QNAP TS-228 SOHO NAS Reviewed

[thiggins]

QNAP's TS-228 is inexpensive, but makes performance compromises to get there.

Read on SmallNetBuilder

 

[sfx2000]

Removing the lone heatsink reveals the processor as a Realtek RTD1195PN. This is the first time we've spotted a Realtek processor in a NAS we've reviewed. Realtek doesn't have a public page for this device, but Google searches identify it as Dual Cortex-A7 SoC @ 1.1 GHz. It's also found in WD's My Passport Wireless Pro.

Buffalo released something recently on Realtek... Found it interesting, as the board layout for Realtek is very similar to Allwinner in the SBC space.... mostly in the SoC to RAM/NAND orientation....

Nice to see Realtek in this space - most of the ARM's have been Marvell up to now - we've got AnnuPurna Labs (e.g. Amazon) jumping in on the high end, and Realtek on the low-end - let's see what Marvell responds with (and yes, they have a chip there that is pretty impressive).

 

[TheLostSwede]

The eMMC is from Toshiba.

Also, the RTD1295 would've been a much better choice, but obviously more costly.

 

[sfx2000]

The SATA is running off the Realtek's USB3.0 port via the ASMedia ASM1153E, which is an odd choice for a NAS... and may explain some of the storage numbers...

At least there is UASP, which does help out here compared to the Bulk-only Transport profile...

Info below:

ASM1153E is the ASMedia third generation single chip solution, bridging the USB3.0 to Serial SATA host interface with highly integrated SuperSpeed USB3.0, High Speed USDB2.0 and SATA1.5/3.0/6.0 Gbps ASMedia self -designed PHYs. Along with excellent compatibility with USB3.0 host and SATA device, ASM1153E uses advanced process technology to optimize the chip power consumption. Furthermore, it is also pit-to-pin backward compatible with existing ASM1053.

Customers can easily enhance their storage device performance with ASM1153 since it also integrates an 8-bit micro-processor and embedded RAM to provide a cutting edge solution in USB to SATA device enclosure market.

--Features
* Compliant with USB3.0 Specification Revision 1.0
* Compliant with USB Specification Revision 2.0
* Support USB Super-Speed, High-Speed and Full-Speed Operation
* Support Mass Storage Class, Bulk-Only Transport Specification Revision 1.3
* Support USB Attached SCSI Protocol Specification Revision 1.0
* Compliant with Serial ATA Specification Revision 3.0
* Serial ATA bus up to 6Gbps Signal bandwidth
* Support Spread Spectrum Control of USB3.0 and SATA interface to improve the EMI Performance
* Support ATA/ATAPI Packet Command Set
* Support ATA/ATAPI LBA48 addressing mode
* Integrated 8-bit micro-processor with embedded program RAM and ROM
* Support SPI NVRAM for Vender Specific Application of USB device Controller
* Support multi-GPIO pins
* Support programmable PWMs
* Support 20/25/30MHz with external crystal mode or 30MHz with Clock input mode via strapping
* Integrated two internal voltage regulator for IO power and Core
* HBM ESD 2KV and MM ESD 200V​