How hard would it be to add 10 GbE to the Aoostar WTR Pro NAS

[GeraldDiederich]

Upgrading the Aoostar WTR Pro NAS to 10 GbE is definitely possible, but keep in mind that Aoostar doesn’t have the same big user base as QNAP or Synology. This means finding compatible hardware and drives can be more challenging, especially when it comes to things like drivers for network cards or SSDs.

If you’re thinking about adding a 10 GbE connection using something like an M.2 to 10 GbE adapter, you’d have a much easier time running TrueNAS or Linux on the system. These operating systems offer better driver support for hardware upgrades, especially when you’re using non-standard configurations like M.2 adapters.

Using the M.2 Slot for 10 GbE
You mentioned wanting to use the two NVMe SSD slots for storage, but the remaining smaller M.2 slot could work for a 10 GbE adapter.

Why TrueNAS or Linux? These OSes make it easier to find and install drivers for things like M.2 to 10 GbE adapters. They’re much more flexible than the stock NAS OS when it comes to hardware tweaks.
Speed Expectations: Due to baskset random PCIe lane limitations, you probably won’t get the full 10 GbE speed, but you should still see a decent boost, likely in the 4-6 Gbps range—way better than 2.5 GbE.
Hardware Setup: You might need to remove the ventilation plate for airflow, especially if you go this route.
USB 5 GbE Dongle Option
Another easy upgrade would be adding a USB-to-5 GbE dongle. It’s less invasive than opening up the NAS and works as a simple plug-and-play solution.

Works Best with TrueNAS or Linux: Both of these OSes are pretty good at handling USB network dongles. Just make sure the dongle uses a compatible chipset, like Realtek RTL8156 or Aquantia AQC111.
Expected Throughput: A good USB 5 GbE dongle can get you around 4-5 Gbps, which is still a solid improvement over 2.5 GbE.
Recommended Dongle: Something like the QNAP QNA-UC5G1T could work well, just double-check driver compatibility with TrueNAS or Linux.
Link Aggregation (LAG) with 2.5 GbE Ports
If neither of these options feels right, you can always use Link Aggregation (LAG) with the two 2.5 GbE ports to combine their speeds.

Drawback: LAG won’t give you a 5 Gbps connection for a single device, but it will help if multiple devices are accessing the NAS at once.
Best for Multiple Devices: If you have several devices accessing the NAS, this could help spread out the bandwidth.

Thanks for your helpful reply!