At first we would like to thank ASUSTOR for offering us a sample of their AS5102T NAS model for testing and reviewing.

 

 

 

About ASUSTOR:

 

“Founded in 2011, ASUSTOR Inc. is a leading innovator and provider of private cloud storage (network attached storage) and video surveillance (network video recorder) solutions. We are devoted to providing the world with unparalleled user experiences and the most complete set of network storage solutions possible.”

 

High performance technology

 

An Intel Celeron 2.0GHz Quad-core processor and 2GB DDR3L memory, provide premium, energy efficient processing power. With read/write speeds of up to 112 MB/s, the AS51 series’ excellent performance is sure to satisfy your storage application needs. Furthermore, when AS51 series devices need more computing power, they can increase the CPU computing power from the original 2.0 GHz to 2.41 GHz, providing a smooth and seamless experience.

 

Effortlessly upgrade memory

 

Depending on your usage preferences, you can decide whether or not you want to upgrade memory. AS50/51 devices provide users with the ability to flexibly upgrade memory so there is no need to worry about the memory before you purchasing the device. When upgrading memory, you simply need to remove the cover of the NAS to do it (There are 2 expansion memory slots in total. Memory can be expanded up to a maximum of 8GB.), letting you easily improve system performance and allowing your NAS to simultaneously run more Apps.

 

Metallic design

 

Different from other NAS devices on the market which feature plastic cases and suboptimal cooling, the AS50/51 devices feature aluminum casing along with a rust and corrosion resistant coating which combines with the metallic hard disk trays to fully make use of the natural cooling properties of metal. This significantly enhances the entire cooling ability of the system.

 

Secure Disk Tray Lock Design

 

In order to help users avoid accidentally pushing disk tray buttons and releasing hard disks during operation, ASUSTOR has added a new lock mechanism to its hard disk trays. The lock's flat-head design ensures that users will not need any special keys or tools to unlock it, only a simple flat-head screw driver. The new disks trays can be used with all ASUSTOR NAS devices, providing an additional layer of security for applications requiring the frequent swapping of hard disks (e.g., MyArchive).

 

Expand your storage space

 

A professional grade NAS needs to be equipped with a diverse array of expansion functionality. In addition to the 4 drive bays, we have also included 2 USB 2.0 ports, 3 USB 3.0 ports and 2 eSATA ports, allowing you to create a tailored storage space for both your work and entertainment needs.

AS50/51 devices emphasize the flexibility of expandable capacity, providing more expansion slots than any other devices in their class. With this many expansion slots, the only question that remains is how you are going to fill up all that storage space!

 

Save power to save money

 

ASUSTOR NAS products are designed and developed around ecologically friendly concepts. When in use, our devices consume far less power than the average computer or server. Furthermore, our advanced power control features allow you to more efficiently manage your NAS device and hard drives. This lowers your electric bill and prolongs the lifespan of your hard drives all at the same time.

While in disk hibernation, the AS5102T consumes only 8.7 W of power. Under normal operating conditions it still only consumes 17.7 W of power. Combined with the S3 instant wake function, this allows for a large degree of flexibility when configuring power schedules for your NAS, allowing you to significantly decrease the amount of power you use.

 

Increased reliability and speed

 

The built-in dual Ethernet ports combined with the link aggregation function, allows your NAS to maintain its connection even if one of your Ethernet connections fail, significantly decreasing the likelihood of unexpected disconnections. Additionally, link aggregation provides faster transfer speeds than a single connection could, along with load balancing which automatically balances network traffic load across the two connections, making it the optimal choice for users who require high speed reliability.

 

Create the Ultimate Home Multimedia Center

 

Enjoy electrifying digital entertainment on demand with ASUSTOR NAS. The built-in HDMI interface and variety of multimedia Apps let you to enjoy all of your favorite multimedia from your NAS by directly connecting it to an LCD/LED TV or amplifier.

 

ASUSTOR NAS supports Full HD (1080p) output, allowing you to savor your movies, TV shows, music and photos in high definition. What's more, through ASUSTOR's App Central, you can install additional multimedia server Apps such as UPnP Media Server and iTunes Server giving your NAS the ability to stream multimedia content to your computers, TVs and mobile devices.

 

Additionally, you can also further add a surround sound amplifier to create an unprecedented high definition multi-channel listening experience. Imagine watching your favorite racing movie and being immersed in the roar of the engines. Feel the thrill and the sense of speed as you listen to the sounds of cars whizzing by. Prepare for an unparalleled entertainment experience that will have you on the edge of your seat.

 

Even More Reliable After-Sales Service

 

ASUSTOR has extended the warranty period on all of its products to three years, continuing to make customer service a huge priority. It is ASUSTOR's mission to continue to provide its customers with products of the highest quality along with only the most reliable and attentive after-sales service and technical support.

 

Cross-platform File Sharing

 

ASUSTOR NAS devices provide seamless cross-platform file sharing, allowing you to easily connect to your NAS device no matter if you are using Windows, Mac OS, or Unix-like operating systems. The transfer protocols that you may use to connect to an ASUSTOR NAS device are as follows:

 

Windows: CIFS/SMB, FTP and WebDAV

Mac OS X: AFP, SMB, NFS, FTP and WebDAV

Linux: NFS, SMB, FTP and WebDAV

 

Additionally, ASUSTOR NAS devices feature our Network Recycle Bin. Any files you delete will be moved to the Recycle Bin, allowing you to restore any accidentally deleted files. Transfer protocols supported by the Recycle Bin include: CIFS/SMB, AFP, FTP and File Explorer.

 

High Quality Audio Output with S/PDIF

 

Turn your NAS into your digital music hub and let ASUSTOR's 50/51 Series devices take your local audio playback to another level. You can use SoundsGood or iTunes Server to play high quality digital music from your NAS and further combine it with S/PDIF high fidelity optical output for an unmatched listening experience that will truly bring your music to life.

 

Quick and Easy File Access

 

The built-in File Explorer App allows you to access the files on your NAS through a Web browser. Enjoy drag and drop file transfers along with a directory structure view that lets you easily organize your data. Accessing files on your NAS never been easier.

 

Create a Stable, Reliable and High Quality Surveillance System

 

The powerful 51 Series devices provide you with stress free reliability when installing a surveillance system in your home or office environment. Installing the Surveillance Center App from App Central instantly turns your NAS into 24/7, high definition surveillance system. Surveillance Center provides comprehensive cross-platform support, allowing both Windows and Mac users to use familiar web browsers to access their surveillance feeds. Furthermore, ASUSTOR also offers the free AiSecure mobile app that gives users access to all their surveillance feeds while on the go. AiSecure also provides the ability to receive instant push notifications from Surveillance Center, allowing users to keep up with the latest developments. No matter if you need to protect individual assets, loved ones or your business, the powerful 51 Series devices are your optimal choice when creating a comprehensive surveillance system.

 

 

Here we have another ASUSTOR NAS in our labs built with a solid Intel platform in order to be able to create our own multimedia cloud. At its core we have an Intel Celeron 2.0 quad-core processor with a maximum frequency of 2.41GHz and 2GB of RAM which is easy upgradable. The product is shipped inside a medium-sized cardboard box and for easy manipulation ASUSTOR saw fit to include a plastic handle:

 

 

 

One of the box laterals shows two product versions, but the one we are testing right now is the AS5102T one:

 

 

 

Some of the main product features are also seen on the packaging, along with the list of specifications:

 

 

 

A more detailed list of product features is also present on the box and translated into many languages:

 

 

 

ASUSTOR also describes the differences between the AS5002T and AS5102T so we would not make any confusion:

 

 

 

After lifting the top cover, ASUSTOR thanks us for the choice we have made regarding the purchase of the product and we are also invited to go to the “Downloads” section of their website:

 

 

 

In order to avoid damages during transit, the manufacturer has wrapped the product and its bundle in foam material:

 

 

 

The accessories are stored in a separate, smaller cardboard enclosure:

 

 

 

 

We will receive two LAN cables, one power lead, the power adapter but also screws for mounting both 2.5’’ and 3.5’’ drives:

 

 

 

The power adapter was manufactured by Delta Electronics and is rated on the output as 12V, 5A:

 

 

 

Besides the installation disk, we will also receive a small leaflet with instructions:

 

 

 

For even more protection, the NAS chassis was wrapped in a transparent plastic bag:

 

 

 

The chassis is very familiar to us when compared along with the previous servers from ASUSTOR:

 

 

 

The frontal area of the unit is made of plastic and is housing two drive trays; here we will find the rest of the interfaces, but let’s go in more detail:

 

 

 

On the top left corner we’ve got the Power button and LED along with the system status LED:

 

 

 

On the same line but further to the right we will be able to find the Infrared Receiver:

 

 

 

The unit is equipped with two LAN ports so we’ve got two separate LAN activity LEDs, while the USB 3.0 port in the front is paired with a button with LED for the USB copy function:

 

 

 

Both drive trays are equipped with locking mechanisms:

 

 

 

Each tray comes with LED indicators, which are mounted right on the NAS daughterboard:

 

 

 

On the left side of the unit we’ve got a ventilation grill:

 

 

 

The grill is not present on the right side though:

 

 

 

On the back side of the metallic chassis we have the remaining interfaces available:

 

 

 

The drives are cooled by a single silent 70mm fan:

 

 

 

On its right we will find the S/PDIF interface, one HDMI port and two eSATAs:

 

 

 

Further down, we have two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0, two LAN ports, one Reset button hole, the Kensington lock port but also the DC-IN port:

 

 

 

On the bottom area of the NAS chassis we will be able to find some extra stickers with serial numbers and product power rating, along with four small black rubber feet:

 

 

 

The trays look identical with the ones we have found with the AS5104T and are made from a combination of plastic and metal, for extra durability:

 

 

 

In the front of each tray we’ve got a ventilation grill:

 

 

 

 

The trays do not feature screw-less capabilities, so we need to use the supplied screws for both 2.5’’ and 3.5’’ drives:

 

 

 

 

Remember the LEDs we have seen on the front of each tray? These are brought from the NAS daughterboard to the front via two transparent plastic components:

 

 

 

By removing only three screws in the back, we can open up the NAS for servicing and cleaning purposes:

 

 

 

On the right side we’ve got the bay cage assembly and it shows that there is enough space between it and the back cooling fan for easy cleaning:

 

 

 

On the left side we’ve got the NAS motherboard, which is covered by a black plastic material:

 

 

 

There are cuts made in the material in order to replace the DDR3L SODIMM modules with ease; one 2GB module is pre-installed:

 

 

 

The other SODIMM slot is left empty:

 

 

 

On the top side of the unit we can observe the motherboard and the wires which link different interfaces to the back and frontal areas of the unit:

 

 

 

The Celeron quad-core processor is covered by a medium-sized aluminum heatsink:

 

 

 

For setting up the NAS for the first time, we can either use the internet browser wizard or the supplied Control Center application; we have two options when accessing the wizard, to work with the optimized, 1-Click Setup mode or with a Custom setup:

 

 

 

We will go ahead with the Custom setup and next we will be asked for the server name and new password:

 

 

 

The Time and Date settings must be then set up:

 

 

 

We have next the setup mode for the LAN interfaces:

 

 

 

The installed drives will be then detected and the NAS will request for the chosen RAID level; we will work with RAID0 for maximum performance on our trusty SSDs:

 

 

 

The wizard will then start applying the settings in different stages:

 

 

 

The Control Center Utility makes the installation process even easier because it will automatically detect the NAS on the network and from here we can access different functions:

 

 

 

After all setup is complete, we will be prompted to login to the server:

 

 

 

The server then checks via web if we have the latest software installed and will prompt for an update if needed:

 

 

 

We have checked if all is in order via the Storage Manager section:

 

 

 

Default shared folders are created automatically onto the volume:

 

 

 

The AS5102T NAS from ASUSTOR is powered by the latest ADM version, which is quite easy to operate and well organized; the desktop area looks similar to one we will find on tablets and installed applications will automatically create an icon here:

 

 

 

In the top right corner we can perform different actions to the NAS system:

 

 

 

A system-wide search “Searchlight” feature is also available:

 

 

 

Let’s go inside the main applications and see what we have available; the Access Control feature takes care of the Local Users, Local Groups and we can also define Domain Users, Domain Groups, work with the Shared Folders and define App Privileges:

 

 

 

There are plenty of default shared folders to which we can alter permissions:

 

 

 

 

From the Activity Monitor area, we can see the occupation of the resources including CPU time, Memory, Network, Disk usage and Running processes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After we register with an email address, we will be able to access the App Central section in order to add more modules to the unit:

 

 

 

The ASUSTOR applications are available in a separate tab:

 

 

 

From the Online Help module, we will be able to learn in more detail how to use each NAS ADM section:

 

 

 

Backup & Restore application will help us keep the data more secure by replicating the same information somewhere else:

 

 

 

The One Touch Backup function can be accessed from the same menu:

 

 

 

We can also backup the data from the NAS to Amazon S3 servers:

 

 

 

Plugged in external devices are shown in a separate section like external USB drives, printers, Wi-Fi adapters and so on:

 

 

 

From the File Explorer menu, we can manipulate the data from the available shared folders, external drives, virtual devices, access the Network Recycle Bin but also work with the Share Link Manager:

 

 

 

Here are some tasks we can perform to a single file:

 

 

 

From the Services section we can enable the ones which are needed in our network environment and disable the others:

 

 

 

 

Web Server services are needed to be enabled for specific application modules:

 

 

 

From the Settings menu we can modify system-wide options; in the General tab we have the option to modify the access ports of the GUI but we can also change the sign-in page style:

 

 

 

 

The Network tab allows working with the network interfaces configuration, but also lets us adjust Proxy settings:

 

 

 

 

We can also configure VPN services:

 

 

 

The Regional Options menu comes with the Date & Time sub-section, Time Zone configuration and also from here we can customize the system Language:

 

 

 

The Hardware menu comes with the LED settings, Buzzer settings and we can also disable the Reset button functionality if needed:

 

 

 

The Energy Control menu takes care of Disk Hibernation and Sleep mode:

 

 

 

From the Power menu we can enable or disable EuP mode, configure the NAS behavior after a power loss or WOL, but also set up Power Scheduling:

 

 

 

The Fan Control tab allows us to choose a default fan profile:

 

 

 

The Notification menu helps us configure the notification methods but also work with the Push Notification settings:

 

 

 

ADM Defender takes care of the firewall settings:

 

 

 

The ADM Update menu allows us to perform automatic system updates, but also manual by specifying the firmware file to upload from our computer:

 

 

 

Network Recycle Bin is helpful when we delete files on our network by mistake:

 

 

 

Energy Saver can help us configure the power management features of the server:

 

 

 

The Ease of Access menu allows us to work with Cloud Connect, EZ-Router and DDNS functionality:

 

 

 

Factory Defaults can be restored from the next menu:

 

 

 

The Registration page shows the email address we have logged in to App Central:

 

 

 

Coming back to Storage Manager, we are able to define new volumes, remove the current ones, define spare drives and more:

 

 

 

Storage Manager can also display Disk information or work with the iSCSI service:

 

 

 

The System Information tab will display software version, BIOS version, current system time, the registered email address, installed CPU, total memory quantity, product serial number, system temperature, CPU temperature and current fan speed:

 

 

 

From the Network tab we will see the network configuration:

 

 

 

The Log area shows what is happening “under the hood”:

 

 

 

Online User info will be displayed in the next tab:

 

 

 

Finally we have the Dr. ASUSTOR wizard will help us optimize the system:

 

 

 

The ASUSTOR Portal menu helps us to customize the HDMI interface, right from the ADM GUI:

 

 

 

 

 

We can also set up a screensaver for the Portal in order to avoid screen burn-in problems:

 

 

 

The Download Center module helps us with download tasks and also supports drag and drop:

 

 

 

The SoundsGood application will index the audio content from our NAS and display it nicely organized; this software also makes use of the S/PDIF interface:

 

 

 

 

The iTunes Server settings can be customized from its own module; here we can also specify the sound output interface or the folders which should be indexed for this service:

 

 

 

 

Dropbox sync can be also initialized by using the appropriate application:

 

 

 

Takeasy is a fantastic module which allows us to save to our drive our preferred video clips by just copy-pasting the link and choosing the desired quality:

 

 

 

ASUS WebStorage can be also accessed by entering up the necessary credentials:

 

 

 

Avast Anti-Virus module is also available but in order to use it we will have to register for free on their website:

 

 

 

On the AS5102T we can also install uTorrent Remote:

 

 

Of course, we can always install Plex too for indexing our media collection from the NAS:

 

 

After the movies have been indexed, necessary info will be also extracted from the web for a nicer presentation:

 

 

The same thing we can say about TV Shows and Music items:

 

 

With the Photo Gallery module we can upload to the NAS our favorite photos in order to create albums:

 

 

Each photo will be shown with extra details and we can also initiate slideshows, add tags and so on:

 

 

LooksGood is another interesting module from ASUSTOR which handles TV Recordings, comes with a Media Explorer but also is equipped with a Media Converter:

 

 

 

The recorded shows via tuner will show in the TV Recordings section:

 

 

 

We also have the possibility to search for the files in a custom location by browsing thanks to the Media Explorer integrated application:

 

 

 

Once we click on one video file, it will start playback in a separate browser tab, thanks to the VLC plugin:

 

 

 

The converter is useful for streaming the files at a lower resolution in order to support lots of devices and save bandwidth when needed; we can also configure a “smart folder” so when new videos are detected in that specific folder, the NAS will automatically convert them to a specific resolution:

 

 

 

The transcoding feature will take a while depending on the settings and the current status will be shown in the Media Converter window:

 

 

 

As we can see, the converted file to 480p from 1080P takes much less space on the drive:

 

 

 

An info tab can be also accessed for finding different details on the video file:

 

 

 

Now it is time to look a bit at the HDMI interface; as soon as the NAS boots up, we will be presented with a simple but nice looking GUI for navigating through the installed modules, without the need of using a PC; we can either use the ASUSTOR remote or a regular keyboard/mouse combo:

 

 

 

 

The settings which were available in the ASUSTOR Portal section can be also modified here;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADM can be also accessed here with ease, which will open inside a new Chrome window:

 

 

 

 

Chrome can be also used for browsing our favorite websites:

 

 

 

 

The Youtube module opens up the platform with the interface we can also see along smart TVs:

 

 

 

 

The highly-acclaimed Popcorn Time module is also present here so we can watch the latest movies via the BitTorrent standard:

 

 

 

With the PPSSPP module we can load PSP ISOs and play them on our NAS:

 

 

 

KODI (XBMC) is also available for browsing our multimedia collection with ease:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test Setup

 

CPU : Intel I7 3750K Retail @ 4.7GHz

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14

Motherboard : ASRock Z77 OC

RAM : GeIL EVO CORSA 16GB 2400MHz C11

(2GB Exceleram DDR1333 for NASPT compatibility)

Video : Sparkle GeForce GTX 560 Calibre

Power Supply : Cooler Master 850W

HDD : OCZ Vertex 4 256GB SSD

Case: Cooler Master ATCS840

 

To test the NAS performances, the ASUSTOR AS5102T NAS was populated with one OCZ Vertex 4 SSD along with one KingFast SLC E-Drive in RAID 0, formatted with a single volume and the NAS was connected directly to the computer, to avoid any limitations by implying additional hardware like a router. The first simple test was performed by loading the test file onto a RAM drive and then it was copied to the NAS, on its shared folder. The speed was recorded with Total Commander:

 

 

The second test was to copy the same file back to the computer; for eliminating any HDD speed limitations, the file was copied back to the RAM drive:

 

 

For performing a more advanced test, the Intel NAS Performance Toolkit was used, for performing 5 different test runs. Here are the results:

 

 

As extras, we have also included ATTO Disk Benchmark and Anvil:

 

ATTO Disk Benchmark

 

 

Anvil

We have performed the same benchmarks but this time with the encryption turned on:

 

Total Commander Copy Performance

 

 

Total Commander Read Performance

 

 

Intel NAS Performance Toolkit

 

ATTO Disk Benchmark

 

Anvil Utilities

 

AS5102T 2-bay NAS from ASUSTOR is undoubtedly the AS5104T little brother and while it loses the LCD display and two extra bays, most of the other features are included like the solid chassis, the Intel Celeron J1900 CPU, upgradeable memory feature (up to 8GB), lockable trays with the help of a screwdriver or plenty of expansion ports. The metallic chassis is also present here for extended durability, while the drives and motherboard are cooled by a single silent 70mm fan. Thanks to the included HDMI port, the product can be used without a PC by simply using the ASUSTOR remote or a keyboard/mouse combo which can be plugged via USB.

 

Speaking of the ADM software, it is quite solid, easy to use and can be upgraded with plenty of extra free modules which can be found in the included store. The notable modules are the backup ones for storing the same data in multiple places, the YouTube video ripping module, KODI, Plex, PPSSPP but also the highly-acclaimed Popcorn Time torrent-streaming application for our favorite movies and TV Shows. Of course, we also have 3rd party modules from different vendors concerning social networking, web hosting services, ticketing system, project management, office productivity and many more.

 

The two-bay mini-server can be found online for about 444 Euros; our sample provider was ELKOTech Romania SRL in Romania so here are more details for purchasing the product here:

 

Link of ELKO: http://www.elko.ro

 

MSRP of AS5102T: 2179 RON

 

Point of purchase:

 

http://www.pcgarage.ro/asustor/

 

http://www.it-shirt.ro/rezultate-cautare.html?categorieFiltru=&cuvant_cheie=asustor

 

ASUSTOR AS-5102T 2-bay NAS is Recommended For:

 

We would like to thank again to ASUSTOR for making this review possible!