TerraMaster f2-423

TERRAMASTER F2 – 423 2-Bay High Performance NAS for SMB with N5095 Quad-core CPU, 4GB DDR4 Memory, 2x 2.5GbE Ports, Network Storage Server (Diskless) (2 Bay Quad-core NAS)

Description

The F2‑423 is a 2‑bay high‑performance NAS — essentially a dedicated storage server that connects to your local network so multiple users and devices can store, share, back up, and stream data centrally. It does not come with hard drives pre‑installed (“diskless”), so you add your own drives.

Key Specifications

• Processor: Intel® Celeron® N5095 quad‑core @ 2.0 GHz (up to ~2.9 GHz) — x86‑based CPU with AES‑NI and 4K video decode support.

• Memory: 4 GB DDR4 (non‑ECC) installed, expandable up to 32 GB (two SODIMM slots).

• Drive Bays: 2 × SATA 3.5″/2.5″ HDD or SSD (RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, TRAID).

• Max Storage: Up to ~40 TB of raw internal storage (e.g., 2 × 20 TB drives).

• NVMe Slots: 2 × M.2 NVMe slots for caching (helps speed up storage performance).

• Network: Dual 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports with Link Aggregation support (up to ~5 Gb/s total).

• Ports: USB 3.x, HDMI (depending on retailer).

• OS: Runs TerraMaster’s Linux‑based TOS (TerraMaster Operating System).

Capabilities & Features

✔ High‑performance file services — SMB, AFP, NFS, iSCSI, FTP/SFTP, WebDAV.
✔ Backup & sync functions — multiple backup apps for PCs, servers, and virtual machines.
✔ Multimedia streaming & 4K support — compatible with UPnP/DLNA and third‑party media apps.
✔ Flexible RAID & storage options — supports capacity expansion and RAID migrations.
✔ Across‑platform access — integrates with Windows domains, LDAP, and varied client OSes.

Advantages

1. Good Performance for the Price

• The Intel Celeron N5095 quad‑core CPU handles multiple users, file serving, backups, and light virtualization better than many ARM‑based NAS units.

• Dual 2.5 GbE network ports (with link aggregation) give faster local network throughput than typical 1 GbE NAS devices.

2. Flexible Storage Options

• 2 drive bays let you mix and match HDDs or SSDs.

• Supports RAID 0 (speed), RAID 1 (data protection), JBOD, and TRAID for flexible allocation.

• Two NVMe caching slots can significantly speed up file access and responsiveness.

3. Expandable Memory

• Comes with 4 GB DDR4 RAM that can be expanded (often up to 32 GB), improving multitasking, apps, and performance.

4. Rich Feature Set

• Standard NAS services: SMB, NFS, AFP, FTP/SFTP, WebDAV.

• Backup tools for computers, servers, and virtual machines.

• Media serving and streaming via UPnP/DLNA and third‑party apps.

• Support for containers and third‑party applications through TOS (TerraMaster OS).

5. Faster Networking

• Dual 2.5 GbE ports — if your network supports it, you’ll see much faster file transfers than with 1 GbE systems.

• Link aggregation combines ports for even higher throughput in compatible switches.

6. Energy Efficient & Quiet

• Lower‑power CPU means less energy use and heat versus full server hardware.

• Good choice for always‑on storage without noisy fans.

7. Multi‑User Sharing & Access Control

• Works well for shared storage in small teams or families.

• Integrates with Windows domains / LDAP for user and permission management.

8. Value‑Oriented Compared to Higher‑End Brands

• Often costs less than comparable models from big brands (e.g., Synology, QNAP) while offering competitive hardware.

• You can add larger drives later without needing a full upgrade.

9. NVMe Caching Gets You Near SSD Performance

• If you install NVMe drives just for cache, overall performance — especially for random access or multiple small files — improves noticeably.

10. Expandable with Apps

• TOS ecosystem includes apps for:

  • Backups

  • Media servers

  • Web servers

  • Containers

  • Surveillance systems

 Use Cases

• Centralized file storage for homes or small offices

• Network backups for PCs/servers

• Media server (streaming videos/photos over LAN)

• Lightweight virtualization, containers, and NAS apps via TOS