QNAP Combines QTS with Linux Station on TS-x53A Series NAS Systems

QNAP has announced a new series of NAS systems, combining the company’s QTS operating system with Linux Station. The latter is intended for installing and using internet-of-things packages.

The NAS systems in QNAP’s TS-x53A QTS-Linux Combo series run QTS, but users can install Linux Station through the App Center. This allows them to install multiple internet-of-things packages. If they connect a keyboard and mouse and connect the NAS to a monitor via HDMI, the ‘Linux Station’ can be used as a desktop system and can also be managed as a remote desktop via a web browser, QNAP states. By the way, Linux Station is only available from version 4.2.1 of QTS; that version is now only available as beta.

The series will be available in 2, 4, 6 and 8-bay models and the processor is an Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core with a clock speed of 1.6GHz processor. QNAP puts 4GB or 8GB ddr3l in the models. There are also up to four gigabit Ethernet ports, four USB 3.0 ports and two HDMI interfaces.

The systems support hardware-accelerated aes 256bit encryption, snapshots for multiple restore points, integrated virtualization, and containers support, which QNAP aims to make them attractive for business applications. On the other hand, the company emphasizes the ability to play 4k video using Kodi and a remote control is included for the multimedia applications. Prices start at 399 euros for the TS-253A and go up to almost 1000 euros for the TS-853A with 8GB.