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

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

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

Feature Specification
CPU Intel® Xeon® D-2142IT 8-core 1.90 GHz processor, up to 3.0 GHz
CPU Architecture 64-bit x86
Floating Point Unit Yes
Encryption Engine YesAES-NI
System Memory 64 GB RDIMM DDR4 ECC (4 x 16 GB) per controller
Maximum Memory 512 GB (8 x 64GB)
Memory Slot 8 x R-DIMM/LR-DIMM DDR4
Flash Memory 4GB (Dual boot OS protection)
Drive Bay 24 x 2.5-inch SAS 12Gb/s, backward-compatible to SAS 6Gb/s
Drive Compatibility 2.5-inch SAS/SATA HDD/SSD
Hot-swappable Yes
SSD Cache Acceleration Support YesRead cache only
Cache for Copy To Flash (C2F) 1 per each controller (64GB M.2 SSD)
Gigabit Ethernet Port (RJ45) 3 for each controller (one for remote management)
10 Gigabit Ethernet Port 4 x 10GbE SFP+ for each controller
Wake on LAN (WOL) Yes
Jumbo Frame Yes
PCIe Slot 2 per controller
USB 3.2 Gen 1 port 2 per each controller
Form Factor 2U Rackmount
LED Indicators System Power LED, System Status, LCD Status Display
Buttons Power, Reset
Dimensions (HxWxD) 88.3 × 446.2 × 504.1 mm
Weight (Net) 23.4 kg
Weight (Gross) 27.4 kg
Operating Temperature 0 – 40 °C (32°F – 104°F)
Storage Temperature -20 – 70°C (-4°F – 158°F)
Relative Humidity 5-95% RH non-condensing, wet bulb: 27˚C (80.6˚F)
Power Supply Unit Redundant/ Hot Swap Power Vin:90~264VAC;700W
Power Consumption: Operating Mode, Typical 579.59 W
Fan Hot-swappable fan module (606038mm; 16000RPM/12v/2.8A x 3)
System Warning Buzzer
Standard Warranty 5
Max. Number of Concurrent Connections (CIFS) 10000
Safety Standard CE Mark, EN60950, BSMI, VCCI, CB, LVD