INTRODUCTION

   We may have pointed it out quite a few times in the past but NAS servers have made their way into thousands of homes all over the world. Now as some of you are aware many years ago NAS servers were used just as centralized network storage in small and large businesses but as technology advanced so did NAS servers allowing them to take on many new roles. So leaving out the centralized storage use (which still applies) currently NAS servers can also be used as web servers (for website hosting), email servers (which not only send and receive but also filter and even check incoming messages for viruses), download servers (used to download data both directly via HTTP/FTP and/or via torrent), cloud storage servers, media servers (can share/seed media wired and wirelessly to computers and smartphones), network video recorders (IP camera compatibility grows longer each day), virtualization stations (allows the NAS to be used with different operating systems) and even as media players. The AS6302T All-In-One NAS is the latest model by ASUSTOR in their Home to Power User line and since it comes packed with a good number of features we asked if we could check it out and we did.

   Founded in 2011, ASUSTOR Inc. was established via direct investment from ASUSTeK Computer Inc. The ASUSTOR brand name was created as a portmanteau of “ASUS” and “Storage”. ASUSTOR is a leading innovator and provider of private cloud storage (network attached storage) and video surveillance (network video recorder) solutions, also specializing in the development and integration of related firmware, hardware and applications. We are devoted to providing the world with unparalleled user experiences and the most complete set of network storage solutions possible.

   Under the hood of the brand new 6302T dual-bay NAS ASUSTOR has paired the brand new Intel Celeron J3355 dual-core CPU clocked at 2GHz (64-Bit model with 2MB of L2 cache, 10W TDP and a burst speed of up to 2.5GHz - includes Intel HD Graphics 500 with a base frequency of 250MHz and 700MHz burst) with a total of 2GB SO-DIM DDR3L RAM running at 1866MHz (dual channel - expandable to 8GB). In terms of available connectors the AS6302T features four USB 3.0 ports (including one Type-C port), HDMI v2.0 port (4k playback supported), S/PDIF digital audio output and two RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports (support link aggregation) while the two 3.5/2.5" drive bays can be configured in single, JBOD, RAID 0 and RAID 1 modes. We do have concerns about the 2GB of SO-DIMM DDR3 RAM ASUSTOR decided to use (we recommend 4GB especially when 4k playback is a strong selling point) so since the only way of really finding out is moving forward with our review let’s do exactly that.