TerraMaster F4-424 4-Bay NAS Enclosure

TerraMaster F4-424 Overview

The F4-424 4-Bay NAS Enclosure from TerraMaster is designed for SMB users who need a high performance storage solution that can handle high-load workflows, virtualization, and database applications, while multiple business-level backup solutions help guarantee data safety and safeguard against the risk of data loss. It can also decode 4K video, stream content to multimedia devices, and features four SATA drive bays that can handle 2.5 or 3.5" hard drives and SSDs, plus two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for caching. The F4-424 delivers data transfer speeds of up to 283 MB/s and connects to your network using dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports that support link aggregation, while accessories may be connected a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, or HDMI 2.1. The F4-424 is powered by an Intel N95 Quad-Core processor and 8GB of 4800 MHz DDR5 memory that can be upgraded to 32GB.

Each drive bay is hot swappable and allows for tool-free installation. Plug-and-play connectivity means that no additional drivers are required for use, while a 120mm cooling fan helps keep operations cool. RAID options include RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, Single, JBOD, and TerraMaster's TRAID. The F4-424 is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Please note that the F4-424 does not currently support individual drives larger than 22TB.

Designed for High-Performance Requirements

The 4-Bay F4-424 is suitable for SMB users who need high-performance storage solutions. High performance means that users can easily handle high-load workflows, while multiple business-level backup solutions guarantee data safety and safeguard against the risk of data loss.

Excellent Performance

The F4-424 features the an Intel Celeron N95 4-Core processor with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.4 GHz, integrated Intel UHD Graphics with a maximum dynamic frequency of 0.75 GHz, and support for AES NI hardware encryption. Equipped with 8GB of 4800 MHz DDR5, two 2.5G Ethernet ports, and dual M.2 2280 NVMe slots for SSD caching, it significantly boosts the storage efficiency of the disk array. This makes the F4-424 an ideal high-performance storage solution for small and medium-sized business users engaged in virtualization and database applications.

Faster Application Response

Featuring a more powerful CPU and DDR5 memory, the F4-424 represents a performance improvement of more than 140% over the previous generation. Application load times have increased by 90%, file and photo retrieval speed by 40%, database response speed by 50%, and the PHP response for web pages has seen a 60% improvement. Such enhanced performance enables seamless handling of high-load workflows.

Higher Transmission Speed

The F4-424 is configured with two 2.5GbE interfaces, supporting a 2.5GbE high-speed network bandwidth. The linear data transmission speed can reach 283 MB/s, while link aggregation offers a network bandwidth of up to 5Gb, thereby providing a cost-effective solution for multi-user and high-concurrent file access.

Powerful Multimedia Service

With 4K video decoding capabilities, the F4-424 is compatible with uPnP/DLNA protocol and can stream videos to various multimedia devices, including computers, smartphones, media players, and televisions by using TerraMaster's proprietary application Multimedia Server, or one from another third party to deliver users constant, reliable entertainment experiences.

Flexible Storage Configuration

The F4-424 supports various RAID types including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, TRAID, Single, and JBOD. It offers online capacity expansion and online migration for RAID types, while Hot Spare can be configured for the disk array. It supports the creation of multiple storage spaces and EXT4 or BTRFS file systems can be selected in accordance with various business requirements. When used in conjunction with TerraMaster USB DAS devices, the F4-424 has the ability to flexibly expand storage capacity.

Professional Operating System

TNAS runs on TOS, a TerraMaster operating system based on Linux. Extensive research into the needs of various business users and the resultant continued evolution of multiple TOS generations has enabled it to integrate all-round professional storage management functions including network management, permission management, storage management, and resource monitoring via user-friendly, intuitive, and flat web interfaces. It also provides hundreds of free apps for the app market.

Across-Platform File Services

The ability of the F4-424 to support most file services (SMB, AFP, SFTP/FTP, iSCSI, NFS, and WebDAV) enables it to successfully address the across-platform file service needs of different network environments. Moreover, the F4-424 supports Windows AD domain and LDAP, thereby facilitating the incorporation of the existing IT environments of business users and improving management efficiency. The presence of permission management at the level of users, user groups, and file directories means that the F4-424 can satisfy the comprehensive requirements of business users for inter-departmental collaboration and data security.

Rich Backup Solutions

TOS can protect valuable data using visual user interfaces and trustworthy storage solutions thanks to its integration with multiple backup applications that can address backup needs in an array of circumstances.

Centralized Backup
Backup for servers, virtual machines, employee PCs, and file servers can be initiated at the TNAS end, thus facilitating the rapid restoration of data after incidents.

Duple Backup
In order to provide several offsite backup versions, Duple Backup provides advanced data protection by backing up files in TNAS to another remote TNAS, file server, or cloud drive.

Snapshot
It is possible to take continuous snapshots of your folders or iSCSI LUNs by enabling the snapshot schedule with the advanced storage technology and optimized snapshot technology available via the BTRFS file system. When problems arise, the system can roll back to points-in-time and restore to the last backup, thereby ensuring that your data is well protected.

CloudSync
This backs up or synchronizes TNAS data with the cloud drive, which not only improves the availability of cloud data, but also provides several offsite backup versions, thus safeguarding the security of your data.

Virtualized Applications

The F4-424 satisfies virtualized application needs and provides additional functionality within one device with the use of professional virtualized apps, including VirtualBox and Docker, and by cooperating with Docker-compose and Portainer. This lowers the cost of corporate investment in IT.

System Level Security Protection

Increased cyberattacks mean that the system security of network devices security system are obliged to address considerable challenges. TOS enables various systematic safeguards, such as pam identity authentication, AES 256-bit encryption, automatic account lockout, anti-DoS attack, firewall, and Security Isolation Mode. Hence, it effectively reduces the risks of malicious attacks on your devices.

Multiple Commercial Applications

TNAS allows business users to easily build file servers, mail servers, web servers, FTP servers, MySQL databases, CRM, Node.js, Java VMs, and many other services, thereby satisfying the commercial requirement of various SMBs in such fields as education, consulting, finance, scientific research, and law.

Easier Hard Disk Replacement

The F4-424 is designed with a tool-free hard disk tray, removing the need for any tool during hard disk installation. The F4-424 also features TerraMaster's unique Push-Lock design, which automatically locks the hard disk on insertion to prevent it from coming loose or going offline. As a result, it is extremely convenient for users who need to replace hard disks frequently for data exchange, as their installation takes less than 10 seconds.

Easy Installation of M.2 SSDs

To facilitate the installation of M.2 SSDs, TerraMaster has specially designed a side sliding cover for the F4-424 chassis, which is simply pushed aside to install M.2 SSDs. TerraMaster also provides hand-tightened screws, making it easy to install an SSD within 5 seconds.

Better Heat Dissipation

The F4-424 features an intelligent temperature-controlled fan, which ensures optimal working conditions by automatically adjusting fan speed according to hard disk temperature. It also has a dedicated ventilation channel for M.2 SSDs to accommodate hybrid storage applications. Even under full load, the temperature of anyM.2 SSDs can be kept within a reasonable range.

Less Noise

The unit's close placement to the user has required a design that achieves greatly reduced noise to meet the strict requirements for these levels in desktop products. The high-speed rotation of disks and heads in HDDs when reading and writing produces vibrations with noticeable noise. These vibrations may resonate with the product's cavity and amplify the overall noise. To combat this, besides incorporating additional shock absorbing measures, TerraMaster's engineers have designed numerous special sound-absorbing panels in the new structure to minimize noise. Testing has shown that the new generation of products achieve noise levels 50% lower than the previous generation's, with a noise level in standby mode of only 21 dBA.