I normally advocate funds dwelling NAS servers when you’re simply getting began with the class; they provide you a terrific overview of what is obtainable with storage servers, and the affordability means you do not have to speculate an excessive amount of money to get began. There is no scarcity of selection on this regard, and lately, ASUSTOR has delivered plenty of good choices within the entry-level and funds classes.
The AS3302T v2 is its newest displaying, and it ticks plenty of the precise containers. It’s powered by Realtek’s RTD1619B platform and is noticeably sooner than its predecessor, and also you get 2GB of RAM, 8GB embedded flash storage, and three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports.
The important thing speaking level is the connectivity; the AS3302T v2 has a single 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port on the again, and that provides it a definite benefit over nearly every other NAS on this section. ASUSTOR routinely provides multi-Gigabit connectivity on its mid-range servers just like the AS5402T, however to see a 2.5GbE port on this section is a welcome transfer. The AS3302T v2 retails for $269 on Amazon, so it goes up in opposition to the likes of the DiskStation DS224+.
You do not normally see any main design adjustments with NAS servers, and ASUSTOR did not change the general aesthetic to any noticeable diploma with the AS3302T v2. The NAS has the identical design as a lot of the model’s 2-bay servers, with a magnetic panel overlaying the drive bays.
The panel has a geometrical sample and the ASUSTOR brand, and it attaches securely to the NAS. The twin drive bays have a tool-less set up — which hasn’t all the time been the case with ASUSTOR — and so they slot in customary 3.5-inch drives or 2.5-inch drives.
There’s the same old array of standing indicators situated under the ability button to the left, and on the entire, the AS3302T v2 has a well-known design. The construct high quality is sweet, and the fan on the again ensures the drives do not overheat underneath heavy masses. What’s good to see is that ASUSTOR provides the identical three-year guarantee as its mid-range servers.
ASUSTOR is normally beneficiant with port choice, however the AS3302T v2 would not have an HDMI port or twin Ethernet connectivity. That is not an enormous omission given that you simply get a 2.5GbE port on the again, and apart from that, there are two USB ports together with a USB-A connector on the entrance.
ASUSTOR continues to be utilizing a Realtek platform with the AS3302T v2, however the RTD1619B goes as much as 1.7GHz, and is an effective selection. It is not fairly as highly effective because the Intel Celeron-backed merchandise on this class, however as a every day workhorse, I did not see any points. You get a local Plex utility, and once more, it’s ok to stream content material to linked gadgets on your private home community.
The AS3302T v2 has 2GB of soldered reminiscence, and there is not a slot so as to add extra down the road must you want it. Equally, you do not get M.2 slots, so if you wish to use SSD storage, you will must get 2.5-inch drives as an alternative. Whereas 2GB of RAM is ample in every day use, I’d have favored the flexibility to increase the reminiscence, however the greater omission is NVMe storage.
That stated, the AS3302T v2 has lots to supply in its personal proper, and ASUSTOR’s software program comes with a ton of helpful options. You get container administration, video and audio utilities designed to make it straightforward to entry your media assortment from wherever, and again up very important information with ease.
I slotted in two 6TB IronWolf drives into the AS3302T v2, and the two.5GbE connection is ready to maximize the bandwidth of the drives — I routinely noticed transfers averaging 214MB/s. Hyperlink Aggregation would have achieved related outcomes, however I like that there is multi-Gigabit connectivity as customary.
I might nonetheless desire the DiskStation DS224+ on this class because it has higher software program and standout cell purchasers — it continues to be the greatest dwelling NAS server round. Having stated that, the AS3302T v2 is an effective different if you wish to maximize worth.
The AS3302T v2 has first rate {hardware} upgrades and a pair of.5GbE connectivity, making it a powerful contender on this class.
