QNAP embeds AMD chip into new rackmount NAS

QNAP Systems has announced the rackmount TS-x73AU NAS Series with high-performance and energy-efficient AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 series V1500B 4-core/8-thread, 2.2GHz processors.

It includes dual-port 2.5GbE transmission and the ability to natively host virtual machines and containers while performing as an all-in-one server protected by key snapshot and backup technologies.

With PCIe expansion, additional functions can be added to the TS-x73AU Series (including 10 GbE, M.2 SSD caching or Fibre Channel support). 

The TS-x73AU Series is available in 8, 12 and 16-bay models with single and redundant power supply options.

“The TS-x73AU is QNAP’s first SMB NAS that adopts high-performance ‘Zen’-core AMD Ryzen embedded processors,” says QNAP product manager Jason Hsu. 

“With flexible I/O expandability and versatile QTS applications for backup/sync, cloud gateways, virtualisation, surveillance and security management, the TS-x73AU is a supremely cost-effective NAS solution for SMBs with budget limitations working within varied multi-tasking environments.”

The TS-x73AU supports AES-NI encryption, SATA 6 Gb/s drives and up to 32GB dual-channel DDR4 RAM. With one PCIe Gen3 x8 or two PCIe Gen3 x4 slots, expansion cards can be installed in the TS-x73AU to enhance core functionality. 

If high-speed networking is required, a 5GbE/10GbE network card can be installed. 

Users with VMware ESXi servers can install a QXG-10G2SF-CX4 PCIe 10GbE Adapter with Mellanox ConnectX-4 embedded to add iSER (iSCSI Extension for RDMA) support. 

M.2 SSD caching can be added by using a QM2 card to accelerate IOPS performance. 

Graphics processing or GPU-intensive applications can be enabled by installing a graphics card. 

Users with Fibre Channel infrastructure can install a QNAP 16Gb Fibre Channel card to use the TS-x73AU as a SAN storage device.

The TS-x73AU Series supports advanced business features to optimise management efficiency while ensuring continuous operation and security, including local/remote/cloud backup, Google G Suite and Microsoft 365 backup and cloud storage gateways. 

Block-based snapshots ensure data protection and instant restoration, and can help users protect their data from encryption-based virus threats. 

As storage demands grow, the TS-x73AU can be expanded by connecting a QNAP SAS, PCIe to SATA or USB storage expansion enclosure or by using VJBOD to utilize the unused storage capacity of other QNAP NAS.

Key specifications

Redundant power supply models:

• TS-873AU-RP-4G: 2U, 8 drive bays, 4 GB DDR4 memory, 300W redundant PSU, 1 x PCIe Gen 3 x8 slot
• TS-1273AU-RP-8G: 2U, 12 drive bays, 8 GB DDR4 memory, 300W redundant PSU, 2 x PCle Gen 3 x4 slots
• TS-1673AU-RP-16G: 3U, 16 drive bays, 16 GB DDR4 memory, 550W redundant PSU, 2 x PCle Gen 3 x4 slots

Single power supply model:

• TS-873AU-4G: 2U, 8 drive bays, 4 GB DDR4 memory, 250W single PSU, 1 x PCIe Gen 3 x8 slot

AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B (4-core/8-thread, 2.2 GHz); 2 x DDR4 UDIMM RAM slots (dual channel - supports up to 32GB); hot-swappable 3.5-inch SATA 6Gbps drive bays; 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps ports (1 x Type-A, 2 x Type-C); 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps port (Type A)