The F4-424 Pro 4-Bay NAS Enclosure from TerraMaster is designed for SMB users who need a high performance storage solution that can handle high-load workflows, virtualization, and database applications, while multiple business-level backup solutions help guarantee data safety and safeguard against the risk of data loss. It can also decode 4K video, stream content to multimedia devices, and features four SATA drive bays that can handle 2.5 or 3.5" hard drives and SSDs, plus two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for caching. The F4-424 Pro delivers data transfer speeds of up to 283 MB/s and connects to your network using dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports that support link aggregation, while accessories may be connected a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, or HDMI 2.1. The F4-424 Pro is powered by a 3.8 GHz Intel Core i3-N305 8-Core processor and 32GB of 4800 MHz DDR5 memory.

Each drive bay is hot swappable and allows for tool-free installation. Plug-and-play connectivity means that no additional drivers are required for use, while a 120mm cooling fan helps keep operations cool. RAID options include RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, Single, JBOD, and TerraMaster's TRAID. The F4-424 Pro is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux

Please note that the F4-424 Pro does not currently support individual drives larger than 22TB.

4 x 3.5/2.5" Bays | 2 x M.2 2280 Slots    3.8 GHz Intel Core i3-N305 8-Core    32GB of 4800 MHz DDR5 RAM    2 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Ports    USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-A 3.2 Gen 2    1 x HDMI 2.1 Port    RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, Single & JBOD    Data Transfers of up to 283 MB/s    AES 256-Bit Encryption    Windows, Mac, and Linux Compatible

The 4-Bay F4-424 Pro is suitable for SMB users who need high-performance storage solutions. High performance means that users can easily handle high-load workflows, while multiple business-level backup solutions guarantee data safety and safeguard against the risk of data loss.

The F4-424 Pro is the a powerful 4-bay NAS. It features an Intel Core i3-N305 8-core processor with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.8 GHz, integrated Intel UHD Graphics with a maximum dynamic frequency of 1.25 GHz, and supports AES-NI hardware encryption. Equipped with 32GB of 4800 MHz DDR5 memory, two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, and dual M.2 2280 NVMe slots for SSD caching, it significantly boosts the storage efficiency of the disk array. This makes the F4-424 Pro an ideal high-performance storage solution for small and medium-sized business users engaged in virtualization and database applications.

Featuring a more powerful CPU and DDR5 memory, the F4-424 Pro represents a performance improvement of more than 150% over the previous generation. Application load times have increased by 1000%, file and photo retrieval speed by 45%, database response speed by 55%, and the PHP response for web pages has seen a 65% improvement. Such enhanced performance enables seamless handling of high-load workflows.

The F4-424 Pro is configured with two 2.5GbE interfaces, supporting a 2.5GbE high-speed network bandwidth. The linear data transmission speed can reach 283 MB/s, while link aggregation offers a network bandwidth of up to 5Gb, thereby providing a cost-effective solution for multi-user and high-concurrent file access.

With 4K video decoding capabilities, the F4-424 Pro is compatible with uPnP/DLNA protocol and can stream videos to various multimedia devices, including computers, smartphones, media players, and televisions by using TerraMaster's proprietary application Multimedia Server, or one from another third party to deliver users constant, reliable entertainment experiences.

The F4-424 Pro supports various RAID types including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, TRAID, Single, and JBOD. It offers online capacity expansion and online migration for RAID types, while Hot Spare can be configured for the disk array. It supports the creation of multiple storage spaces and EXT4 or BTRFS file systems can be selected in accordance with various business requirements. When used in conjunction with TerraMaster USB DAS devices, the F4-424 Pro has the ability to flexibly expand storage capacity.

TNAS runs on TOS, a TerraMaster operating system based on Linux. Extensive research into the needs of various business users and the resultant continued evolution of multiple TOS generations has enabled it to integrate all-round professional storage management functions including network management, permission management, storage management, and resource monitoring via user-friendly, intuitive, and flat web interfaces. It also provides hundreds of free apps for the app market.

The ability of the F4-424 Pro to support most file services (SMB, AFP, SFTP/FTP, iSCSI, NFS, and WebDAV) enables it to successfully address the across-platform file service needs of different network environments. Moreover, the F4-424 Pro supports Windows AD domain and LDAP, thereby facilitating the incorporation of the existing IT environments of business users and improving management efficiency. The presence of permission management at the level of users, user groups, and file directories means that the F4-424 Pro can satisfy the comprehensive requirements of business users for inter-departmental collaboration and data security.

TOS can protect valuable data using visual user interfaces and trustworthy storage solutions thanks to its integration with multiple backup applications that can address backup needs in an array of circumstances.

Centralized Backup

Backup for servers, virtual machines, employee PCs, and file servers can be initiated at the TNAS end, thus facilitating the rapid restoration of data after incidents.

Duple Backup

In order to provide several offsite backup versions, Duple Backup provides advanced data protection by backing up files in TNAS to another remote TNAS, file server, or cloud drive.

Snapshot

It is possible to take continuous snapshots of your folders or iSCSI LUNs by enabling the snapshot schedule with the advanced storage technology and optimized snapshot technology available via the BTRFS file system. When problems arise, the system can roll back to points-in-time and restore to the last backup, thereby ensuring that your data is well protected.

CloudSync

This backs up or synchronizes TNAS data with the cloud drive, which not only improves the availability of cloud data, but also provides several offsite backup versions, thus safeguarding the security of your data.

The F4-424 Pro satisfies virtualized application needs and provides additional functionality within one device with the use of professional virtualized apps, including VirtualBox and Docker, and by cooperating with Docker-compose and Portainer. This lowers the cost of corporate investment in IT.

Increased cyberattacks mean that the system security of network devices security system are obliged to address considerable challenges. TOS enables various systematic safeguards, such as pam identity authentication, AES 256-bit encryption, automatic account lockout, anti-DoS attack, firewall, and Security Isolation Mode. Hence, it effectively reduces the risks of malicious attacks on your devices.

TNAS allows business users to easily build file servers, mail servers, web servers, FTP servers, MySQL databases, CRM, Node.js, Java VMs, and many other services, thereby satisfying the commercial requirement of various SMBs in such fields as education, consulting, finance, scientific research, and law.

The F4-424 Pro is designed with a tool-free hard disk tray, removing the need for any tool during hard disk installation. The F4-424 Pro also features TerraMaster's unique Push-Lock design, which automatically locks the hard disk on insertion to prevent it from coming loose or going offline. As a result, it is extremely convenient for users who need to replace hard disks frequently for data exchange, as their installation takes less than 10 seconds.

To facilitate the installation of M.2 SSDs, TerraMaster has specially designed a side sliding cover for the F4-424 Pro's chassis, which is simply pushed aside to install M.2 SSDs. TerraMaster also provides hand-tightened screws, making it easy to install an SSD within 5 seconds.

The F4-424 Pro features an intelligent temperature-controlled fan, which ensures optimal working conditions by automatically adjusting fan speed according to hard disk temperature. It also has a dedicated ventilation channel for M.2 SSDs to accommodate hybrid storage applications. Even under full load, the temperature of anyM.2 SSDs can be kept within a reasonable range.

The unit's close placement to the user has required a design that achieves greatly reduced noise to meet the strict requirements for these levels in desktop products. The high-speed rotation of disks and heads in HDDs when reading and writing produces vibrations with noticeable noise. These vibrations may resonate with the product's cavity and amplify the overall noise. To combat this, besides incorporating additional shock absorbing measures, TerraMaster's engineers have designed numerous special sound-absorbing panels in the new structure to minimize noise. Testing has shown that the new generation of products achieve noise levels 50% lower than the previous generation's, with a noise level in standby mode of only 21 dBA.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. I have a pair of DX513 expansion chassis current connected to my DS1815+ Can I use my existing DX513 units with the DS1823xs+?

A: Synology does not list the two devices as compatible.

Q: 2. Is the outer casing of the DS1621+ plastic or Metal?

A: It has a metal shell.

Q: 3. With all bays populated with 7200rpm 16GB+ disks, what temperature do the drives sit at? idle vs load? At loudest fan speeds.

A: Synology has not provided metrics on the amount of heat generated by the DiskStation DS1823xs+ 8-Bay NAS Enclosure.

Q: 4. Can 10gb Ethernet card and nvme drives be installed simultaneously?

A: As The Synology DiskStation DS1621+ has only one PCIE expansion port, you would have to choose between either M.2 NVMe support or 10GBe Ethernet.

Q: 5. Can you connect this to a computer via USB 3 as an external drive?

A: No, the Asustor Flashstor FS6706T 6-Bay NAS Enclosure's USB ports are for connecting peripherals only. You can not connect this NAS directly to a computer via USB.

Q: 6. If you had let's say 6TB per slot then want to increase space, can you just replace one slot at a time with larger space, like 10TB. Can you then rebuild the raid, then replace another slot, repeat, until all slots are 10TB each?

A: You could add larger drives to the Synology DiskStation DS1821+ 8-Bay NAS Enclosure to expand its capacity overtime, however, unless you are using the NAS in a JBOD format, it is not advised to use drives of varying sizes, as you will not be able to fully utilize the capacity of the larger drives and it may lead to complications. In general, it is best to use identical drives when working with RAID."

Q: 7. Can I back up another NAS I already own (DS1621+) to this NAS from a different physical location?

A: Yes, as long as the Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-Bay NAS Enclosure is loaded with enough drive capacity to cover everything in the NAS you already own, it could work as a backup in a different physical location.

Q: 8. when i buy this do i just add my hdd's to have it working on my network as a nas or do i have to buy extra stuff?

A: The Synology DiskStation DS1821+ 8-Bay NAS Enclosure comes with Ethernet cables for you to set it up, and you just need the proper hard drive to start (it is recommended to use NAS-rated drives). You can also upgrade it with two M.2 (2280) drives and/or utilize the enclosure's PCIe 3.0 (x8) expansion slot, but it's not mandatory.

Q: 9. Does the cooling fan run continuously and is it loud?

A: the fan will run as needed. The NAS has a noise rating of 19.7 dBA.

Q: 10. Whats the largest hard drive can you put in this unit ?

A: The largest drive capacity on the Synology DiskStation DS223j 2-Bay NAS Enclosure's compatibility list is 16TB, though larger drives like 18Tb and 20TB may also work.