QNAP NAS: The Ultimate Guide for You!

It will come a time when small enterprises and even home users dealing with big data will need to improve their data storage systems. A storage update is intended not just for greater capacity or dependability but also for centralized configuration to enhance performance, shareability, and security.

A NAS (Network-Attached Storage) architecture is the logical progression from a DAS (Direct-Attached Storage) system. A NAS device enables numerous people and machines to access shared data. Moreover, if you wish to invest in a reputable brand for NAS, you should go for QNAPs NAS. To help you find more information about them, we've listed the finest QNAP NAS and everything you should know about them. Let's get going!

What Defines NAS?

Network-Attached Storage, or NAS, is a device for storing and managing data that facilitates simultaneous access by a wide range of users across several clients. A data set may be accessed through the internet or a local network. Because of their adaptability and scalability, NAS servers can readily accommodate expanding storage requirements and existing capacities.

To put it another way, NAS is like having a private cloud in your workplace, only it's quicker, cheaper, and gives you all the advantages of a public cloud without giving up any control over the data. In addition to their many other benefits, NAS systems provide superior file transfers between computers and mobile devices. If you're looking for a safe and secure way to back up your data, NAS storage is an excellent option.

Concerning data recoverability, NAS servers outpace popular cloud services like Dropbox and OneDrive by providing considerably quicker data recovery in case of a system failure or the accidental deletion of a critical file station.

What Is QNAP?

QNAP may not be a familiar name to people just learning about network attached storage solutions. QNAP, Quality Network Appliance Provider, is a reputable company that makes network storage devices and has won awards for them.

QNAP provides NAS systems for every need and budget, thanks to cutting-edge software and small, aesthetically pleasing hardware design. Customers can rest certain that a QNAP purchase will be stable and future-proof, as advertised, since the company spends extensively on R&D.

Advantages of Using QNAP NAS

While public cloud storage has numerous advantages over private ones, such as requiring little to no upkeep and being very resilient, they are not without flaws. You may get around some of the limitations of the cloud while still enjoying its productivity and cost-effectiveness by including a QNAP NAS as a storage gateway (HybridMount and VJBOD Cloud). Some of the advantages of using QNAP NAS storage manager are as follows:

1.     Saves Bandwidth

Using a QNAP NAS as a caching gateway to the public cloud, the NAS handles all client uploads and downloads instead of the cloud server. The gateway will service local download requests for the same material to save precious internet bandwidth. The gateway will also expedite upload requests, making the cloud available to users sooner.

2.     Streamline Functioning

When a QNAP NAS is set up as a gateway on the LAN, clients may connect to the cloud using standard SMB/CIFS protocols to access any of the supported cloud services. No client-side plugin or app installation is required, making it easy for the typical user to pick up and start using.

3.     Fast Access

A QNAP NAS gateway on the LAN may drastically increase access and response time for time-sensitive edge applications like database transactions and IoT device monitoring. The limitless possibilities of an effective hybrid cloud storage architecture will allow you to grow and empower your existing use cases.

4.     QTS Ecosystems

QNAP NAS provides a storage gateway solution in addition to its flexible features provided by the QTS app environment for various use cases. QNAP NAS, for instance, may function as a lightweight machine learning and inference server, enhancing your hybrid cloud setup's efficiency with its edge computing features.

5.     Saves Money

Cloud storage services use a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which means that there will be a substantial cost associated with storage and bandwidth if everything is uploaded to the cloud. You may bring some inactive data back to your on-premises infrastructure and use the QNAP NAS hybrid cloud storage gateway as a cache for your public cloud storage if you set it up as a local data store and a gateway to the cloud. You may reduce the amount of space you use and the amount of data you download from the cloud, reducing overall cloud computing expenditures.

How Do You Choose the Right QNAP NAS to Meet Your Requirements?

QNAP has a wide range of NAS devices suitable for home users, IT enthusiasts, small companies, and organizations. With so many models available, choosing the NAS that best matches your demands and budget might be tough. However, we've listed a buying guide to get your hands on the right QNAP NAS:

Form Factor

QNAP offers NAS of three different form factors:

• Rackmount: This form factor is often seen in corporate NAS devices. Rackmount NAS devices feature greater noise levels and give excellent performance.
• Set-top: These are small and inexpensive portable NAS devices for home use. QNAP HS-453DX, for example, is the quietest NAS device without fans.
• Tower: This kind of NAS device is designed for usage at home, the workplace, and data centers. Such NAS devices may be placed on a table, shelf, or other suitable location. The amount of noise is modest.

Select a QNAP NAS that best supports your needs.

Drives Bays

Before selecting a NAS model, consider the amount of drive bays and if the NAS model permits attaching an extension unit. If all your NAS drive bays are filled, installing an expansion unit enables you to put more disk drives on your NAS system. We recommend choosing a QNAP NAS that is at least 2-bay.

Disk Drive Capacity

Check the maximum disk drive capacity that may be added to the NAS device. QNAP NAS machines come without drives. You choose and purchase disks individually. To prevent problems, avoid using hard disk drives from the green series.

Processor

Intel and AMD both provide 64-bit CPUs based on the x86-64 architecture. ARM CPUs are available from Marvell, Realtek, and AnnapurnaLabs. Choose x86-64 CPUs for improved performance and application compatibility. ARM processors use less electricity and are less expensive.

PCIe Slots

PCIe slots are used to install a PCI adaptor, such as an M2 SSD, without requiring the usage of a drive bay. To expand the functionality of a QNAP NAS device, choose one with an M2 PCIe NVMe slot, an M2 SSD drive, an Ethernet adapter, a Wi-Fi adapter, or a graphics card in a PCI Express slot.

Ethernet Ports

NAS devices with two or more Ethernet ports enable you to employ port trunking (link aggregation) for improved speed and increased bandwidth when several hosts transmit data to/from the NAS. You may merge two physical connections into one logical link via link aggregation. The switch must support IEEE 802.3ad.

3 Best QNAP NAS Devices in 2022

QNAP manufactures some of the finest network-attached storage NAS enclosures on the market, including:

1.     QNAP TS-451+

QNAP TS-451+ is the best of the QNAP T NAS series. The S-451+ includes four SSD/HDD disk bays that can hold up to 64TB of storage and many connectors on the back, including two 1Gb LANs, USB 3.0, and USB 3.2 Gen 1. It comes with QNAP QTS operating system, and It includes a QVR Elite, a small and professional video management system that allows for real-time remote monitoring and recording.

This small and agile NAS device is powered by an Intel Xeon W1250CPU, making it appropriate for usage as a media server with a Plex media server. It is a fantastic NAS device with everything you need to get started with network attached storage. Moreover, it has a drive slot that allows you to use NAS drive, such as Toshiba n300 or WD Red Pro.

2.     QNAP TS-251D

The QNAP TS-251D is the company's NAS for consumers looking for a great value. There's an Intel Celeron J4005 CPU, 4GB of DDR4 RAM that can be upgraded to 8GB of DDR4, and two disk bays. A 70mm fan cools everything, yet these NAS containers could easily handle more complicated jobs.

With up to 32TB of storage space, the QNAP TS251D is great for home files management, backing up all your devices, and saving money by eliminating the need for cloud storage subscriptions. It arrives with QVR Pro Smart Client, which enables users of NAS with HDMI output to watch security video directly by connecting the NAS to an HDMI monitor.

3.     QNAP TS-128A

Because the QNAP TS-128A is a low-cost desktop NAS, you shouldn't plan to run many services like Plex on it. There is also just one disk bay, which can hold up to 16TB of data. However, for file storage, this enclosure effectively transforms 16TB of external storage into something smarter. You have a single GB connection that allows you to access your files throughout the network.

Furthermore, it is equipped with a Realtek RTD1296, which is not very powerful. However, if you need a place to keep backups of your desktop or laptop PC and want to reduce your reliance on major businesses and their cloud storage products, this is a terrific option.

[BONUS] ProMAX Platform – Best Alternative to QNAP NAS

If you want the best alternative to QNAP NAS for your video production team, you won't find a better solution than the ProMAX Platform. ProMAX Platform is the backbone of your video team's Shared Storage. Everything you need to communicate and collaborate in a group setting. Adobe Panels, Avid Bin Locking, DropBox connection for remote collaboration, and much more are included!

It includes ProMAX Cloud Connect, which lets you transmit and recover backups and archives to your cloud storage provider. The ProMAX LTO program manages backup and sync to LTO drives, supporting cache-a TAR and open LTFS formats.

Additionally, ProMAX Rendering is incorporated, allowing users to offload After Effects and Cinema 4D renderings to the Platform Server. It includes an 8TB hard drive at 1200 MBs per second and 16 disk bays that can be expanded to 24-bays. For optimal speed, a P4000 GPU is incorporated to outsource proxy creation.

Long story short

If you wish to invest in network attached storage, you shouldn't look further than the ProMAX Platform. Why? Let's lay out a few important details your video team might like: 

Does QNAP provide:

• Video editing tuning?
• Support team production experience?
• Workflow training?
• Adobe & Avid features?
• MAM?
• Integrated LTO & Cloud with video preview of archived assets?
• Proxy & transcode?
• Rendering?
• Guarantee?
• Test drive? NOPE!