This NAS Has A Powerful Secret! - Asustor 5404T Review & Setup Guide

Summary

In this video, Wes explores the benefits of using the Asus Store 544 Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, highlighting its incredible redundancy features and performance for data security. He demonstrates how to set up the NAS with SSD caching for efficient video and photo editing, as well as backing up data with multiple configurations. Wes shares his experiences troubleshooting network setups and offers advice on optimizing the device's performance, including network speed tests over Wi-Fi and Ethernet. He also emphasizes the importance of using reliable storage drives and having multiple backups for ultimate data protection.

Takeaways

• 😀 Backup your files: If you're not redundantly backing up your files, videos, and photos, you need a network attached storage (NAS) solution like the Asus Store 544 for reliable protection against data loss.
• 😀 Importance of redundancy: The Asus Store 544 offers robust data redundancy to ensure that even if a drive fails, your data remains safe, thanks to its configuration with RAID 1 and SSD caching.
• 😀 Simple hardware design: The Asus Store 544 features an easy-to-use design with hot-swappable drive bays and a removable front plate for easy access, though users must remove all drives to access the interior.
• 😀 Optimal configuration: The best performance for live video/photo editing requires a mix of SSDs and HDDs in a dual-volume configuration, with SSD caching to optimize speed and HDDs for cold storage.
• 😀 Set up process can take time: Reconfiguring and reformatting a NAS can take 12-24 hours due to the need to set up volumes and experiment with configurations to find the best solution.
• 😀 Avoid using default HDD for OS: For better performance, the operating system should be installed on SSDs, as running it from HDDs causes bottlenecks and reduces overall speed.
• 😀 Speed testing reveals performance potential: The video demonstrates various connection speeds (Wi-Fi, 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, 10 Gbps), showing how the 10 Gbps ethernet connection provides the best performance for video editing and large file transfers.
• 😀 Cable quality matters: The provided cat 5e cables were insufficient for 2.5 Gbps performance. Replacing them with higher-quality cat 6A cables solved connection issues.
• 😀 Recommended upgrades: For optimal performance, consider upgrading RAM to 16GB if doing more intensive tasks or using the NAS for multiple server capabilities.
• 😀 Cloud and backup options: The Asus Store 544 offers several ways to back up data, including linking to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and AWS, and setting up automatic FTP backups, ensuring your data stays safe.

Q & A

What is the Asus Store 544 NAS, and why is it important for users?

The Asus Store 544 NAS is a network-attached storage device designed to store and manage data with redundancy features. It is important for users who need to back up large amounts of data, such as videos, photos, and files, and want to ensure their data is protected through redundancy, preventing data loss in case of hardware failure.

What is the difference between 'hot storage' and 'cold storage' in the context of the Asus Store 544 NAS?

'Hot storage' refers to high-speed storage that is actively used for tasks like video editing, which benefits from faster SSD caching. 'Cold storage,' on the other hand, refers to storage that is used primarily for backups and is typically slower, relying on HDDs, though still supported by SSD caching for faster data retrieval.

How does the Asus Store 544 ensure data redundancy and prevent data loss?

The Asus Store 544 uses RAID configurations, with the example in the video featuring two 4TB drives set up in RAID 1 for redundancy. This means if one drive fails, the data is still safe on the other drive. Additionally, the system automatically backs up 'hot storage' (active data) to 'cold storage' (backup data), ensuring multiple copies of critical files.

What are the key advantages of using m.2 SSDs in the Asus Store 544 NAS?

m.2 SSDs are used in the Asus Store 544 to improve performance by serving as a cache for the slower HDDs. This setup accelerates data access for tasks such as live video and photo editing. SSDs offer much faster read/write speeds compared to HDDs, reducing latency and improving overall system performance.

Why does the reviewer recommend using two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports rather than bonding them for higher speed?

The reviewer found that bonding the two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports (link aggregation) actually reduced performance. Instead, using each port independently provided better performance. Additionally, the reviewer suggests using SMB multi-channel for Macs, as it enables better data transfer speeds over the network.

What is the issue with the network cables included with the Asus Store 544 NAS, and how does it affect performance?

The issue with the included Cat 5e cables is that they can degrade the signal when used with higher-quality network equipment, such as Cat 6A jacks. This caused the reviewer to lose 2.5Gb Ethernet connection speeds. Switching to Cat 6A cables resolved the problem and restored expected network performance.

What role does RAM play in the performance of the Asus Store 544 NAS?

The RAM in the Asus Store 544 NAS helps with overall system performance, especially when handling multiple tasks or services. The reviewer upgraded the RAM from 4GB to 16GB, suggesting that while 8GB is sufficient for basic use, more RAM can improve performance when running more advanced tasks or cloud services.

What are the recommended types of hard drives for use in the Asus Store 544 NAS?

For optimal performance and longevity, the reviewer recommends using NAS-specific hard drives, such as the Seagate IronWolf series. These drives are designed for the heavy workload and continuous operation of NAS devices and come with health monitoring tools that integrate well with the Asus Store 544.

How does the Asus Store 544 NAS help with video editing workflows, especially over a network?

The Asus Store 544 NAS is set up to enable smooth video editing workflows by providing fast access to large files over the network. With proper network configurations (such as 10Gb Ethernet), users can edit 4K video with little to no latency. The device can also handle large video files and multi-angle editing with smooth playback, particularly when using SSD caching and proxies.

What backup and cloud services are available on the Asus Store 544 NAS for data protection?

The Asus Store 544 NAS offers multiple backup options, including local backups to another NAS or an FTP server, as well as integration with cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and AWS. These services allow for offsite backups, ensuring that users have secure, multiple copies of their data.