We have been checking out more Network Attached Storage (NAS) servers than usual this year at Bigbruin.com, and that trend will be continuing to include at least a few more units in the coming weeks. The next device to consider is from
Thecus, a company that has been creating NAS servers since 2004, and sending them over to us to check out since 2008.
The promotional image above shows the unit provided for this review... The N5550. This NAS server is from Thecus' small and medium business line up and offers five drive bays, a dual core processor, 2GB of DDR3 memory, and plenty of other features to make sure it can handle the needs of multiple users simultaneously. Before taking a look at the sample provided for review, lets cover some of the features and specifications found on the
official product page on the Thecus website. The listing below is just a summary of what the Thecus N5550 has to offer, and visiting the link will provide a much more comprehensive overview.
Features and Specifications:
» Processor: Intel Atom Processor D2550 (1.86GHz Dual Core)
» System Memory: 2GB DDR3
» LAN Interface: RJ-45x2: 10/100/1000 BASE-TX Auto MDI/MDI-X, WOL supported
» USB Interface:
» USB 2.0 host port x4 (back x4)
» USB 3.0 host port x1 (front x1)
» LCM Module: LCM display, 4 buttons (ENTER, ESC, UP, DOWN)
» SATA DOM: 1GB
» HDMI Output: HDMI port (back x1)
» VGA Output: VGA port (back x1)
» Audio: MIC input, Line input, Audio output
» Disk Interface:
» 5 x SATA for internal
» 1 x eSATA for external
» Power Supply: 200W Power Supply
» USB UPS: Supported
» Thermal/Fan control:
» Thermal sensor on processor temperature
» System FAN speed controlled by temperature
» System Clock: Battery-backed up system clock
» Power Management: Auto power on after shutdown due to power loss
» Buzzer: Adjustable frequency alarm
» Buttons:
» Power button
» LCM button
» Environment:
» Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
» Humidity: 0 ~ 80 % R.H. (Non-condensing)
» Chassis: Tower Metal Chassis
» Dimensions (HxWxD): 230 x 190 x 240 (mm)/ 9.06 x7.48 x 9.45 (in)
The specifications are definitely impressive, and many of the items listed above are fairly standard for a NSA server... Gigabit network connection, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, etc. What may catch your eye is that this unit features HDMI and VGA video output, as well as jacks for a microphone, line in, and stereo audio out. While many people might use a NAS server to stream content to their media players, Thecus has designed to N5550 to be the media server and the media player.
