Week 37 Tech Digest – Thunderbolt 5, AI NAS, ZFS Upgrades, SSD Innovations & Wi-Fi 7 Breakthroughs

This week’s roundup brings a sweeping overview of the latest developments in NAS hardware, SSD technology, AI-powered infrastructure, and networking. Highlights include OWC’s Thunderbolt 5 dock with dual 10GbE, MINISFORUM’s award-winning N5 Pro AI NAS, and a wave of powerful new NAS systems from QNAP and ASUSTOR. NETGEAR and ASUS rolled out Wi-Fi 7 routers and access points, while Raspberry Pi launched a $70 1TB SSD targeting DIY storage enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the enterprise flash market saw significant movement with SK hynix’s 321-layer NAND, Phison’s delayed PCIe 5.0 controller, and FADU’s PCIe 6.0 breakthrough. Other key stories include software upgrades from Unraid, QNAP, and UniFi Protect, plus a renewed spotlight on Synology’s HDD policy and SSD data loss concerns in Japan. Whether you’re a homelab builder, IT admin, or content creator, this digest captures the innovations and debates shaping the future of digital storage and networking.

 

OWC Launches Thunderbolt 5 Dock with Dual 10GbE Networking

 

Other World Computing (OWC) has unveiled its first Thunderbolt 5 dock featuring dual 10GbE ports, redefining professional workflows in content creation, NAS access, and high-throughput storage environments. Designed with media professionals in mind, the dock includes three Thunderbolt 5 ports, four 10Gbps USB-A ports, a 2.5GbE port, and supports 20Gbps link aggregation via the 10GbE pair. This allows users to directly connect to NAS systems like the OWC Jellyfish or other high-speed servers without PCIe upgrades. The fanless aluminum design ensures silent operation, while video output extends to three 8K displays or dual 6K monitors. The dock empowers mobile editors and high-speed local workflows, especially where portability and bandwidth converge.

Source: OWC

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MINISFORUM N5 Pro Wins AI Storage Innovation Award at IFA 2025

 

At IFA 2025, MINISFORUM earned the AI Storage Technology Innovation Award for its N5 Pro NAS, a compact edge-AI device that merges storage with high-performance inference capabilities. Powered by a cutting-edge Ryzen AI processor with up to 80 TOPS of performance, the N5 Pro supports ECC memory, PCIe Gen 4, and fast NVMe storage. It runs MinisCloud OS, integrating AI-powered media sorting, smart surveillance, and local language models—all without cloud dependency. With a sleek slide-out drive bay design and built-in software for Docker, VM hosting, and AI photo indexing, the N5 Pro positions itself as a hybrid between workstation and AI NAS.

Source: MINISFORUM

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NETGEAR Orbi RBE373 Brings Wi-Fi 7 Mesh to Mainstream Homes

 

NETGEAR has expanded its mesh portfolio with the Orbi RBE373, a streamlined dual-band Wi-Fi 7 system offering up to 3.6Gbps throughput and 4,500 sq. ft. coverage. Designed for homes and small offices, this mesh kit supports up to 70 devices, multi-link operation (MLO), and includes 2.5Gbps LAN/WAN ports. It integrates NETGEAR Armor cybersecurity, works with the Orbi mobile app, and is backward compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E devices. Offering a balance of price and performance, the RBE373 is a compelling option for users seeking next-gen wireless speed for 4K streaming, gaming, and IoT-heavy households without jumping to a tri-band setup.

Source: NETGEAR

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NETGEAR WAX610W: Wall-Mount Wi-Fi 6 Access Point for Enterprise Spaces

 

NETGEAR has launched the WAX610W, a compact wall-mounted Wi-Fi 6 access point ideal for hotels, MDUs, and educational deployments. With support for 1.8 Gbps throughput, four LAN ports, and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), the WAX610W simplifies installation in dense environments. Managed via NETGEAR Insight, it supports features like WPA3, VLAN tagging, and multi-SSID support for enterprise use. The design emphasizes aesthetics and practicality, blending into wall plates or room installations while maintaining strong radio coverage. Its small footprint and advanced wireless management tools make it a powerful solution for expanding reliable, secure Wi-Fi in multi-room spaces.

Source: NETGEAR

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NETGEAR Launches Its Most Compact Wall-Mount AP Yet

 

Alongside the WAX610W, NETGEAR has introduced its smallest wall-mount Wi-Fi access point to date, built for discreet deployment in modern digital workspaces. Designed for high-density locations, the AP supports bidirectional MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and enhanced roaming—offering strong performance in areas with many simultaneously connected devices. With a focus on plug-and-play simplicity and enterprise security, it expands NETGEAR’s presence in the managed wireless access market. This AP is particularly well-suited for hospitality and MDU rollouts, thanks to its unobtrusive form factor and integrated LAN ports.

Source: NETGEAR

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OneXPlayer Debuts OneXGPU eGPU with Mini SSD and Dubious “USB 5.0” Label

 

OneXPlayer has announced the OneXGPU Lite, an external GPU enclosure boasting an AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT and a custom Biwin 2TB mini SSD with up to 3,700 MB/s read speeds. However, the product drew criticism for being advertised with “USB 5.0” branding—despite no official standard under that name. Industry consensus suggests the device uses USB4 v2.0 (80 Gbps). Compatible with handheld gaming PCs and laptops, the OneXGPU Lite supports Thunderbolt 4 fallback and includes an SD card reader and DisplayPort output. While hardware specs impress, the marketing misstep has raised concerns about branding accuracy and future compatibility.

Source: OneXPlayer

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Ubiquiti Launches UNVR Instant: Affordable PoE NVR for UniFi Protect

 

Ubiquiti has launched the UNVR Instant, a compact, all-in-one network video recorder priced at $199, aimed at home and small business users. It includes a 6-port PoE switch, HDMI output, and room for a 3.5” HDD. The device supports up to 8 2K or 6 4K cameras, runs UniFi Protect, and offers centralized monitoring without subscription fees. With optional bundles including cameras and storage, the UNVR Instant offers a plug-and-play alternative to complex surveillance setups. Integrated remote access and easy setup via the UniFi app make this NVR ideal for DIY installations.

Source: Ubiquiti

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Promise Technology Unveils Pegasus5 Thunderbolt 5 NVMe RAID Systems

 

Promise Technology showcased the Pegasus5 series at IBC 2025, a lineup of Thunderbolt 5 RAID storage systems designed for media professionals and AI users. Featuring native NVMe SSD support, the Pegasus5 offers models like the M8, N4, and R12 Pro, delivering ultra-fast I/O for 8K video editing, real-time rendering, and collaborative production workflows. Built-in features include FileBoost™ team sharing, RAID acceleration, and native integration with Adobe Creative Cloud. The systems support daisy chaining, 8K display passthrough, and up to 80Gbps bandwidth, setting a new benchmark for high-performance desktop RAID.

Source: Promise Technology

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iStorage Launches 30TB diskAshur DT3: Secure Desktop Drive with FIPS Encryption

 

iStorage has launched the diskAshur DT3, the world’s first 30TB hardware-encrypted desktop HDD, offering FIPS 140-3 Level 3 pending certification, AES-XTS 256-bit encryption, and full PIN-based access. With support for read-only modes, self-destruct sequences, and Common Criteria EAL5+ security, the DT3 is aimed at government, defense, finance, and high-compliance environments. Available in sizes from 4TB to 30TB, it features USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectivity and includes both desktop and enterprise management utilities. This drive solidifies iStorage’s position in the growing market for high-capacity secure external storage.

Source: iStorage

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ASUSTOR Refreshes AS67 Series with v2 Models: Now with 5GbE and PCIe Expansion

 

ASUSTOR has updated its popular AS67 series with the release of the AS6702T v2, AS6704T v2, and AS6706T v2 models. Each system features an Intel Celeron N5105, DDR4 memory, and support for M.2 NVMe SSD caching. New additions include dual 5GbE LAN ports, optional 10GbE PCIe card support (on 4- and 6-bay models), and enhanced MyArchive cold storage bays. These NAS devices are optimized for Plex media servers, Docker containers, and RAID 6/10 configurations, offering strong performance for prosumers and small office deployments.

Source: ASUSTOR

QNAP Showcases AI-Ready NAS Lineup at IBC 2025

 

QNAP made a substantial impression at IBC 2025, unveiling its next-generation AI + media-focused NAS systems for creative, surveillance, and edge applications. Flagship models included the TVS-AIh1688ATX, an AI-enhanced desktop NAS with a 13 TOPS NPU, Thunderbolt 5, and 8-bay hybrid storage. Other standouts were the TDS-h2489FU R2 (all-flash U.2 with dual Xeon CPUs) and the TS-h1090FU (EPYC-powered 1U NVMe server). Complementing the systems were high-speed network adapters, 100GbE switches, and USB4 accessories. QNAP’s direction is clear: high-performance, ZFS-backed storage with native AI indexing, remote production, and 8K video pipeline optimization.

Source: QNAP

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QNAP Launches TS-h2477AXU-RP: Ryzen 7000, ZFS, PCIe 5 and DDR5

 

The TS-h2477AXU-RP is QNAP’s latest enterprise-class ZFS NAS, featuring AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs, DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5 expansion, and support for QuTS hero OS. This 24-bay 2U system targets media studios, VM infrastructure, and post-production environments. With integrated 10GbE and 2.5GbE, support for M.2 NVMe SSDs, and ZFS benefits like deduplication, inline compression, and snapshots, it’s optimized for petabyte-scale deployments. QNAP positions this model as a successor to legacy Xeon-based rack units, offering next-gen performance at a more competitive power profile.

Source: QNAP

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QNAP TS-h1655XeU-RP: Short-Depth ZFS Rackmount for Edge Deployments

 

Designed for space-constrained deployments, QNAP’s new TS-h1655XeU-RP is a 3U short-depth NAS powered by an Intel Atom C5125 processor. It supports hybrid SSD configurations with M.2 NVMe and E1.S, making it ideal for edge caching, remote production, and AI inference offloading. Despite its compact form, the unit supports ZFS, redundant power, and 2.5/10GbE networking, along with PCIe expansion. This unit reflects QNAP’s commitment to high-density edge servers that maintain ZFS resilience and modular upgradeability for small-to-medium business use cases.

Source: QNAP

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QNAP China Unveils Qu805, Qu605, Qu405 NAS: Compact Desktop Powerhouses

 

Exclusive to the Chinese domestic market, QNAP has launched the Qu805, Qu605, and Qu405 NAS units—desktop systems powered by Intel N355 8-core CPUs and 16GB DDR5 RAM. Each unit features between 4 and 8 SATA bays, dual 2.5GbE LAN, and dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots for cache or fast pools. While lacking PCIe, they support both QTS and QuTS hero operating systems and target prosumer and SMB users. With USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI, and passive cooling, these NAS units prioritize silent operation and efficient media access for users needing affordable performance.

Source: QNAP China

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QNAP QM2-2S-220A Brings SSD Caching to Legacy NAS Units

 

The QM2-2S-220A is QNAP’s latest dual M.2 SATA SSD PCIe expansion card, allowing legacy QNAP NAS units to gain SSD caching, Qtier auto-tiering, or additional storage pools. It uses a PCIe Gen2 x2 interface, supports real-time thermal monitoring, and includes a heatsink/fan combo for stable operation. The card is compatible with numerous tower and rackmount NAS devices, enabling extended lifespan and performance boosts without drive bay loss. Ideal for users running HDD-only configurations who want to speed up performance affordably.

Source: QNAP

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TrueNAS SCALE 25.10 “Goldeye” BETA Adds NVMe-oF and GPU Support

 

iXsystems has launched the TrueNAS 25.10 “Goldeye” BETA, introducing features like NVMe-over-Fabrics (TCP/RDMA), support for NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, a versioned JSON-RPC 2.0 API, and Petabyte Hypervisor concepts for virtualized deployments. Also included are updates to ZFS 2.3.3, ARC optimizations, and a more refined Web Installer experience. New functionality allows app migration across pools, SMB multichannel, and improved dashboard UX. This marks a significant step forward in aligning TrueNAS SCALE with hybrid infrastructure, ZFS-based AI acceleration, and edge VM hosting.

Source: TrueNAS

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QNAP QNA-UC25G2SF Wins Red Dot 2025 for USB4 to 25GbE Adapter

 

QNAP has received the 2025 Red Dot Product Design Award for the QNA-UC25G2SF, a compact USB4 to dual 25GbE SFP28 adapter built for creators and professionals needing high-speed networking without PCIe slots. The aluminum chassis offers fanless cooling, cross-platform compatibility (Windows, Linux), and support for QNAP’s SMB Multichannel. Perfect for 8K editing workflows, cloud synchronization, or NAS backup tasks, the QNA-UC25G2SF will be showcased at Taiwan’s Red Dot Design Museum through Q4 2025.

Source: QNAP

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QNAP QHora Routers Add Free Intrusion Prevention (IPS) Security

 

QNAP’s QHora router lineup now includes Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) capability at no additional cost. This software update enhances ransomware defense, DPI-based traffic monitoring, and threat detection without requiring paid licenses. The QHora routers already offered SD-WAN, VPN, and centralized management, and this latest feature brings them closer to enterprise firewall territory. By embedding Suricata-based scanning, QNAP positions its router line as a cost-effective option for SMBs and remote offices demanding advanced cybersecurity tools.

Source: QNAP

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QSAN Technology Launches XN1 Tower NAS for SMB Backup and Media

 

QSAN has launched the XN1 Series, a line of desktop NAS units featuring Intel Celeron processors, dual 2.5GbE, and support for RAID 0/1/5/6/10. The units come with a modern web UI and QSAN’s QSM 4.0 OS, offering snapshot backup, virtualization integration, and easy volume management. These NAS models are designed for SOHO and SMB markets, offering up to 6 drive bays, SSD caching, and AES encryption. With a compact form factor and quiet cooling design, the XN1 is QSAN’s push into the entry-level NAS segment against Synology and QNAP alternatives.

Source: QSAN

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EnGenius Enters Server Market with Intel Xeon 6 Rackmount Solutions

 

Known for networking gear, EnGenius has entered the data center server market with a new series of rackmount systems powered by Intel Xeon 6 CPUs. The servers offer support for DDR5 ECC RAM, modular hot-swap bays, and native 25/100GbE networking—targeting MSPs, ISPs, and media firms needing affordable alternatives to Dell or Supermicro. With a focus on vertical integration, EnGenius aims to offer a full stack: switches, wireless, and compute infrastructure, with tools for remote management and scalable AI compute.

Source: EnGenius

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SilverStone Launches TS434U: 4-Bay 10Gbps USB-C Hot-Swap Enclosure

 

SilverStone has released the TS434U, a 4-bay SATA enclosure featuring USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-C connectivity and individual drive power controls. Targeted at creators, backup professionals, and NAS overflow use, it supports up to 18TB per drive, UASP acceleration, and features fan-assisted cooling with a lockable tray design. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering tool-less installation and simultaneous access to all drives—ideal for offline cold storage rotation or fast-access scratch disks.

Source: SilverStone

 

UGREEN Showcases Charging + AI NAS Ecosystem at IFA 2025

 

At IFA 2025, UGREEN unveiled a comprehensive lineup of next-gen AI-powered NAS systems and fast-charging accessories, highlighting its shift from accessories to full-fledged smart infrastructure. Updated NASync models featured UGOS Pro OS, enhanced Jellyfin/Docker/VM support, and new AI indexing features such as local image tagging and object recognition. UGREEN also demonstrated GaN Prime chargers, multi-device docks, and USB4 enclosures optimized for 40 Gbps data transfer. The ecosystem emphasizes privacy-first automation, with 2FA, IP/MAC blocking, and container isolation built-in. These additions mark UGREEN’s aggressive entry into the AI-at-the-edge and home cloud segments.

Source: UGREEN

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Raspberry Pi Launches 1TB SSD for $70

 

Raspberry Pi Ltd. has released the Raspberry Pi SSD 1TB, a compact and affordable external drive designed to complement the Raspberry Pi 5 and similar devices. Priced at just $70, it uses USB 3.2 Gen 2, supports up to 1,000 MB/s, and includes TRIM, SMART, and UASP support. Its firmware is optimized for Pi OS booting and full-disk installs, making it a reliable option for media servers, IoT, and portable NAS-style projects. Small, fanless, and bus-powered, the SSD reinforces Raspberry Pi’s position in providing cost-effective, modular computing solutions for educators, developers, and home lab enthusiasts.

Source: Raspberry Pi

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Enterprise SSD Revenue Up 12.7% in Q2 2025 Due to AI and Servers

 

New market data shows enterprise SSD revenue grew 12.7% QoQ in Q2 2025, driven by AI data center demand, LLM deployment, and high-performance NVMe storage adoption. Vendors like Micron, Samsung, and Kioxia benefited from hyperscaler orders for PCIe Gen 5 and U.2/U.3 drives used in AI clusters, surveillance storage, and virtualized environments. Market analysts project continued growth into H2 as PCIe 6.0 products roll out and low-latency, high-endurance SSDs become essential for inference and edge storage. Flash prices remain stable, but enterprise-class margins are improving thanks to AI-focused hardware refresh cycles.

Source: TrendForce

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Samsung 9100 PRO 8TB NVMe SSD Now Available for Pre-Order

 

Samsung has opened pre-orders for the 9100 PRO, an 8TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD designed for professional content creators, workstation users, and heavy data applications. Offering up to 7,000 MB/s read and 6,500 MB/s write, it includes a dedicated DRAM cache, TLC NAND, and hardware encryption. With a write endurance of 5 DWPD and strong thermal controls, the drive competes with Seagate’s FireCuda 540 and WD Black SN850X in the premium performance segment. It’s a strong option for 4K/8K editing, AI data wrangling, and high-speed caching.

Source: Samsung

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QNAP Officially Launches QVR Recording Vault for Surveillance Backup

 

QNAP has officially released QVR Recording Vault 1.0, a free backup tool for video surveillance footage across QTS and QuTS hero NAS. Initially in beta, this license-free solution now supports QVR Surveillance, enabling users to archive streams, enforce long-term retention policies, and automate multi-tier video backups. Integrated indexing improves playback and search, especially for environments needing regulatory compliance. Ideal for schools, offices, or large-scale camera deployments, this addition bolsters QNAP’s surveillance ecosystem without requiring QVR Pro or Elite licenses.

Source: QNAP

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Kodi 22 “Piers” Alpha 1 Released with Media Playback & PVR Upgrades

 

Team Kodi has released Kodi 22 “Piers” Alpha 1, a major developer preview introducing enhancements across media playback, PVR, and game emulation. Key additions include Blu-ray multi-episode support, movie version tagging, new FFmpeg 7 integration, and improved game controller support. The update also introduces LXC support on Linux, ARM64 Windows builds, and PVR timer customization. Kodi 22 aims to further integrate hybrid media libraries with advanced visuals and metadata management while pushing toward modular streaming backends. Caution is advised for users testing this unstable release.

Source: Kodi

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Unraid Launches Developer Bounty Program for API Expansion

 

Unraid has introduced its API Feature Bounty Program, encouraging developers to build and improve the platform’s JSON-RPC 2.0 API in return for financial rewards. The focus includes enhanced container control, identity integration (OAuth2/OIDC), and remote CLI tooling. This initiative reinforces Unraid’s open-source evolution, particularly in home labs and automation-heavy environments. It also supports external plugin devs by defining modular, reusable endpoints for backup, VM control, and system metrics. Users can vote on bounty priorities, ensuring community alignment.

Source: Unraid

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QNAP Qsirch AI File Search Tool Now Free for All NAS Users

 

QNAP has made its Qsirch Premium AI file search suite fully free for all supported QTS/QuTS NAS systems. Previously a paid feature, Qsirch offers full-text file indexing, document previews, AI image classification, and email search. The upcoming Qsirch 6.0 version will support retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and compatibility with LLMs like DeepSeek, Gemma, and others. The change positions QNAP as a leader in AI-enhanced NAS user experiences, giving SMB and home users advanced search capabilities previously limited to enterprise ecosystems.

Source: QNAP

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Phison Delays PCIe 5.0 E28 Controller Due to Firmware Challenges

 

Phison Electronics has announced a delay in its PS5026-E28 PCIe 5.0 SSD controller, citing ongoing firmware and validation issues. Originally expected in late 2025, the controller was set to deliver 14 GB/s read speeds and support up to 16TB drives with TLC or QLC NAND. The delay affects multiple SSD OEMs and consumer product timelines. Phison is refocusing efforts on stable deployment of Gen5 enterprise-class solutions and finalizing support for its current E26 and E31T controllers.

Source: Phison

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Phison Investigation Finds No Reproducible SSD Failures in Japan

 

Following concerns about SSD data loss after a Windows update in Japan, Phison has completed its investigation and found no reproducible faults with its hardware or firmware. Affected drives reportedly used modified or third-party firmware, and Phison has emphasized the importance of sourcing firmware only from authorized partners. The clarification comes after regional sales disruptions and widespread speculation, which has now been largely resolved within the OEM and VAR ecosystem.

Source: Phison

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Windows Update Triggers SSD Filesystem Corruption in Japan

 

Multiple Japanese forums and service centers have reported that a recent Windows 11 update caused filesystem-level corruption on select SSDs. The issue appears to be tied to NTFS journaling and is triggered on systems with fast startup enabled. Affected drives enter read-only mode or exhibit serious performance drops. Microsoft has not yet formally acknowledged the bug. Users are advised to disable fast startup and perform disk checks with care. This event has raised renewed awareness around firmware compatibility and data integrity practices on consumer SSDs.

Source: Microsoft

 

FADU Sierra FC6161 PCIe 6.0 SSD Controller Debuts with 512TB+ Support

 

FADU has unveiled the Sierra FC6161, its next-gen PCIe 6.0 SSD controller, offering up to 28.5 GB/s bandwidth, 2 million IOPS, and support for up to 512TB total capacity. Targeting enterprise and hyperscale storage, the FC6161 leverages ZNS (Zoned Namespace), SR-IOV, and NVMe 2.0, enabling greater parallelism and resource isolation. Designed on a TSMC 7nm node, the controller is optimized for QLC and future PLC NAND, with power efficiency suitable for disaggregated storage clusters and AI/ML inferencing workloads. It positions FADU as a serious competitor to Phison and Marvell in the high-performance SSD controller market.

Source: FADU

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SK hynix Begins Mass Production of 321-Layer QLC NAND

 

SK hynix has commenced mass production of 321-layer QLC NAND flash, making it the densest commercially available NAND to date. Manufactured using the 4D NAND architecture, the new chips deliver up to 8TB per die and are aimed at client SSDs, high-capacity USB storage, and AI data lakes. With improvements in power efficiency, write performance, and stacking density, SK hynix is looking to challenge Micron and Samsung in next-gen SSD design. The shift to ultra-high layer counts also supports vertical scaling for PCIe 5/6 and U.2/U.3 platforms.

Source: SK hynix

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SK hynix Confirms 8TB Per-Chip from 321L QLC NAND Flash

 

In a follow-up report, SK hynix confirmed that its 321-layer QLC flash achieves 8TB per chip using advanced charge trap cell structures and hybrid bonding techniques. The company highlighted applications in edge AI storage, ultra-thin portable SSDs, and high-density NAS environments. Samples are already shipping to OEM partners for integration into PCIe Gen5/Gen6 SSDs, and the roadmap includes even higher layer stacking by 2026. This development supports broader industry trends toward fewer chips per module, simplifying controller design and reducing BOM costs.

Source: SK hynix

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ProGrade Digital Releases 16TB USB4 SSD for Professional Media Workflows

 

ProGrade Digital has introduced its largest external SSD to date — a 16TB USB4 Pro SSD, targeting photographers, cinematographers, and media production studios. The drive delivers up to 3,000 MB/s read and write speeds, uses a USB4 40Gbps interface, and supports bus-powered operation. It features robust thermal management via an aluminum enclosure and includes hardware encryption, write protection switches, and compatibility across macOS, Windows, and Linux. Designed to handle 8K RAW footage and multi-cam editing, this SSD is ideal for demanding field-based workflows.

Source: ProGrade Digital

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Storage Magazine UK Explores SDS, ZFS, and Hybrid Cloud Adoption

 

Storage Magazine UK has published an in-depth feature on the growing shift toward Software-Defined Storage (SDS) platforms such as TrueNAS, Unraid, and StorPool. The article highlights the increased adoption of ZFS in enterprise and media production workflows due to its snapshot integrity, compression, and replication features. SDS is becoming a go-to alternative to traditional SAN/NAS, driven by falling NVMe prices, hybrid cloud tiering, and rising demand for on-prem AI storage. The report cites vendors like QNAP, Synology, and iXsystems as enablers of this transition, especially in small business and mid-size data center markets.

Source: Storage Magazine

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German Police Raid Counterfeit HDD Sellers Impersonating WD, Seagate, Toshiba

 

German authorities have carried out a coordinated raid targeting operations selling counterfeit hard drives, falsely labeled as Seagate, WD, and Toshiba models. The fakes, often low-capacity drives rebranded with falsified firmware to appear as 8TB or larger, were found on multiple EU e-commerce platforms. The investigation uncovered hundreds of affected units, with many traced back to unauthorized Chinese sellers. Consumers are urged to verify drive serial numbers via official OEM tools and to avoid purchasing storage hardware from unknown or unverified vendors. This marks one of the largest HDD fraud crackdowns in recent years.

Source: ComputerBase

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Facebook Group Sparks Debate Over Synology’s Drive Support Policy

 

A viral post in the Facebook Synology Users Group reignited criticism of Synology’s restrictive HDD/SSD compatibility policy, especially on 2025+ NAS models like the DS925+ and DS1525+. Users shared mixed experiences—some bypassing the restrictions using community tools, others facing performance warnings or blocked drive initialization. The conversation raised broader concerns about vendor lock-in, limited drive sourcing, and data risk if drives fail without qualified replacements available. While Synology maintains the policy is for system stability, community sentiment remains divided.

Source: Synology Group

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Phison Still Advertising E28 SSD Controller Despite Delay

 

Despite officially delaying the E28 PCIe 5.0 controller, Phison continues to market the chip across partner sites and trade listings, causing confusion among OEMs and resellers. The E28 was intended to support 14 GB/s throughput, TLC/QLC NAND, and AI-enhanced caching algorithms. The mismatch between promotional materials and actual availability has led to skepticism in the channel, especially as competitors like FADU and Samsung push forward with Gen5/Gen6 solutions.

Source: Phison

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QNAP Qsirch Now Free with All Features on QTS/QuTS Systems

 

In a silent update, QNAP has removed licensing restrictions from Qsirch, its AI-powered file search tool. All users of compatible QTS and QuTS hero NAS systems now receive full access to OCR scanning, image classification, email/document indexing, and upcoming support for LLM-enhanced query features. This move aligns with QNAP’s broader AI integration strategy across apps like QVR, QuMagie, and Boxafe, solidifying its positioning in the smart storage segment for both SMB and prosumer users.

Source: QNAP

 

FADU FC6161 PCIe 6.0 Controller Promises 512TB NVMe SSDs

 

FADU continues to shake up the enterprise storage space with the announcement of its FC6161 PCIe 6.0 SSD controller, now detailed further by ComputerBase. The chip supports up to 512TB capacities, NVMe 2.0, ZNS, and SR-IOV, with throughput reaching 28.5 GB/s. Built on a TSMC 7nm process, it targets hyperscalers, AI data centers, and ultra-dense storage arrays. Notably, the controller is also optimized for QLC and upcoming PLC NAND, offering exceptional IOPS and power efficiency, positioning it as a competitor to Phison’s delayed E28 and Marvell’s Bravera series.

Source: FADU

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Phison Concludes SSD Failures Were Not Caused by Firmware

 

Following widespread user reports of SSD failures linked to a recent Windows update, Phison has released an official statement confirming that no reproducible errors were found in affected SSDs using their controllers. The company suggested that modified firmware or third-party reflashing could be responsible for the bricked drives, which entered read-only mode or failed boot. This clarification is essential as retailers and OEMs previously paused shipments. Phison recommends using official firmware only and continues working with Microsoft on validation.

Source: Phison

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Windows Update in Japan Linked to SSD File System Errors

 

ComputerBase has confirmed that a Windows 11 update caused file system corruption in certain SSDs, primarily affecting users in Japan. The issue, now traced to NTFS journaling bugs triggered during Fast Startup, caused some drives to mount in read-only mode or corrupt partitions entirely. Affected systems were primarily consumer desktops and laptops using SATA or NVMe drives from varied manufacturers. Microsoft has yet to issue an official patch or KB notice, but users are advised to disable Fast Startup and run CHKDSK manually post-update.

Source: Microsoft

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UniFi Protect 6.1 Launches with Major Surveillance Upgrades

 

Ubiquiti has released UniFi Protect 6.1, bringing enhancements to camera management, retention policies, and remote access. The update introduces edge storage fallback, allowing footage to be recorded directly to supported cameras when the NVR is offline, then synchronized later. New features include camera-specific schedules, multi-retention zones, improved license plate recognition (LPR), and streamlined multi-site NVR management. Version 6.1 is compatible with the new UNVR Instant and expands support for G5 and AI Pro cameras.

Source: Ubiquiti

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Storage Magazine UK: SDS Adoption Accelerates with ZFS and AI Use Cases

 

Storage Magazine UK has published a comprehensive report highlighting the accelerated adoption of Software-Defined Storage (SDS) platforms across SMBs and creative sectors. Solutions like TrueNAS SCALE, Unraid, and QNAP QuTS hero are gaining traction due to support for ZFS, AI-assisted indexing, and hybrid cloud sync. The article emphasizes the increasing importance of SDS in AI workflows, where on-prem NAS systems act as edge caches for inference workloads. It also notes the growing demand for solutions with open APIs and multi-protocol support (NFS, SMB, S3).

Source: Storage Magazine

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ASUS TUF Gaming BE9400 Brings Wi-Fi 7 to the Masses

 

ASUS has introduced the TUF Gaming BE9400, a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router supporting speeds up to 21 Gbps, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), and 2.5GbE WAN/LAN ports. Built with a quad-core processor and external antennas, it offers gaming QoS, Open NAT, and a custom TUF UI for performance monitoring. Compatible with AiMesh, the BE9400 can serve as a primary router or node in a mesh network. It also includes free lifetime AiProtection Pro, positioning it as an affordable yet powerful router for gamers and heavy streamers.

Source: ASUS

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GL.iNet Promotes Comet Pro KVM Device via VIP Campaign

 

GL.iNet has initiated a VIP survey and promotional campaign for its new Comet Pro, a compact Wi-Fi 6 remote KVM device with HDMI passthrough, USB-C power, and support for headless system management. Designed for IT admins, remote workers, and homelab builders, the Comet Pro allows users to manage systems without display, keyboard, or mouse — even over the internet. The email campaign includes early-bird discounts and exclusive feedback surveys, signaling GL.iNet’s intent to expand beyond routers into remote access tools.

Source: GL.iNet