After our TS-639 review launched yesterday, we now present you with the second model in the new QNAP series, the TS-809 Pro. This device is QNAP’s new flagship holding no less than 8 drives.

While the TS-639 is based on an Intel Celeron 1.6GHz processor combined with 1GB DDRII memory, the TS-809 Pro is based on the Intel Dual Core 2.4GHz and gotten 2 GB of DDRII memory onboard. The 2 more hard drives that can be added extra to the TS-809 and the extra power and memory are not the only differences to find between the TS-639 and TS-809, although these differences speak in favor for the latter… The TS-639 had 2 eSATA on board, which the TS-809 does not have. Those are the differences in hardware we found.

In this review series, we will review all three new QNAP models launched early 2009 and give you an independent opinion on how we experience these NAS servers from unpacking the box to testing their performance…

We started in the middle with the TS-639 Pro, now followed by the TS-809. Last item we review is the new entry model, the TS439 which can hold 4 hard drives.

What we look forward to is exploring three new devices outside and inside, and then rule about the price being in balance with what is offered. We seek to be blown off our feet by QNAP’s new systems…

The QNAP TS-809 Pro looks the same as the TS-639 and TS439 pro, meaning we do appreciate the design. Maybe the front should not have been plastic in this top model and have some more refurbished aluminum touches added. After all, it does cost quite a little bit of money for which that kind of quality can be expected.

Unpacking the device reveals the same content as with the other models being the unit and power cord, 2 network cables, 32 screws for the hard drives, 2 keys to lock the hard drives in place, a CD-ROM with the necessary applications to discover the unit and a quick start guide.

The front looks nice and clean. A small LCD panel that delivers quick basic information can also be used to quickly setup the NAS using a single button. The network, USB, status, HDD and power LED offer visual indicators on drives connected or activity. A quick backup button and a power button make the front options complete. Good thing is where none of the LEDs for the hard drives or other indicators shine too bright.

The rear end is scary again with two huge fans integrated and a third small one dedicated for cooling the PSU. The good news is however is that these are all silent and smart fans that adjust themselves to the unit’s use, although it is more audible for the TS-809 than we measured with the TS-639. While the TS-639 made some humming noise unless we pressed together the side panels, the TS-809 makes a whistling noise (like a flute in the far distance). We expect this is bad luck with our unit only and not a general issue with the TS-809.

There are 4 USB ports to which you can connect external hard drives or a printer and 2 GBIT network connections that allow connecting the TS-809Pro to two separate networks or one can opt for using load balancing or failover.

The VGA output is not for home use, neither is the COM port. This is usually for QNAP to analyze issues. There is a reset button and a Kensington lock provided in the rear.

Unlike the TS-639, there are no eSATA connections while the DUAL GBIT Network and 4 USB ports are provided. Notice that there is an additional USB port in the front.

Warning: As with all NAS servers, not all drives can be used. Manufacturers go through a lot of testing to provide lists of compatible hard drives. Please check this list before ordering any NAS from QNAP to ensure you pick the correct hard drives for your unit.

http://www.qnap.com/pro_compatibility.asp

For our unit, we selected the 1.5TB hard drives, model Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 model ST31500341AS.

Our thanks go out to www.divxplayer.nl for providing 10 of these hard drives for our testing purposes.

Now the courtesies have been taken care of and introduction of the QNAP TS-809 PRO is completed, we can start setting up the unit and explore its abilities. Let’s get it on already and see what we find under the hood…

The QNAP TS-809 Pro is powered by a 2.4GHz DUAL CORE Intel processor and 2GB DDRII memory. This should suffice for the general user although QNAP is one of the brands you can easily upgrade the memory of as it uses modules. Not sure if this is allowed under warranty though. There have been some discussions in the past.

For our testing, we leave the default amount of memory in place. As stated, it can hold 8 hard drives, has iSCSI support integrated and supports volume based encryption to keep your data safe.

RAID configurations supported include RAID0, 1, 5 and 6. In RAID 5 you can assign a drive as hot spare and if you rather not have any RAID configured, there’s JBOD.

A little extra on the fans, these are “ultra silent” so the most noise in operation will come from the rattling hard drives inside. The TS-809 remains audible however from several meters away and I do mean the fans blowing, the whistling sound we leave out of scope.

The LED system in front offers problem indication using colors which are explained in the manual backed up by a “beep” system to indicate what the unit is doing (Power on ready, shutdown, volume warnings etc…)

Now we will start setting up the unit and see how easy that is using the display…