pro, I imagine the UNVR and UNVR Enterprise will eventually join the ecosystem as the UNAS and UNAS Enterprise so well see. lot of potential here.
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      257. For simple business NAS this is probably more than adequate but anyone who wants a server like Synology/QNAP or something more advanced like Unraid won’t be interested in this at all. What would be cool is if they launched a 4U rack mount case with tons of hot swappable drive bays so we could build what the client (or Prosumers) wants.

        I have a 90TB Unraid server in a desktop style ATX case. There are not many rack mount cases that work great imo other than those massive LTT style servers they build (forgot the companys name) but they don’t just sell the case.
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      258. If it can do storage and permissions better then unraid/truenas then I could care less about vm/docker support. Proxmox does vms better and docker is just better on a dedicated machine
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      259. I’ve got multiple Synology’s in my house, and I love them. I also have a full Unifi setup. I’d love to try transitioning to one of these in the future, but I’m going to wait until the software gets a little more polished, and some more features get added. But $500 for a 7 bay rack mountable NAS is a great price!
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      260. It’s surprising to see the same hardware as the NVR Pro, running Drive but doesn’t support Protect. If you combined the NVR and NAS into a single product line, eliminating the need to purchase and manage two separate sets of drives, I’d be ready to purchase it, even with the current software limitations. Over the past few years, Synology has been scaling back on features while continuing to charge a premium for hardware that is outdated. It’s hard to justify paying top dollar for a NAS that still ships with generations old CPU and 1Gb Ethernet. Unfortunately, UniFi’s solution doesn’t seem to be quite there yet either. I had high hopes that UniFi was going to get me out of the Synology downward spiral.
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      261. What’s the underlying file system, BTRFS? No NFS 3 or NFS 4.1? No iSCSI LUN and target support? Upgradeable memory? Does it deliver data fast enough for 4K streaming (Plex) running on a connected device? Does seem disappointing compared to Synology.
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      262. I don’t understand the connectivity/single PSU complaints. The thing’s 500 bucks. It’s got SFP+. This is 100% a repurposed NVR, and fit for purpose at a frankly insane price. Great for storing your jellyfin library and similar workloads. Don’t ask it to do stuff it wasn’t designed for.
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      263. I really like this product. Most home users these days want a “NAS” but really they want a home server that runs a lot of different services and stores files for their network and they think their NAS is supposed be that device. I appreciate that this device goes back to being what a NAS was originally intended to be and seems targeted perfectly to the small business and home business market.
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      264. I’m not sure if it supports dynamic expansion, such as adding more hard drives later like SHR, or flexibly expanding by replacing one hard drive with a larger capacity. After all, not everyone is a professional who would spend a large amount of money to buy all the hard drives at once.
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      265. You mentioned it’s quiet and I’ve heard the same from other reviewers. What HDDs were you using when you put the mic on it? It sounded just like my UNVR, which is very quiet. I can’t get over how quiet these Unifi devices are compared to my Synology with Ironwolf drives, which I can hear 2 rooms away.
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      266. I’m not terribly impressed with the documentation on the website as it doesn’t cover what the back plane and system support. is it all SATA3 6Gb or does it also support SAS 12Gb? yes there’s only one 10Gb port BUT the fewer drives you need to saturate that bandwidth the more drives you can allocate for redundancy if you aren’t just looking to maximize storage volume. Despite my grump there, the price alone makes this device appealing and thanks for the video!
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      267. @liamfoneill We have to wait for the UNAS Pro Max for NVME M.2 drive support!! 😛 😀 🙂
        It’s also worth noting 1 PSU isn’t a big deal, it has a connection (from what I see from your pictures) for an RPS.
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      268. this NAS is a good machine for back-ups over the network
        the only think I want to know is what if the unit fails (mobo/PSU) can I remove the drives and move them to another unit and have the data?
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      269. Needs to have SFP+ for me to leave synology 2.5Gbps. I am very happy with synology software ecosystem (drive, photos, audio, video, VM Manager). I can’t leave that either.
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      270. I’m wondering if the storage can be increased by adding more drives without destroying the data already there. Say you set it up in RAID6 with 4 drives and then add 3 more, do you have to wipe the array and start over or is there a way to expand the storage without losing the data already there? 7 disk bays, 10 gig and an easy to manage interface for $500 seems like a crazy good deal if you don’t want to hassle with a DIY job (which I’ve done and hate).

        Edit: LOL should have finished watching the vid first
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      271. Cheap is not good. There could have been a bit more hardware and software for a 20% higher price.
        It’s just a data repository with a fancy interface, there’s still a lot to do. I have UGreen NAS as an EA, it could do more than NAS when it came out and it’s not more expensive. For the little that the UNAS can do (lack of synchronization between PC and MAC, no NFS and iSCSI, no M.2 NVMe) you don’t need a “special” interface. And the worst thing for me is that I have 7 disks and I can’t set them up in different storage pools.
        Is the video also available in slow mode? Many of the interfaces are hard to recognize and the video is extremely hectic.
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      272. Great Video thanks. I’ve been waiting for something like this since I turned off my Power hungry Apple 1U Servers and huge Apple RAIDs and bought a Qnap, which I have hated for years. All I want is mountable storage , easy to use, no faffing about, couldn’t care less about Apps and Containers and real hot swappable storage. Gonna get one for sure.
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      273. give us Max version: x86 platform at least 4/8 core, nfs+iscsi, 4x NICs /2+2 10G/, nvme storage, wasabi+backblaze backup target, native apps or dockers. will happily pay 899+ EUR any day.
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      274. I guess the price reflect the features. But you can use it for Protect archiving recently released. I guess you have UDMP with protect and archive to this or the cloud. The cpu and memory on this are slim because it can’t run any other apps but it’s good for shuffling files. Also the Microsoft / Google account integrations for identity enterprise could be a big feature for businesses.
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      275. I was excited until I discovered it does not have NFS or iSCSI, as I consider those services a fundamental requirement for even an entry-level NAS. I’d also love to see an NVMe RW/RO cache option.

        I’d have instantly given UI my money if it had iSCSI, NFS, NVMe cache, and dual 10GB SFP+.

        I guess those will come as a PRO MAX version 😛
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      276. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a great video on this system. I felt your review was very honest and unbiased. I totally agree on your Pro’s and Con’s and for me, I think the ‘current state’ of this unit is underwhelming for my needs. Maybe if they release another unit that will allow third party software, unifi surveillance integration, a better CPU, and memory upgrades. BTW. I’m almost all in on the Unifi ecosystem although I do have a QNAP and Synology NAS.
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      277. Well there goes my hope of not having to wait for synology. So you think if we dont get a synology announcement by first week of Nov no release again this year? I dont see how they would miss the holiday buying period. Unless their plan is to sell old NAS on black friday and release the new one right after and really p everyone off.
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      278. The “Create a UI account” really seems to be disingenuous on UniFi’s part. Not being at all familiar with Unify, I would just think that it’s the normal user name and password to login locally to the desktop *User Interface* and not an online account. Unify could have been far clearer about this but I suspect that a fair number of people would have blindly proceeded with setting up the UI account which is what they are counting on. And, to put that in perspective, think back to your review of HexOS and the really solid push back by those who did not want an online login. I don’t like to do business with anyone who runs their business like that. No thanks.
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      279. Synology is the only NAS brand where I think their software adds value beyond being a storage server. But if I’m being honest, over time as I’ve migrated most of my docker/VM services over to Proxmox or XCP-ng and have very little running on the Synology hardware itself.
        I could see myself being interested in exploring Unifi as a storage server in the future, but I’d need a higher performance version.
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      280. Defiantly going to pick one of these up. Don’t give a hoot about the docker side, that’s why I have servers. I want a storage NAS that does just that, store things and get data to the right users, I don’t want to host my docker apps from it as well. Great video thanks for the review!
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      281. Is it even possible to saturate a 10G connection with spinning disks? Other than that, i assume this is meant to be connected to an SFP+ aggregator (USW-Aggregation) switch to split between multiple storage units
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      282. A silent rackmount NAS is what I was searching for! Other rack mount NAS are too loud! I do not need docker, because I have docker on my Proxmox computer.
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      283. This device is the beginning . It’s affordable and it’s easy to use.

        If it catches on, you bet you’re bippy, more will come.

        I’ve got four Synology unit in use between my family members and they are great but … I would love something that just efficiently stores data.

        It also appears that it may easily, allow safe direct remote access.

        I’ll have to watch how things go before I would purchase.
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      284. So I see some real good here; one, Unifi has a track record of software upgrades, so I fully expect items like NFS/ISCSI. I do not in any way expect Plex, Docker, etc. and I shouldn’t – that isn’t who this product is aimed at. Two, the remote management through the UI account management system is a potential IT godsend in comparison to the way that this works in Synology. Three, I do like the snapshop methodology in comparison to the way that this functions in synology. Now, the biggest items I see that will be big is that it fits directly into the UI ecosphere, and that is good. Now, I can see a lot of room for improvement, but I can see where this can have a big future with some of the integration options this is going to have. I do like how this is a business ready product that isn’t moving to drives that are made by them and nothing else (screw you Synology on that one)
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      285. Soooooo ugly. I like Unifi, have a lot of their hardware. But just can’t understand why 7 drives? Why layout is so strange? Just… why? Can’t they just stack two 4-drives cases?
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      286. Thanks for the review, well done and thorough. Not surprised to see no availability for Docker at this point. At the price point, this is great for fire storage. It’s not HA or high-speed system, which is fine. There are other players for that type of equipment. It appears that UI gave us a purpose-built system that does one thing really well, at a price that is hard to not smile at.
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      287. This looks like a decent start – funnily enough while eating my bacon, egg and black pudding (and watching this video), I got the email from Ubiquiti titled “Welcome to Unifi Drive and UNAS Pro” (1134hrs EDT). As others have commented though, I won’t be swapping my DS920+ for the UNAS Pro. I do have a Ubiquiti network setup, so was very excited when I saw your video this morning. As always – great video and thanks for taking the time to post!
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      288. I am… underwhelmed.
        I was not expecting perfection, but… it lacks so much to be an instant buy. But yeah, it’s truly cheap (especially for Unifi) for a 2U 7 drive bay (which is really something) and would play nice into the ecosystem. But… no ZFS, no NFS, no iSCSI, no docker (because let’s be honest, even if purists say that a NAS should be just a NAS, but… it makes sense to have those hosts a few docker).

        I know Unifi makes update, albeit slowly.. but.. at the moment it’s not worth it. But 500 euros… it’s super interesting when they started adding features.
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      289. First galance. Where does the air flow come from to cool the drives. As not much air is going to get around those solid caddie faces. As a rackmount. Its supposed to have front to back airflow. The almost solid front panel raises questions.

        The network ports have one up and one pointing down is an odd design choice. Not to mention being in the front.
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      290. This is just a pure NAS. Nothing more. I mean, yea. But at the same time it does not go up against things like Unraid or Truenas. Even OMV has more functions. For what this is, it is about $200 more then it should be for what you get. I was really looking forward to this to replace my Unraid server, but damn.
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      291. I’d consider going with a Unifi Nas, but I don’t want rack-mount (5 bays would be great) and I’d like to see more configuration options. Docker support would be (really) nice.
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      292. I’m disappointed in the backup options on this nas. Let’s be honest, no one will be backing up their 7 drives of data to Google Drive. That would be a insane cost. So this device doesn’t have a real, usable cloud backup that you can use. It doesn’t also have USB backup, so to backup this device you need to… get another NAS. Because you haven’t payed enough just yet.

        I do agree it’s a good value target for a synology backup.
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      293. The device feels like the perfect unit for low cost offsite backup storage. Easy to lock away in a comms rack and you wont saturate the write speeds over the wire.
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      294. This is an superb video !

        You really know your stuff and you really gave us an insight into the product, what it can and can’t do with lots of visual showing of it
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      295. This looks really interesting to me. My big question though, what if you get more than 1 of these? Say I expand and need more than 7 drives, could I buy a second unit and have the pools merge between the 2? Because that would be cool. Also seeing performance stats of SATA SSD’s would be nice too!
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      296. people complaining about the features for a $499 NAS drive from Ubiquiti, common guys .wait for next more expensive version will probably have all those missing features.
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      297. what a disappointment, only 1gib network port. I would have liked it to have another sturdy switch, depending on the equipment, at least 1/2.5/5gib network connector.
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      298. The demand was a bit manic. I missed the official announcement but guess it was today. Interesting there is only 1 of each network connection but let me watch the video
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      299. This seems interesting and I might even pull the trigger. It would be nice to have a single pane of glass to manage everything and not to have to worry about Synology and the lack of 3rd party device support. I mean from a NAS perspective it literally does just that and anything else can be added later.

        Also, do we know anything about the file system or did I miss it in the video? Is it BTRFS or EXT4?

        Also, more information about the backups would be awesome! Like is this sort of like hyper backup?
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      300. Great and very timely review Thanks! Did I understand you correctly, can you uses different sized drives in the raid array (like Synology Hybrid raid) or do all drives the array need to be the same size?
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      301. I have nevered owned a NAS…just an OWC Thunderbay 4 nut need a NAS u now. So now that this item is released I’m wondering whether for my first NAS I should still stick to getting the Synology DS1522+ as a SOLO videographer and editor using 10TB per year?
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      302. Genuinely worried about this as ive been using a UNVR Pro for a while as a nas using SSH to install samba. I hope they dont artificially block people using the UNVR Pro now that there is an official NAS offering
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      303. They could’ve gone with an Intel N100 or N200 which would’ve been so much better, even if they tack on an added $100-200 dollars to the price tag, unfortunately I’ll not be considering it. It’s nice tho, maybe they’ll release something with an Intel/AMD chip in the future…
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      304. It’s one strange NAS.
        Strange layout. Strange software. Strange hardware. Thermals are dubious. Rackable but lacking features standard for rack hw such as modular redundant PSUs.
        Good for undemanding brand fanboys only.
        When b- and c-tier brands and even nonames have started pumping out decent NAS devices, seeing such a device from a respectable brand is utterly perplexing. I’d love to get into the product development team’s heads and learn their thought processes that led to the appearance of this bucktoothed inbred monstrosity…
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      305. Phenomenal review and THANK YOU for the well labeled chapter marks in the video. Wanted to jump around to just my highest importance spots first in the video before watching end to end.
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      306. I think you hit it on the head at the end Robbie. I’m defo going to be replacing my onsite backup ext. drives with one of these (going by how stuff sells out on their site though, that’s probably going to be around 4/3 2025!). But it won’t be replacing the Synology for day to day work stuff that’s for sure.
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      307. So is this the unvr but with new software. How are the temps.. 70?? . Can it transcode .. sorry soo excited, disappointed and confused at the same time by this nas
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      308. Their thinking on the 1G port is probably to use that on a management network for config management and use the 10G for data only. At least that’s usually how appliances set up like that are intended to be used. Would be nice to have more ports for flexibility though if you’re trying to do something like directly attaching vm hosts.
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      309. Looks like your last video comments for opening CCTV and NAS has been addressed? I have just purchased the UCG_Max (F*kn brilliant!) and adopted 2 ONVIF camera (out of 3 in my setup) Awesome! And now I can also bin my sh!ty Google Doorbell and get the G4 doorbell! Oh.. and a Unify NAS? I hope i can connect that extra storage to my UCG Max!
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      310. Absolutely loving mine running TrueNAS Scale 24.02.2 and I have a jail where I run my things in docker. It’s a mean machine and handles anything for plex especially now that plex has fixed the single CPU thread transcoding for subtitle burn in!
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      311. I purchased this machine. I will install 48 terabytes of HDD in the F-424 Pro. With 32 gigabytes of RAM, what is the optimum SSD capacity recommended to enable the best performance from the NAS?
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      312. Great review mate thanks ????????

        Keen to know how the T2E works – does it allow your PC or Mac to have a different IP address than the NAS box even though it’ll share the same physical LAN port?
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      313. I think the “redundancy” feature needs revision; replace it with minimum and maximum number of drives and a tick box if it needs to be an even count for raid 1 or 10.
        When I enter redundancy “1” it just gives me large single drives which is no redundancy, (I actually want raid 1 or raid 10, but a single drive is wrong even for raid 5)
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      314. HI and thank you for a great channel. Really informative.
        I am in the market to replace my old QNAP NAS with something beefier and more responsive. I have been looking at different solutions and am now considering either:
        1) QNAP TVS H-874 with the i7 or i9 Processor and 10gb network. Quite expensive, but compact and easy switch from my old QNAP
        2) QNAP TS-H1277axu-rp which seems very interesting. Performance, Noise, value for money compared to the H874? (Rack mount may work fine with my Unifi UDM-PRO rack setup.
        3) Build a TrueNas solution with beefy hardware, which is cheaper than a turnkey, but how much hazzle, and how good performance can you expect? Do not want to spend too much time maintaining the solution AND need a proper image/video search engine built in as there are 1mill+ files stored.
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      315. So it appears the add-in thunderbolt 4 card model number is printed on it as QXP-T42P (which lines up with their Thunderbolt 3 card naming, QXP-T32P). Have you heard any rumors as to when they might start selling this separately or if the tvs-hX74 (non-T) will work with other aftermarket cards? I purchased a non-thunderbolt model because I currently don’t have a need it, but I’d like the see if there will be future flexibility in being able to add it later as say a one-cable expansion, or if I relocate the nas unit to a place near a pc that might have it in the future, etc.

        On a completely different note, re:10gbe nic’s I found that the generic intel 540-t2 (10g/2.5g/1g/100m; w/ sr-iov) seem to work straight out of the box in the hX74 unit, likely due to QNAP previous sold nics using that chipset. These seem to be an alternate way of adding 10gbe to the unit. I do though wish qnap’s 10gbe nics with the 2 nvme expansion locations used a chipset with sr-iov suport for the ethernet portion, but that might be an issue where its not possible for some particular technical reason.

        I additionally went into looking to add a a 4 nvme expansion card but as they lock the chipset options screen in the bios, I couldn’t see if it supports bifurcation (to be able to split the 4×16 to 4 4×4) or not. I tested this with a Sabrent card and only the first of the 4 drives registered as present in the system. Perhaps it would require one of the more expensive cards that also performs the switching (all of this may lead to the non-intel nic w/ nvme lcoations as that one might also provide the needed switching <-complete guess, I have no idea). That said I think those cards may need their own drivers/software loaded and who knows if that is a simple or complicated task.
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      316. Need some help here. Looking to trash my WD My Cloud Home Duo and get a Terramaster F4-424 pro or synology. Mostly used for multimedia and IOS backups. What would you recommend….desperately seeking direction here
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      317. 10:26 I would say it may be a question of pearls before swine. Could a N300 Celeron-class really handle a full 10G with 4 Sata drives & Nvme drives or would it bottleneck long before? If it was at least a Core i3 (or even a Pentium from the same generation) I would be a lot more sanguine.
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      318. Take this with a grain of salt, but a live chat person on the Terramaster web site said that using the plex app you can watch media over the HDMI interface.
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      319. Привет дорогой друг! Подскажи, он действительно менее шумный, чем другие террамастер? Интересует, заглушает ли он шум дисков?
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      320. Thank you for the information!
        I have a question after reviewing it.
        I have:

        1. Synology DS-920+ NAS with four 4TB HDDs (currently in use).
        2. TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro NAS (new).
        3. Four 8TB HDDs (new).

        And I have an idea:
        To replace one by one all four disks in the Synology DS-920+ NAS with the new 8TB ones.
        After that, take the old four 4TB disks from the Synology DS-920+ NAS and install them in the new TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro NAS, first disabling the boot from USB in the BIOS and setting it to boot from HDD.

        QUESTION:
        Do you think it’s possible to use DSM 7.2 on the new TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro in this way?
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      321. While it is 3 months later and the QNAP TVS-h874T is a very nice bit of kit, the entry level price is eye watering. The UGreen 6 and 8 bay models have Thunderbolt, Core i5, 10GbE and just cost ~$600 and ~$900 USD respectively (if available in your area).
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      322. I bought a beestation last week and let me tell you its simple and easy to use! No fuss no muss and i was up and backing up all my desktops in the house within minutes!
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      323. Can you recommend me a NAS or DAS that allow me to host a website and allow me to access the website publicly? Does it have a built in DDNS to access the website or I have to sign up a with a 3rd party Free DDNS?
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      324. The lack o a SSD in the NAS isn’t the real reason that the system slows down when too many people are trying to access it. NAS machines have existed for decades prior to the invention of Solid State Drives. The real issue is the speed of the hard drive itself. Probably also the computer hardware inside.
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      325. This calculator is USELESS. The “Best” it shows me is actually more expensive than the items I already have in my Amazon cart. 14TB drives for $180, NAS-only or not. I have some $100 Non-NAS drives 14TB & some NAS ones for $120. There’s no reason for that
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      326. Hello, Thank you for the review, but i was curious about can it split to 4 1TB for 4 users to access? or is there other way to invite user then limit the stroage space
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      327. YouTube hasn’t been updating me of your new videos. I had to search you out to make sure you still existed! Not sure what’s going on with Google doing that to you.
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      328. If one has any interest in a NAS I would highly recommend getting a NAS with removable storage. When this fails and it will fail and have no understanding about how to get it working again which is not easy. It’s a waste of money you could have put money into a two bay. Under constant power it will fail in 3 to 5 years so never use it as a backup for important files. It’s best use case is to swap files between computers or for short term storage of unimportant files.
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      329. It would be really useful if there was an accounting app/ software company that could develop the cloud access features so that you could host your own remote access accounting system and avoid the costs imposed by the likes of QuickBooks, Xero and others who are bound to raise their prices once MTD for Income Tax/Corporation Tax is required in the UK
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      330. I’ve watched your other videos on this product. What I’m still wondering (before I finish this video) is what happens if this unit is destroyed or stolen, is there another backup option, or is this beestation the only place that all your data lives?
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      331. Im curious how is the hdmi out put looks like? Just a command prompt? No gui? I never use nas before but. Can we access the nas like pc anywhere/team viewer? Where u can access the nas from primary computer and orginize the files between nas drives and you can turn off the primary computer and leave the nas to finish copy/moving files between the drives?
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      332. They’ve definitely stepped up their design game over the past 12-months, their 9-12 boxes look ???????? unfortunately though, both main contender-brands (TerraMaster and ASUSTOR) have failed to pay attention at the higher end, which is, people want PCIe and other slots..
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      333. I’m torn on waiting for this to become widely available in the UK (Amazon say they sell it but they don’t) or get the regular F4-424. I would like to use it to watch 4K video to a TV and massive backups. Nothing more than that. No other streaming, no surveillance, no web server stuff, etc, maybe some Docker stuff later on but for now just back up and watching videos.

        Should I wait or get the regular version which is available right now? Will the lower CPU and Memory matter?
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      334. I enjoyed this review. The problem now with this and other NAS drives is the price that HDD’s have reached to put inside them. HDD’s have now become ridiculously expensive. Will they ever come back down in price. Even external desktop expansion drive prices have gone through the roof.
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      335. Is this version quieter than the previous F4-423 model? I have one for almost a year now, using it with TrueNAS, so there is no fan-speed control and I think it is a bit too loud for my taste. Also, the full metal chassis is just resonating with the drives sometimes. I would be happy to switch to one of the newer versions if I knew that it would be quieter than the current one.

        Also, can that one big fan cool down 4 “normal” disks? I mean, the non-Exos/non-datacenter, simple NAS drives like Ironwolf or Red series.

        32GB RAM is not an issue with that chip. Intel has been playing this game for a while now when they handicap these lower-end chips with arbitrary limitations (like the 1 DIMM channel only…), but the supported memory configuration on the Ark site is such a joke sometimes… Even the older N5095/N5105 chips were able to handle 2*16GB RAM, while the Ark page states the max supported memory size is 16GB. I have an i7-1360P mini PC at home, originally the Ark page stated that the max memory config is 32GB, but it later got updated to 96GB (I have a 2*48GB config in it, and it works like a charm…). I also have an N100 machine at home, which handles a 48GB DIMM, and it has the same memory controller as the N300/305. Heck, dmidecode reports that even 64GB is supported, although as far as I know, there are no 64GB DDR5 SODIMM modules available as of now, so we will see some time in the future.

        Also, I found it quite interesting when you said that it would be good to see their solution instead of VirtualBox. While I hate that software, I would love to see a NAS software that leverages popular open-source solutions. Like for example, every brand has its own Docker app. But why? I had a Synology NAS, and that docker interface is horrible IMHO. So they spend a bunch of resources to develop something, that could be entirely replaced by simply pre-installing Portainer with Docker. It is an open-source, well-known solution, that is miles better than anything that I have ever seen on any NAS. But this way, they had to develop it, and now they have to maintain and support it, which uses a bunch of resources instead of simply using something popular with a good reputation. I don’t think that Portainer is the only docker UI that should exist, but even if someone has other preferences, they would still probably agree that it is way better than any one of the “custom” NAS solutions.
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      336. Raises the customer’s hardware expectations . . .
        Will new products from Synology have more powerful processors and 10 Gbe adaptive network connection?
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      337. Very nice review of this unit. I picked one up from the Amazon link. I have heard a lot of people say not to use the m.2 for caching but instead to setup one or both of the m.2 slots with drives for running the TOS and applications. If I did that, then what setup would you suggest? One or two m.2 drives? What size drive(s)?
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      338. I been thinking i purchase one to run my home lab, proxmox with truenas, home assistant, and other things.. i think would work fine right? That way i can remove my old qnap and my nuc and replace with just onde device..

        The only downside i can find is number of usb ports, i will need to had a hub, to connect my 3d printer and ZigBee dongle.

        I don’t think i can diy a nas with same hardware for the same money.. Or i am wrong?
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      339. I seriously hate all the bloat and BS that is included and ENFORCED by default with QNAP NAS’s these days, which means it *can* take upwards of 10 minutes to shutdown, reboot and boot back up to a useable system.
        The Terramaster NAS’s I’ve used so far, have been lightening fast in use, but is severely crippled by crap software. Local backup -> USB always fails. There’s no way to have logs emailed. ISCSI backup is flakey.
        I terms of the N300 CPU, it’s only listed as supporting 16GB DDR5 so that particular CPU doesn’t take market share away from Intel’s other low end CPU’s.
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      340. Great review as always. Agree with you on the 10Gbe omission…. Whilst talking about new releases, do you have any info/predictions for the Ugreen nas? Thanks Rob.
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      341. Does it support ECC? I know it officially doesn’t but sometimes they unofficially support it.

        Also just because the CPU doesn’t officially support 32GB, it doesn’t mean it won’t work reliably. Because it could just be a soft limitation.
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      342. i think for the normal nas home user 10gbe isn’t important and the overwhelming majority won’t have 2.5 gbe either. I know nobody I know uses it at the moment. I think for people running some high end network it might be a big deal. I think for most people it’s an after thought. I don’t think most people want to buy all new gear, switches, routers or whatever at like triple the cost to get those speeds.
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      343. Had one delivered last week. Runs unRAID perfectly! 4x12TB spinning rust plus a couple of 512GB NVMe for cache.

        Very happy with this after downsizing from a Fractal R5.

        Gonna see if I can get a couple of heatsink shims on the SSD, as they can get a little toasty at times when downloading saturates the broadband link (1 gigabit).
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      344. 4 HDDs? In 2024. Really??? ????????‍♀️????????‍♀️????????‍♀️. What nonsense. And for those who don’t understand why it is nonsense, please refrain from commenting back. Thanks.
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      345. Great review! Do you think Synology will release a 4 bay NAS with equivalent CPU’s in 2024? I’m looking at getting my first NAS (mainly for Plex) but I’m put off by the old CPU’s Synology rocks at the moment. The F4-424 looks pretty strong for Plex – I’m not sure if it’s potentially overkill for 4k remux etc…
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      346. Hoping that Terramaster release an 8 bay version (F8-424 Pro?) with 64GB of RAM support. Together with the dual NVMe slots – this would be an ideal box for my uses (unRAID).
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      347. I would like Robbie to add a piece in EVERY NAS product review in the future. Immediately before the ‘Review Verdict & Conclusion’ section, what are the close peers to the NAS being reviewed. That is, if you like the specs of this NAS, also look at ‘these models’ from ‘these manufacturers’.
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      348. It would be interesting to know if they still have an internal USB Drive for the NAS Software installation, like the previous models. That can open the door to alternative NAS OS like TrueNAS Scale. The Hardware looks decent. The memory recommendation from Intel does not mean that 32GByte ran unstabilly. I ran my SandyBridge Intel i7 Mac for 7 years with 16GByte, and 8GByte was officially supported by Intel. No problem at all! Just a better performance.
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      349. Great review
        Still don’t get the no hdmi out.
        I disagree on the 32gb ram, I am 100% sure that is going to be fine…
        Yes 730€ here in monkey land Spain is way too much and sadly as soon as qnap or synology releases theirs (because they will have to) it will be double that price.
        Finally 30:31 Holy crap my heart skipped a beat when you bumped your whole NAS pyramid on the desk. ????
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      350. I have to say that I encounter the problem of your reviews beeing to good. I thought about getting this and now that you said that Qnap (that i dont get because of security) would let me start a virtual machine using the HDMI (what i wanted to do with this Terramaster) I’m angry once again, because the system is almost perfect besides this point.
        I just want a NAS that i can hook up to my TV to maybe play some SNES emulator or old games on it. I would like a OS that doesnt tell me that my HDDs are about to fail after 2 years (hello synology), forces me to use their own SDDs (synology again) or is a security risk to get hacked and host my movies on the internet from my IP (QNAP). I mean i could deal with the extra price on the SSD and ignore the HDD warning on a Synology, but they dont have the HDMI port and the slow connection makes SSDs pointles. So i guess i wait a bit longer to see if terramaster rolls out a “HDMI Gui” or hope that synology releases a product that doesnt have limits from the start to indirecly force to be willing to upgrade to the next model?

        But well… i still respect Terramaster for this release and hope that QNAP gets their security done to force Synology out of their comport zone.
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      351. trying to justify the extra cost coming from a x72xt system. it seems that the bottleneck is still 10gbe or the 10gbe thunderbolt over ip. speeds I’ve seen the 874t do are about the same as what im getting with a x72xt system. am i missing something here?

        im not transcoding or anything just serving file for video editing.
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      352. I see you put the system install on the RAID 5 with four HHD. I heard that it is best to install the system onto the NVMe drive. Is this true? I put mine on a RAID 1 on the internal M.2 PCIe NVMe slots but would rather have that space for PC to NAS and NAS to PC file accessing if you think I can just use any pool.
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      353. Great video, I love the NAS. I had a question. With this system, what is the best use of the on board NVME drives? I mainly use my TVS-1282 as a Plex device now. I also have a GPU installed that helps with 4k. Would there be any big benefit to using a GPU in this NAS or is that even possible without removing the installed thunderbolt 4 card? Thanks for any help you can offer and please continue making these videos ????
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      354. I am replacing a server acting as a DC for a school / nursery and I don’t want to pay windows licences, so I ended up with a Synology DS1621+ to act as a DC and file server. 6 bays is enough, but i cannot really see the need to spend £4k unless you run multiple VMs ( i spent £860 for the box and a 140 quid to upgrade the ram and add 2x NVMEs ). i run 2 windows VMs and a couple of dockers on it without issues, just don’t see how the cost is justified.
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      355. yeah well, you could also buy a real server with this money and put in one of those mellanox connect-x 4 25 gbps card in. cards/modules/om3 optic cables are very afforable these days. especially compared to this nas, and then you have a proper real server.
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      356. One major issue is that Qnap has yet to adopt to AFP, in my world, I add fast nvme formatted to AFP to use maximum speed, just to realize that I can’t connect that media straight to the NAS and use HBS3, instead I have to have my MacX as a go between. Adopting to afp and USB-C at HBS3 one-click port would solve a lot of issues and future proofing the workflow.
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      357. After watching a previous video, I bought the h874 ( non – T model ). I run a Windows VM that is up 24/7 . When running a VM like this, is it possible and/or advisable to run the VM off an SSD to keep down the wear and tear on the HDD’s ?
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      358. We now have a few of this QNAP model, we opted for the i7 version as the i9 version was needing special-order and thus more time to arrive. We also opted for the non-TB4 version as in our applications, 10GBe is sufficient at the moment.
        Plus TB4 has a few drawbacks; cable-length is rather limited (3 metres) unless you go for the really expensive optical cables.
        Plus with the TB implementation, the QNAP’s really act (almost) as if they are DAS-attached. Whilst that is not really a big issue unless you are using more TB-enabled hardware, than the order(!) of how you daisy-chain the TB-enabled devices becomes really important! (spoiler alert: often you will need to attach the NAS as the last one in the chain)
        I strongly recommend to get a try-and-buy before you opt for the TB-option if that fits your own TB application.
        BTW, the reason the heatsinks are not that big is the fact you do not need bigger heatsinks as one should only(!) put a heatsink on the controller-chip of your SSD’s, not on the flash-chips themselves.
        Yes, a TB4 cable should be included but never has been with any TB itterations of QNAP (we have them all, there were never TB cables included). But then TB cables are not that expensive, you do not need the super-duper extremely expensive Apple version (for example). There are several video’s on YT testing and comparing cheap & expensive TB cables, made no difference. Same goes for HDMI cables, it is digital signals, it often comes down to the quality of the cable and/or connectors.
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      359. Can somebody please help me.
        I have a QNAP NAS with 4 x 10TB SG IronWolf + a 500GB M.2 (cache) in a raid 6.
        Sometimes drive performance seems to be quite slow (< 30MBytes per sec) If I add 1 or 2 HDDs (nas max is 6 HDDs + 2 M.2s) will it improve, reduce or not effect performance? Thanks <3
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      360. If you really wanted the best price of course you would buy used. But I get that there is no affiliate income in that suggestion. So I’ll just say it here.
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      361. I think your videos and reviews are excellent, and the hard drive pricing comparison tool looks very useful (thank you), BUT, I was staggered when I visited the nascompares website and opened the Vendor Preferences section of the cookies permissions…more than 1500 (yes, one thousand five hundred !!!) “Legitimate Interest” and other cookie permissions which seemingly can only be turned off (or activated, if that’s what the website visitor wants to do) MANUALLY. Yes, it took a looong time. Please, just provide a simple and all-encompassing “Reject All” option in cookie preferences. Cookies should be (IMO) opt-in. not ‘gotcha’.
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      362. Do you have a video on different ways to migrate to a new NAS with same/different bays. Maybe you could add to the tool a migration option that can calculate the least number of drives / steps required e.g. go from raid 5 to raid 1 larger drives and then reuse the raid 5 drives once migrated. Hopefully this makes sense. What do people do with old working drives?
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      363. @NASCompares
        I hope you will be able and willing to answer my question. I have a DS218+ with 2 8TB seagate iron wolf harddrives. I want to have an upgrade so I’m buying a DS420+ nas and 2 18TB seagate iron wolf harddrives. My plan is to replace my 2bay synology to the new 4bay synology and I want to know if I can just put the 2 8TB drives into the new synology and then also add the 2 new 18TB drive in bay 3 and 4..

        I want all of them to be configured with SHR and the 2 8TB drives are already in SHR. According to the synology website (the nas RAID calculater) it tells me that with my setup (2x 8Tb and 2x 18TB) I should get 32TB available space and 16TB Protection.

        So.. can I just take the 2 older 8TB drives (in SHR) out of my 2bay synology and put them together with the 2 18Tb drives into the new 4 bay synology without losing my data or without having to figure out a way to transfer the data off the drives first.. I do not have the external drive space to temporary store 8Tb worth of data. I don’t really care all that much about any settings from my old nas, all I want is to keep all my own data safe when transferring to the new nas.
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      364. What’s better for the NAS HDD’s health: keep the NAS running all the time, or turn it on only when needed?
        I use it maybe 3 times per week, for about 4 hours each time.
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      365. Looks a bit messy on iPad. Be nice to have a mobile version of the tool so it’s easier to use. Maybe you could follow in Money Saving Expert footsteps and creat a dedicated app for your site
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      366. Didn’t quite think things through enough when I ordered drives for my first NAS. Had to decide between Synology IronWolf, and WD Red (not Pro or Plus). Ended up going with the standard Red based on some reviews that weren’t quite… complete. So now I have a drive that isn’t officially supported and for a reason I still don’t quite understand is just worse in the long run than the IronWolf. All of this because I wanted to save 15€
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      367. No offense to the work you’ve put in on this tool, but none of your calculators have ever worked for me. Disabling ad blocker and different browsers, just doesn’t work. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. ????????‍♂
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      368. Thank you guys!!! Anestis from Greece here, just got my first NAS, a Qnap 464, thanks to your recommendations for 4bay Nas and now trying to decide what kind of hard drives to buy. I need a lot of space (50tb to 60tb) usable space in RAID5 and the cost is very high. Do you think that Ultrastar series is suitable for my case? I’m going to use my NAS for multimedia library and PC backup mainly. THANKS AGAIN for your great articles and useful videos!!!
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      369. It would be great if you did the same for shucked drives. Many Synology users use them. Frankly, I have one server with (7) 14TB drives and another with (6) and not a peep about them for over two years so far. Still healthy. ????
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      370. Nice tool!
        Thanks Eddie! (and Robbie, of course)
        And that in the weekend! Wow.
        Even Though it is not (yet?) including my region, still quite useful.
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      371. Ty for this. I have a ext4 shr2 raid in synology, and am considering getting a newer model and using that to switch from ext4 to btrfs… I wish there was an easy way to switch between ext4 and btrfs without new drives… but I may just expand my drive sizes at the same time as transitioning from ext4.
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