Qnap ES2486dc-2142IT-128G 24-Bay 2U Rackmount NAS Review: Powerhouse Performance

This comprehensive review dives deep into the Qnap ES2486dc-2142IT-128G 24-Bay 2U Rackmount NAS Enclosure, a high-performance storage solution designed for businesses with demanding data needs. We’ll explore its features, performance, and overall value through a detailed analysis based on real-world testing and usage experiences.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Features
• Performance
• Pros & Cons
• Final Verdict

Introduction

The Qnap ES2486dc-2142IT-128G is a robust 2U rackmount NAS enclosure equipped with an Intel Xeon D-2142IT 8-core CPU, 64GB DDR4 system memory per controller, and 24x 2.5-inch drive bays. This powerful configuration positions it as a high-performance storage solution ideal for businesses, data centers, and demanding applications.

Features

The Qnap ES2486dc-2142IT-128G boasts a comprehensive set of features designed to enhance efficiency, reliability, and scalability:

• Powerful Intel Xeon Processor: The 8-core Intel Xeon D-2142IT CPU with up to 3.0 GHz boost clock delivers exceptional processing power to handle demanding workloads.
• Ample Memory: With 64GB DDR4 ECC memory per controller, the ES2486dc-2142IT-128G ensures seamless multitasking and smooth operation even under heavy loads.
• 24x 2.5-inch Drive Bays: The spacious 24-bay configuration provides ample storage capacity for large data sets, virtual machines, and demanding applications.
• High-Speed Networking: The ES2486dc-2142IT-128G features 4x 10GbE SFP+ ports per controller, providing ultra-fast network connectivity for demanding applications.
• SSD Cache Acceleration: The integrated SSD cache acceleration technology optimizes read performance, ensuring fast data access and responsiveness.
• Redundant Power Supply: The redundant hot-swappable power supply unit ensures continuous operation, even in the event of a power supply failure.
• Advanced Security Features: The ES2486dc-2142IT-128G includes features like AES-NI encryption, RAID protection, and access control mechanisms to secure your sensitive data.

Performance

The Qnap ES2486dc-2142IT-128G consistently delivers high-performance data storage and retrieval, exceeding expectations in real-world usage scenarios. During testing, we observed impressive sequential read/write speeds, particularly with SSD caching enabled. The system handled multiple concurrent tasks efficiently, demonstrating its ability to handle demanding workloads without performance degradation.

The 10GbE connectivity enabled lightning-fast file transfers, significantly reducing time spent waiting for data to transfer between devices. The ES2486dc-2142IT-128G’s performance was consistently reliable across different scenarios, making it a suitable choice for data-intensive tasks, virtual machine hosting, and demanding applications requiring high bandwidth.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptional performance with powerful CPU and ample memory.
• Large storage capacity with 24 drive bays.
• High-speed 10GbE connectivity for fast data transfer.
• SSD cache acceleration for enhanced read performance.
• Redundant power supply for reliability and uptime.
• Advanced security features for data protection.

Cons

• Initial setup can be complex for users unfamiliar with NAS systems.
• The price point may be considered high compared to entry-level NAS units.
• Limited write caching support.

Final Verdict

The Qnap ES2486dc-2142IT-128G is a top-tier NAS enclosure delivering exceptional performance, scalability, and security. It’s a compelling choice for businesses and organizations seeking a reliable, high-performance storage solution to handle demanding workloads, large data sets, and mission-critical applications. Despite its higher price point, the ES2486dc-2142IT-128G’s exceptional performance and robust features justify the investment for those requiring a robust and dependable storage infrastructure.

Specifications