TerraMaster f4-424-pro-16g

TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro NAS Storage – 4Bay Core i3-N305 8-Core 8-Thread CPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 2.5GbE Port x 2, Network Attached Storage Peak Performance for Business (Diskless) Black

Description

The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro-16G is a high-performance 4-bay network-attached storage (NAS) device designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It features an Intel Core i3 8-core processor, 16 GB of DDR5 memory, dual 2.5 GbE network ports, and dual M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching, delivering fast, reliable shared storage and efficient data access for multiple users and applications.

Key Specifications

Core System

• Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-N305 (8 cores, 8 threads; up to 3.8 GHz turbo)

• Memory: 16 GB DDR5 non-ECC (1× 16 GB SODIMM)

• Max Memory: Up to 32 GB DDR5

Storage

• Drive Bays: 4 × SATA (3.5″/2.5″ HDD or 2.5″ SSD)

• Maximum Raw Capacity: Up to ~88 TB (22 TB per bay)

• Hot-Swap Support: Yes

• M.2 Slots: 2 × M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 ×1) for SSD caching

Connectivity

• Network: 2 × 2.5 GbE RJ-45 (supports link aggregation up to ~5 Gb/s)

• USB Ports: 2 × USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps)

• HDMI: 1 × HDMI 2.0b

Media & Features

• Hardware Transcoding: H.264, H.265, MPEG-4, VC-1 up to 4K60

• Hardware Encryption: AES-NI support

Software & RAID

• OS: TerraMaster TOS (Linux-based)

• Supported File Protocols: SMB/AFP/NFS/FTP/SFTP/WebDAV and more

• RAID Types: TRAID, Single, JBOD, RAID 0/1/5/6/10

• SSD Cache & Hot Spare: Supported

Power & Design

• Power Consumption: ~33 W (active)

• Dimensions: ~222 × 179 × 154 mm

• Noise Level: ~21 dB(A)

Key Features

1. High-Performance Intel Processor

The F4-424 Pro is powered by an Intel® Core™ i3-N305 8-core, 8-thread CPU with a turbo frequency up to 3.8 GHz. This x86-based processor delivers strong computing performance that handles simultaneous tasks efficiently — from file serving to virtualization and database workloads — making the unit suitable for demanding business environments.

2. Large, Fast DDR5 Memory

It comes with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM running at high speed (4800 MHz), which significantly improves responsiveness for applications and system tasks. The memory can be expanded up to 32 GB to support heavier workloads, more simultaneous users, or additional services running on the NAS.

3. Dual 2.5 GbE Network Ports with Link Aggregation

Equipped with two 2.5 GbE RJ-45 network interfaces, this NAS supports link aggregation to combine both ports for up to ~5 Gb/s bandwidth, greatly enhancing data transfer speeds in multi-user environments. This is ideal for offices where many users access large files at once.

4. Four Hot-Swappable Drive Bays

The unit features 4 SATA drive bays that support 3.5″ HDDs and 2.5″ SSDs. These bays are tool-free and hot-swappable, making it easy to install or replace drives without shutting down the NAS — perfect for live business environments.

5. Dual M.2 NVMe Slots for SSD Caching

There are two M.2 NVMe slots built in for SSD caching. Using SSD cache can dramatically improve read/write speeds for frequently accessed data, boosting overall system performance and responsiveness of storage pools without replacing all drives.

6. Versatile RAID Support

The F4-424 Pro supports a range of RAID configurations including Single, JBOD, RAID 0/1/5/6/10 and TerraMaster’s proprietary TRAID, giving flexibility for balancing performance, redundancy, or usable capacity depending on your needs.

7. Hardware Encryption & Transcoding

The processor includes AES-NI hardware encryption, which offloads encryption tasks from the CPU to secure data without slowing down performance. It also supports hardware decoding/transcoding for common video codecs up to 4K60, useful if you run media server applications.

 8. User-Friendly Installation Design

The NAS is designed with ease of use in mind: tool-free hard drive trays, Push-Lock trays that secure drives automatically when inserted, and a side sliding cover for quick M.2 SSD access — making installation and maintenance fast and simple.

9. Robust Software & Network Service Support

Running TerraMaster’s TOS (Linux-based) OS, the NAS supports a wide range of file protocols (SMB, NFS, AFP, FTP/SFTP, WebDAV), domain services (Windows AD, LDAP), and network features like VPN, remote access, and cloud sync. This makes it adaptable to different IT environments and enterprise workflows.

10. Comprehensive Storage & Backup Features

Built-in services include snapshot backups, rsync, centralized backup, USB backup, and compatibility with common backup targets like Time Machine and cloud storage. These features help protect your data and make recovery easier in case of hardware issues or accidental deletions.

Applications

1. Centralized File Storage & Sharing

The NAS acts as a central repository for files, allowing teams to store, organize, and access documents from anywhere on the network. Instead of keeping files on individual computers, everyone connects to the NAS to access shared data — improving collaboration and reducing duplicate copies.

Best for: Small businesses, departments, and team projects.

2. Cross-Platform File Access

It supports standard file sharing protocols such as SMB/CIFS (Windows), AFP (Mac), NFS (Linux), and WebDAV. This means users on different operating systems can seamlessly access and modify files stored on the NAS without compatibility issues.

Best for: Mixed OS environments (Windows, macOS, Linux).

3. Secure Backup & Disaster Recovery

TerraMaster NAS can centralize backups from multiple devices. You can configure scheduled backups from PCs, servers, virtual machines, and mobile devices. Snapshots and versioning help restore data if files are accidentally deleted or corrupted.

Best for: Businesses that need data protection and recovery options.

4. Media Server & Streaming

The built-in transcoding capabilities allow the NAS to function as a media server, delivering videos, music, and photos to smart TVs, mobile devices, or streaming clients such as Plex, DLNA, and UPnP. It can transcode high-resolution videos (like 4K) on-the-fly for compatible devices.

Best for: Media libraries, creative teams, or home entertainment setups.

5. Virtualization Storage Support

The F4-424 Pro can serve as backend storage for virtual machines (VMs) running on hypervisors like VMware ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V. Its SATA/NVMe storage performance and RAID configurations can deliver reliable and redundant VM storage.

Best for: IT environments running test labs or lightweight server instances.

 6. Multi-User Collaboration

With link aggregation and a powerful CPU, the NAS supports multiple users reading/writing data simultaneously without serious slowdowns. Access controls and user/group permissions help manage who can view or edit certain files.

Best for: Teams working on shared documents and projects.

 7. Cloud Sync & Hybrid Cloud

TerraMaster’s TOS offers built-in support for synchronizing data with major cloud storage services. This lets you keep critical data synchronized between local NAS and cloud accounts, combining local speed with cloud redundancy.

Best for: Businesses relying on both local infrastructure and cloud backup.

 8. Surveillance Storage

The NAS can act as a recording server for IP cameras, storing and managing video footage from security systems. With its performance and drive redundancy, it’s suitable for continuous recording and playback.

Best for: Small offices, shops, or home security setups with multiple cameras.

 9. Application Hosting & Services

You can install container or application packages directly on the NAS — for example, Docker containers, databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL), web servers, FTP servers, VPN servers, and more. The powerful CPU and ample RAM make this feasible without external servers.

Best for: Small office services, web apps, internal tools.

10. Data Archiving & Compliance

For organizations with retention policies, the NAS offers features to organize and archive older files, with storage policies to keep data for compliance purposes or long-term retention.

Best for: Legal, administrative, and regulated industries that must retain records.