Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T: Unleash Blazing-Fast NAS Performance with AMD Ryzen and ECC Memory

We live in an age of unprecedented data creation. Every photo we snap, every video we record, every document we create – it all adds up. Our digital lives are expanding at an exponential rate, and traditional storage solutions, like the humble hard drive in your computer, are struggling to keep up. Think about it: how many devices do you own that generate data? Smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, even your smart home appliances are constantly creating and consuming information. Managing all this data across multiple devices can be a nightmare, not to mention the ever-present risk of data loss due to hard drive failure or accidental deletion.

Enter the NAS: Your Personal Cloud, Simplified

This is where Network Attached Storage, or NAS, comes to the rescue. Imagine a central hub for all your digital files, accessible from any device on your network, and even remotely over the internet. That’s the essence of a NAS. It’s like having your own personal cloud server, but instead of relying on a third-party provider, you have complete control over your data, ensuring both privacy and security. A NAS is more than just a storage device; it’s a powerful mini-computer dedicated to managing and protecting your digital life.

A Look Inside the Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T: Hardware That Works Hard

The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T is a prime example of a modern, high-performance NAS. This 4-bay unit (meaning it can hold up to four hard drives) is packed with features designed to provide both speed and reliability. Let’s take a look at some of its key components:

RAID: Protecting Your Data from the Inevitable

Hard drives, unfortunately, are not immortal. They will fail eventually. This is where RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology comes into play. RAID combines multiple physical hard drives into a single logical unit, providing data redundancy and, in some cases, improved performance. There are several RAID levels, each with its own trade-offs:

• RAID 0 (Striping): Data is split across multiple drives, increasing read and write speeds. However, there is no redundancy. If one drive fails, all data is lost.
• RAID 1 (Mirroring): Data is duplicated across two drives. If one drive fails, the other contains an exact copy, ensuring no data loss. However, storage capacity is halved.
• RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): Data and parity information (used for data recovery) are distributed across at least three drives. This provides both redundancy and performance benefits. If one drive fails, the data can be reconstructed from the parity information.
• RAID 6 (Striping with Double Parity): Similar to RAID 5, but with an additional parity block, allowing for the failure of up to two drives without data loss.
• RAID 10 (A Combination):Combines RAID 1 and RAID 0.

The AS6804T supports various RAID levels, allowing you to choose the configuration that best suits your needs for data protection and performance.

ECC Memory: The Unsung Hero of Data Integrity

The AS6804T uses 16GB of DDR5-4800 ECC memory, expandable up to 64GB. The “ECC” part is crucial. ECC stands for Error-Correcting Code. Unlike standard RAM found in most computers, ECC memory can detect and correct single-bit memory errors. These errors, while seemingly minor, can lead to data corruption, system crashes, and even data loss over time. In a NAS, where data integrity is paramount, ECC memory is essential.

Think of it like this: imagine you’re writing a long document. Standard RAM is like writing with a pen that might occasionally skip a letter or two. You might not notice it immediately, but over time, those small errors can accumulate and make the document unreadable. ECC RAM, on the other hand, is like writing with a pen that has a built-in spell checker. It automatically detects and corrects any errors as you write, ensuring the document remains accurate and reliable.

PCIe 4.0 and NVMe SSDs: Speed Demons Unleashed

The AS6804T doesn’t just rely on traditional hard drives for storage. It also features four M.2 slots that support NVMe SSDs (Non-Volatile Memory Express solid-state drives) using the PCIe 4.0 interface. This is where things get really fast.

• PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express): This is the interface that connects high-speed components, like SSDs, to the motherboard. PCIe 4.0 is the latest generation, offering double the bandwidth of PCIe 3.0.
• NVMe: This is a protocol specifically designed for SSDs, allowing them to communicate with the system much faster than older protocols like SATA.

The combination of PCIe 4.0 and NVMe SSDs means that the AS6804T can access data incredibly quickly. These SSDs are typically used as a cache, storing frequently accessed files for near-instantaneous retrieval. This drastically improves the overall performance of the NAS, especially when multiple users are accessing it simultaneously or when performing demanding tasks like video editing.

Networking at Warp Speed: 10GbE and Beyond

To fully utilize the speed of the internal components, the AS6804T needs a network connection that can keep up. That’s why it includes not one, but two 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) ports, and two 5-Gigabit Ethernet (5GbE) ports. This is where the AS6804T truly shines for demanding users. Traditional Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE), found on most computers and older NAS devices, has a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 125 MB/s. While sufficient for basic file sharing, it quickly becomes a bottleneck when dealing with large files, 4K video streams, or multiple users accessing the NAS simultaneously.

• 10GbE: Offers ten times the theoretical bandwidth of Gigabit Ethernet, reaching speeds of up to 1.25 GB/s. This allows for incredibly fast file transfers, smooth 4K (and even 8K) video streaming, and seamless access for multiple users.
• 5GbE: Provides a significant speed boost over Gigabit Ethernet, offering up to 625 MB/s. This is a more affordable option than 10GbE, and many newer computers and network switches are starting to support 5GbE.

With its multiple high-speed network ports, the AS6804T ensures that your network connection won’t be the limiting factor in your data workflow. You can even use link aggregation (combining multiple network ports) to further increase bandwidth and provide network redundancy.

It’s important to note, however, that to take full advantage of 10GbE or 5GbE speeds, you’ll need compatible network equipment, including a 10GbE or 5GbE switch and network cards in your computers.

The Brains of the Operation: The ADM Operating System

All this powerful hardware is controlled by Asustor’s ADM (Asustor Data Master) operating system. ADM is a Linux-based OS specifically designed for NAS devices. It provides a user-friendly web interface, accessible from any web browser, that allows you to manage all aspects of the NAS:

• User Accounts and Permissions: Create and manage user accounts, setting individual permissions for accessing different folders and files.
• Storage Management: Configure RAID levels, create and manage storage volumes, and monitor the health of your hard drives.
• Backup and Restore: Set up automated backups of your data to the NAS, or from the NAS to external drives or cloud services.
• File Sharing: Share files and folders with other users on your network or remotely over the internet.
• App Central: Install a wide variety of applications to extend the functionality of the NAS, including media servers, download managers, web servers, and more.
• Remote access: Control and use by mobile apps.

ADM is known for its intuitive interface and its extensive feature set, making it easy for both beginners and experienced users to manage their NAS.

Putting it All Together: Real-World Scenarios

Let’s see how the AS6804T can be used in practical situations:

• The Photography Enthusiast: A photographer can store their massive RAW image files on the AS6804T, using RAID 5 or RAID 6 for data protection. The NVMe SSD cache ensures fast access to frequently edited photos, while the 10GbE connection allows for rapid transfers to and from their editing workstation. They can also share their portfolio with clients remotely through a secure web link.

• The Filmmaking Family: A family that loves to create home movies can store their 4K video footage on the AS6804T. They can stream these videos to their smart TV or other devices using a media server application like Plex, enjoying smooth playback without buffering, thanks to the fast network connection and SSD caching.

• The Small Business Office: A small business can use the AS6804T as a central file server, allowing employees to easily share files and collaborate on projects. The ECC memory ensures data integrity, while the multiple network ports provide sufficient bandwidth for multiple users. Regular backups to an external drive or cloud service protect against data loss.

• The Remote Worker: Files stored are always available, no matter your location.

Beyond Storage: Exploring the Possibilities

While the primary function of a NAS is data storage and sharing, the AS6804T can do much more. With its powerful processor and ample memory, it can run a variety of applications, transforming it into a versatile home or office server. Here are a few examples:

• Virtualization: You can run virtual machines on the AS6804T, allowing you to test different operating systems or run applications that require a specific environment.
• Media Server: Install Plex, Emby, or other media server applications to stream your movies, music, and photos to your TV, smartphone, or other devices.
• Web Server: Host your own website or blog directly from the NAS.
• Download Manager: Download files from the internet directly to the NAS, without having to keep your computer running.
• Surveillance Station: Connect IP cameras to the NAS and use it as a video surveillance system.

USB4: A Note on Current Capabilities

The AS6804T includes two USB4 ports, which offer impressive theoretical speeds of up to 40 Gbps. However, it’s crucial to understand the current limitations. Asustor explicitly states that, at this time, the AMD USB4 driver only supports external storage devices and direct connections to another Lockerstor Gen3 or Flashstor Gen2 series NAS. This means you cannot currently connect other USB4 peripherals like displays or docking stations. While this may be disappointing for some, it’s important to remember that driver support can evolve, and future updates might expand USB4 functionality. The current capability, however, allows for incredibly fast transfers between compatible NAS units, which can be beneficial for backups or data migration.

Making Informed Choices

The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T represents a significant investment in your digital infrastructure. It’s not simply a storage device; it’s a powerful, versatile server designed to handle the demands of modern data usage. While features like ECC memory and multiple high-speed network ports might seem like overkill for some, they are crucial for ensuring data integrity and providing a smooth, responsive experience, especially in multi-user environments or when working with large files. Before making any NAS purchase, it’s essential to carefully consider your current and future needs, your budget, and the level of technical expertise you’re comfortable with. A NAS like the AS6804T is a long-term investment, and choosing the right one can significantly improve your digital life.
The provided information and review data do not address any issues related to the functionality of WOL (Wake on LAN).

The Future of NAS: Where Do We Go From Here?

NAS technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. We can expect to see even faster processors, more memory, and faster network connections in future NAS devices. The integration of AI and machine learning is also likely to become more prominent, enabling features like intelligent photo and video organization, automated data tiering, and proactive threat detection. Cloud integration will continue to deepen, allowing for seamless data synchronization and backup between NAS devices and cloud services. As our digital lives become ever more complex, the NAS will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in managing and protecting our data.