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I'm a computer building luddite who needs a NAS which is why I decided to go for a Qnap 464. I intend to use Seagate Ironwolf hd's.
My problem is that I'm not sure what to do with the M.2 slots or the Pcle expansion.
I want something that will act like the cloud for a business and my own family Netflix & Spotify. I don't foresee more than 5 users at any given moment.
Just tell me what to do with those two things to make it the most future proof and functional and I will sing your praises endlessly.
Gavin
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Great choice on the QNAP TS-464! It’s a solid NAS with plenty of features that can support both personal and business needs. Let’s walk through how you can make the most out of the M.2 slots and PCIe expansion for your setup.
1. M.2 Slots
The QNAP TS-464 has two M.2 NVMe slots, and these can be used for various purposes, depending on your priorities:
Cache Drives (Recommended): For faster access to frequently used files, you can install M.2 NVMe SSDs in these slots. Using the SSDs as cache will speed up read and write operations, especially if you plan to stream media or work with large files (e.g., video or databases) frequently. This will help future-proof your NAS, making it faster even as your storage needs grow.
Installation Recommendation: Look for NVMe SSDs with good endurance and performance, like Samsung 970 EVO Plus or Western Digital SN850. You don't need huge capacity for cache—typically, 500GB to 1TB would suffice.
2. PCIe Expansion
The PCIe expansion slot offers more flexibility for future upgrades. You have several options depending on your needs:
10GbE or 2.5GbE Network Card: If you expect to handle large files, or want faster network speeds, you can install a 10GbE or 2.5GbE NIC in the PCIe slot. This would significantly speed up data transfers, especially when accessing files over your network (important for a business setup).
Additional Storage via Expansion Card: If you plan to expand your storage further in the future, you could also use the PCIe slot for a SATA expansion card to add more hard drives to your NAS beyond the initial bays.
Backup/Redundancy: If your business setup involves heavy data backup or media streaming, consider a hardware RAID card or SSD expansion to further increase storage capacity or redundancy.
How to Optimize Your Setup for Cloud & Streaming
Cloud for Business & Family Use: For a cloud-like experience, set up QNAP’s Hybrid Backup Sync or Qsync for easy file syncing across devices. Use QNAP’s CloudLink for remote access so you can access files or media from anywhere. This will be crucial for business files and family media streaming.
Media Streaming: For Netflix and Spotify (or similar personal streaming), install Plex Media Server on your NAS. With 30TB of storage, you’ll have more than enough room to store all your media, and Plex will allow you to stream content on multiple devices (e.g., TV, phone, tablet) seamlessly.
Future-Proofing
The M.2 cache and PCIe expansion options will give you plenty of headroom for future upgrades. As your business grows and more people need access to the NAS, these components will allow for faster speeds, more storage, and enhanced reliability.
Final Advice
For the M.2 slots, add 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSDs for caching to improve performance.
Use the PCIe slot for a 10GbE network card (or 2.5GbE if budget is tight) to future-proof your network speed.
Set up Hybrid Backup Sync and Qsync for cloud-like functionality.
