SSD-aware Storage | Keep ahead of the business competition

SSD cache acceleration

Uncompromising performance for demanding applications

Adding an SSD cache to a QNAP NAS is an easy way to increase the performance of your storage - especially IOPS-demanding applications. You can launch, stop, or change settings to meet your needs at any moment without shutting down the system.

» Learn more: SSD caching

Write-only cache

Dedicate resources to boost write-intensive applications, such as media storage and IoT (Internet of Things) log services to enjoy maximized ROI on SSDs.
RAID 5/6 SSD caches

RAID 5/6 configurations for sequential-access applications or a read-only cache can provide performance similar to a RAID 10 SSD cache along with more caching space.
Global SSD cache

Global SSD cache acceleration can share a single SSD volume/RAID with all volumes/iSCSI LUNs for a read-only or read-write cache.

Software-defined SSD extra over-provisioning

Potentially attain enterprise-grade SSD performance levels from affordable consumer SSDs

With cutting-edge “software-defined SSD extra over-provisioning” technology, QNAP NAS unleashes the full potential of SSDs and is transformed into true SSD-aware storage.

» Learn more: SSD Extra Over-provisioning

Optimize SSD random write speeds
Extend SSD lifespan with higher endurance
Add up to 60% over-provisioning
Identify the optimum over-provisioning ratio with the SSD Profiling Tool

Qtier technology drives Auto Tiering

Constant optimization of data across storage tiers

Qtier™ technology automatically moves data between high-performance SSDs, SAS drives and high-capacity SATA disks based on access frequencies, allowing you to enjoy exceptional application performance and lower TCO of storage at the same time.

» Learn more: Qtier
Qtier maximizes the value of SSDs

Qtier’s IO-aware feature empowers SSD tiered storage to not only store active data but also reserve a cache-like space to handle burst I/O in real time, beneficial for maximizing the advantages of SSDs for both optimal capacity and performance.

» Learn more: Qtier for SSD

Multiple volumes & LUNs

Various volume and LUN types to meet different application needs

You can create multiple volumes on the storage pool for various applications in typical business environments with different workgroups. Volume sizes can also be shrunk, ensuring your NAS can adapt to changing needs.

Static Volume

Static Volumes are created directly on a RAID group. They give the best performance for random file access (up to 20% faster than other disk volumes). This option is suitable for creating high-performance storage spaces for file sharing or online collaboration.
Thick Volume

Thick Volumes are created from pre-allocated storage pool space. The capacity is reserved and expandable. This option is suitable for general usage.
Thin Volume

Thin Volumes can be created with more space than the usable storage capacity, and take physical space from the storage pool only as data is written to the volume. Thin provisioning maximizes storage utilization and is useful for dynamic storage spaces and limited storage shared by multiple users.
Block-based iSCSI LUN

Besides storing data, the volume can be utilized as an iSCSI LUN. The block-level iSCSI LUN provides less overhead which improves overall read/write performance. It also supports virtualization applications (such as VAAI thin provisioning and storage reclaim and Microsoft® ODX) as an ideal choice for iSCSI storage solution.

Note: Thin volumes require close attention to storage utilization to prevent downtime due to insufficient storage space. Space of thin volumes means the maximized potential capacity. Other volumes may utilize the physical space. If the usable space is insufficient for snapshot restoration, recovering snapshot will not function.

RAID 50/60

Balances capacity, protection and performance

When using a NAS with over 10 drives, RAID 50/60 not only provides greater data protection than a single RAID 5/6, but also maximizes usable storage space compared to RAID 10. Besides data storage, RAID 50/60 also offers a great choice for professional video streaming and database usage.

Comprehensive RAID types supported by QNAP NAS

RAID Type	RAID 5	RAID 6	RAID 10	RAID 50	RAID 60
Number of Disks	At least 3	At least 4	At least 4	At least 6	At least 8
Number of Disk Faults Tolerated	1	2	1 in each sub-array	1 in each sub-array	2 in each sub-array
Number of Disks
Capacity
Ideal Usage	General applications	General applications	VDI hosting and database	High-frequency backup	High-capacity VDI or media editing

The fault tolerance of RAID 50/60 depends on the number of RAID groups.
RAID 50/60 is highly recommended for NAS models with more than 10 drives.

Storage expansion

Seamless, flexible, and economical

QNAP provides several ways to expand NAS storage as needed to accommodate data and business growth.

VJBOD

Use VJBOD (Virtual JBOD) to expand your storage capacity by using the unused storage of other QNAP NAS. Up to 8 QNAP NAS can be mounted as local disks on the host NAS.

» Learn more: VJBOD
Attach Expansion Enclosures

Connect one or more QNAP expansion enclosures for seamless capacity expansion.

» Learn more: Storage Expansion Compatibility
Migrate to a New NAS

Install your NAS hard drives into a larger QNAP NAS and retain all your existing data and configurations.

» Learn more: Migrating from an old NAS
Migrate to a New NAS

Hot swap lower-capacity drives with larger-capacity drives.

» Learn more: Online RAID Capacity Upgrade

Discover more details

SSD Cache

QNAP NAS supports SSDs for caching to boost storage performance for demanding applications with an affordable and easy-to-install method.
SSD Extra Over-provisioning

QNAP's software-defined SSD extra over-provisioning enables better SSD performance and endurance.
Qtier

Qtier™ Technology empowers automated-tiering storage solutions that automatically moves hot data to high-performance storage tiers and cold data to lower-cost, higher-capacity drives, allowing businesses to enjoy exceptional application performance and lower TCO of storage at the same time.
QNAP NAS supports SSD caching and auto tiering

QNAP’s Qtier auto-tiering technology maximizes SSD benefits for increasing both performance and capacity.
Virtual JBOD

VJBOD (Virtual JBOD) allows you to utilize storage resources of other QNAP NAS and expand the storage capacity on your local NAS.