LAN ports
The number of LAN ports provided in the design of the NAS server.
LAN — a connector used for a wired connection to Ethernet local networks (the most common "local" format today, it is also used to access the Internet). For a relatively simple network (say, within a medium office),
one LAN port will be enough. However, models are produced where there are more than one such ports, mainly
2 and
4 connectors. They are designed for large networks divided into subnets with separate access to the NAS server: the presence of several LAN connectors allows you to connect each of the subnets directly without using a router. This simplifies the network architecture and optimizes the load.
CPU
The model and specifications of the processor installed in the NAS server. The speed of the device largely depends on these characteristics, primarily the clock frequency. However, in fact, this parameter is often more of a reference value: simple everyday tasks (say, FTP and print servers, see "Software Features") do not require high computing power. But for working with extensive databases (see ibid.), a “faster” processor may be useful.
CPU cores
The number of cores provided in the processor of the NAS server.
Initially, each core is a computing module designed to execute one sequence of instructions. Accordingly, multiple cores make it possible to work simultaneously with multiple data streams, which improves flow Rate - especially when processing multiple tasks at the same time. Also, in modern CPUs, multithreading technologies are increasingly being used, which allow loading each core with two sequences of commands at once. During the inevitable pauses in the execution of one of the threads, the kernel does not idle, but works with another sequence. As a result, the total number of threads in such processors is twice the number of cores; this scheme of work even more noticeably improves flow Rate.
It is also worth remembering that the overall capabilities of the processor are highly dependent on a number of other characteristics - microarchitecture, clock speed, support for special functions, etc. This means that a large number of cores does not in itself guarantee high flow Rate: for example, an inexpensive mobile
processor on 4 cores may well be "weaker" than an advanced desktop chip
with only 2 cores. However, if we are talking about a CPU with a similar specialization and clock speed, then a solution with a large number of cores (
6 cores,
8 cores, or ev
...en more) and multithreading support usually turns out to be more productive.RAM
The amount of RAM on the NAS server. Along with the processor, it is one of the indicators that determine the speed of the system — the more memory, the higher the computing power. However, in fact, it does not always make sense to chase large amounts of "RAM", which can reach
4 GB,
8 GB and even higher; see "Processor" for details.
Max. RAM
The maximum amount of RAM that can be installed on the NAS server. It depends, in particular, on the type of memory modules used, as well as on the number of slots for them.
RAM slots
The total number of slots for RAM modules provided in the device; in fact — the maximum number of slats that can be installed simultaneously in this model.
Features for upgrading RAM directly depend on this indicator. So, in low-cost models, there is often only 1 slot, and the only upgrade option is to replace the “native” bar. In more advanced devices, two or even four slots may be provided, while some of them may be free in the initial configuration.
Power consumption
The amount of power consumed by the NAS server during normal operation. Most often, we are talking about maximum power consumption — with all the occupied slots for drives, under high load.
Modern NAS, even high-performance ones, have rather modest power consumption — even among professional models with 10 or more drives, this figure rarely exceeds 1 kW. So there are no problems with connecting to a 230 V network. However, energy consumption information can be useful for some special applications, primarily for estimating the load on UPSs, emergency generators, stabilizers, and other special equipment.
