Performance
We tested our Asustor AS-604T with Intel
NASPT in which we improved the HD video templates by increasing the size of the
files to 8 GB. We also removed the File Copy to/from NAS test and added templates
of random reading and writing of files with a total size of 8 GB. We installed
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 HDDs into the NAS. Besides creating a disk
volume, a shared folder and a user account, we didn’t change any settings with
the exception of enabling Jumbo Frames with a frame size of 9K. We did not
enable any extra modules or services on the NAS. The latter was connected
directly to an Intel Core i5 desktop running Windows 7 x64.
The first diagram shows the performance of
the NAS with JBOD, RAID0, RAID5 and RAID6 arrays inside.
Asustor
AS-604T’s performance
These numbers are normal for a modern
x86-based NAS. The peak speeds are over 100 MB/s, limited by the Ethernet
interface. It is quite possible to achieve higher speeds by means of special
network switches.
Using fault-tolerant arrays doesn’t produce
a performance hit, which indicates that the NAS’s processor is fast enough to
cope with the increased load. The software implementation of the striped array
may not provide any performance benefits as we can see in the diagram but we’ve
only seen this with x86 devices and this behavior may be peculiar to this
hardware platform. The random write results are affected by caching, so our
templates still need some more polishing off.
External disks can be connected to the Asustor
AS-604T via USB 3.0 and eSATA to expand the overall storage capacity. The next
diagram shows the performance of an external eSATA disk with EXT4, HFS+ and
NTFS file systems (formatted by the NAS itself).
Asustor
AS-604T’s performance
It is unusual that the data-transfer speed
doesn’t depend much on the file system type but the overall level of
performance is comparable to the internal HDDs. The external interface doesn’t
provoke any performance hit.
It’s more sophisticated with USB 3.0
because data travels through two additional chips: the NAS’s additional USB 3.0
controller and the external disk’s bridge.
Asustor
AS-604T’s performance
That’s why there is a small performance hit
with large files when you use HFS+ or NTFS. EXT4 is less susceptible. Anyway,
you can expect peak data-transfer speeds up to 100 MB/s.
All in all, the Asustor AS-604T is good in
terms of speed. It has the fastest NAS platform available on the market in its
product class and features efficient implementation of all data-transfer
protocols. That’s why it is fast even if you combine its HDDs into a
fault-tolerant array.
Conclusion
End-users will certainly benefit from the
arrival of a new brand to the market of top-end NASes which seems to be in a
kind of stagnation because there are rather few brands on it and there are
already no performance-related problems. The extra features offered by today’s
NASes are even redundant for most users but prices remain at a very high level.
Perhaps Asustor will be able to change this situation although its pricing
policy seems to be not much different from the others. And if the price is the
same, we should have a closer look at technical specs.
The AS-604T is flawless in terms of
manufacturing quality. It’s got an excellent case with handy controls and
indicators, efficient ventilation and practical matte plastic exterior. Its
hardware platform is quite advanced, features eSATA, USB 3.0 and HDMI and offers
memory upgrade opportunities.
Although it’s a recently released product,
its firmware is functional and offers all the capabilities you can expect to
find a modern NAS. There is a broad choice of extra software modules. Besides
conventional services such as file downloading, backup copying, multimedia
streaming and video surveillance, it offers applications for hosting websites,
blogs and forums, developer tools, ecommerce systems and many others. The Boxee
module can even transform it into a full-featured media player. The AS-604T
offers all the performance you can expect from its hardware platform and can be
recommended for home, SOHO and SMB users.
Asustor AS-604T 4-Bay NAS specs
Hardware
·
CPU: Intel Atom 2.13 GHz Dual-Core Processor
·
Memory: 1GB SO-DIMM DDR3 (Expandable. Max.
3GB)
·
Expansion: USB 3.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 4, eSATA x 2
·
Network: Gigabit Ethernet x2
·
LCD panel
·
Output: HDMI x 1
·
System Fan: 120mm x 1
·
Input Power Voltage: 100V to 240V AC
·
Certification: FCC, CE, VCCI, BSMI, C-TICK
Operation
·
Power Consumption: 33.2W (Operation); 26.2W
(Disk Hibernation); 1.4W (Sleep Mode)
·
Noise Level: 24 dB(A)
Size and Weight
·
Size: 185.5 (H) x 170 (W) x 230 (D) mm
·
Weight: 3.5 kg / 7.72 lb
|
