QNAP TS-855X 8-Bay NAS Enclosure

Overview

The QNAP TS-855X-8G-US is an eight-bay network attached storage enclosure designed to serve as a reliable central hub for file storage, backups, and virtualization tasks. It features an Intel Atom C5125 processor with eight cores running at 2.8 GHz and comes with 8 GB of DDR4 memory, expandable up to 128 GB, providing ample power for demanding workloads. The enclosure supports a mix of six 3.5-inch and two 2.5-inch SATA III drives, allowing users to balance capacity and performance by combining hard drives and solid state drives. It also offers flexible networking options and robust data protection features, making it suitable for growing teams and small to midsize organizations.

Key features

• Choice between QTS and ZFS-based QuTS hero operating systems to match different administrative preferences and workflows
• Flexible storage configuration with six 3.5-inch and two 2.5-inch SATA III bays, plus two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x4 slots for NVMe SSD caching to boost performance without sacrificing front bay space
• Built-in networking includes one 10 GbE RJ45 port and two 2.5 GbE ports for high-speed data transfer, failover, or dedicated services
• Two PCIe 3.0 x4 expansion slots support optional cards such as 5 GbE, 10 GbE, 25 GbE, QM2, or Fibre Channel, enabling future-proof connectivity upgrades
• Hardware AES-NI encryption and Intel QuickAssist Technology accelerate security and compression tasks without impacting system speed
• Snapshot technology, multi-version backup, and remote replication provide comprehensive data protection and quick recovery options against accidental deletion or ransomware
• Capable of running virtual machines, containers, and Linux applications, supporting diverse IT environments and workloads

Key specs

• Processor: Intel Atom C5125, 8 cores, 2.8 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB DDR4 installed, expandable to 128 GB
• Drive bays: Six 3.5-inch SATA III and two 2.5-inch SATA III
• M.2 slots: Two PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe SSD slots for caching
• Networking: One 10 GbE RJ45 port, two 2.5 GbE ports
• Expansion: Two PCIe 3.0 x4 slots for optional network or storage cards
• Storage pool capacity: Up to 250 TB
• RAID support: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, and JBOD

Connectivity and compatibility

The TS-855X-8G-US offers versatile connectivity options to fit into various network environments. Its built-in 10 GbE and 2.5 GbE ports provide fast and reliable data transfer for demanding applications, while the PCIe expansion slots allow adding higher-speed or specialized network cards as needed. This flexibility ensures compatibility with existing infrastructure and supports future upgrades without replacing the entire unit.

• One 10 GbE RJ45 port for primary high-speed network access
• Two 2.5 GbE ports for additional network links, failover, or dedicated services
• Two PCIe 3.0 x4 slots compatible with 5 GbE, 10 GbE, 25 GbE, QM2, or Fibre Channel cards

Performance and reliability

Powered by an eight-core Intel Atom processor and expandable DDR4 memory, this NAS enclosure handles virtualization, containerized applications, and real-time data services with ease. The hardware encryption engine and Intel QuickAssist Technology maintain security and compression efficiency without slowing down operations. RAID configurations and snapshot backups add layers of data protection, ensuring your information remains safe and accessible even in the event of hardware failure or cyber threats.

Ideal uses and environments

This NAS enclosure fits well in creative studios managing large media files, offices requiring centralized user folders and virtual machines, or edge locations collecting and syncing data to the cloud. Its combination of scalable storage, high-speed networking, and enterprise-grade security makes it a strong choice for small and midsize organizations aiming to start with a solid foundation and expand as their data needs grow.