[Review] ASUSTOR AS-302T - 2 Bay Gigabit Multimedia NAS Enclosure

[shadowandy]

Last year, I reviewed one of ASUSTOR’s first NAS enclosures – the AS-606T (from the 6-series) which is targeted at small businesses and prosumers. This year, ASUSTOR has introduced the 3-series NAS enclosures that are more targeted at home and multimedia users.

I will be reviewing the ASUSTOR AS-302T NAS enclosure in this and upcoming few posts.


Review at a Glance

• Product: ASUSTOR AS-302T - 2 Bay Gigabit Multimedia NAS Enclosure [product link]
• Summary: A cutting edge 2 bay multimedia NAS for your digital lifestyle
• Pros: Dual Core Intel 1.6GHz Atom Processor, 1080P high-definition multimedia playback capability, License for 4 IP cameras, Great NAS for multimedia centre usage
• Cons: 1GB RAM (non upgradable), No eSATA Port
• SRP: S$499.00

The AS-302T NAS enclosure

The ASUSTOR AS-302T features a Intel dual-core 1.6GHz Atom CE5335 processor, 1GB DDR3 memory and 2 hot-swappable slots for hard disk drives. The CE5335 processor supports hyper threading and has built-in enhanced graphic capabilities for processing multimedia content which makes it suitable as a home multimedia centre.

Multimedia-wise, it is equipped with HDMI 1.4a (capable of 1920 x 1080 output) and 3.5mm audio out port for connection to the television or speakers.


The Package

The ASUSTOR AS-302T comes neatly packaged in a brown box. You will find the following as part of the package:

• ASUSTOR AS-302T NAS enclosure
• 1 x Ethernet patch cable
• Installation CD
• Power cord + adaptor unit
• Sachet of screws for mounting hard disk to drive caddy

Reference: ASUSTOR AS-302T Review – Introduction

 

[shadowandy]

AS-302T Review - The Introduction

The Build

The AS-302T feels rather sturdy with majority of its body in dark gray brushed metal except for the front and back panel which is in black plastic. On the left panel (viewing from the front), there are ventilation holes to aid the airflow within the enclosure. The CPU is passively cooled by a big heat sink so make sure you don’t block them.

On the front panel, there are the LEDs for power, drive, network and USB activities. There is a USB 3.0 port (in blue) near the bottom, just left of the two drive bays. Looking closely at the top right corner, you will find that the IR receiver. Yes, the remote control is offered as an optional accessory which you can use to exploit the AS-302T multimedia capability (e.g. controlling XBMC).

Turning the AS-302T around, there is the 70mm fan responsible for cooling the unit. There is the HDMI 1.4a and 3.5mm audio out jack for multimedia, 2 x USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0 (in blue) and a single 10/100/1000 megabits ethernet port. Near the base of the AS-302T is the Kensington lock slot for securing the enclosure physically. One thing I could not figure out is why would one bother to secure the enclosure when the drive caddies are easily available (and removable)?



The Operating System

The ASUSTOR Data Master (ADM) 2.0 is the latest instalment of ASUSTOR’s widely praised NAS operating system (embedded Linux). It features a substantially optimised user interface that is both intuitive and user-friendly. ADM supports multi-tasking and comes pre-installed with a rich assortment of applications.

The ADM also features App Central, an App platform that contains quite a number of add-on Apps which allow users to download Apps to add functionality to the ASUSTOR NAS. All of the functions in the ADM are presented using using simple icons.

Some of the cool Apps are the AiMaster and AiData. They allow users to experience the convenience of cloud computing on the go:

• AiMaster – This is a management utility app for monitoring and controlling the ASUSTOR NAS remotely.
• AiData – It is pretty much a cloud storage app that gives you access to your files on the move.

Check out ADM 2.0 at ASUSTOR live demo site at ASUSTOR - Innovation Makes a Difference.


Reference: ASUSTOR AS-302T Review – Introduction | shadowandy - my life stories

 

[shadowandy]

ASUSTOR AS-302T Review - Home Multimedia Centre

The ASUSTOR AS-302T features a Intel CE5335 dual core 1.6GHz Atom chip, 1GB memory and HDMI 1.4a video out that is capable of high definition 1920 x 1080 output.

The Intel CE5335 SOC (System on Chip) has got enhanced graphic capabilities that allows for smooth full HD multimedia playback or transcoding to lower bit-rate for streaming to other devices. The hyper threading capability on the CE5335 SOC give a performance boost to Apps that are capable of making full use of its 4 CPUs.

There are no lack of multimedia App on App Central – Plex Media Server, XBMC, iTunes Server, etc. There is an interesting “Media Mode” prompt when you install any of these multimedia apps. The “Media Mode” actually reserves a portion of the system memory for certain Apps to use for multimedia playback. Well, you want smooth video playback right? This is what it does, prioritising the memory for multimedia usage over the others.


XBMC - Home Theatre Software

The AS-302T supports XBMC and installation is a breeze via App Central. For those who have used the ASUSTOR 6-series NAS enclosures, you will notice that Boxee is not supported on the 3-series.

To control the XBMC, you will need to download the XBMC remote control application for Android / iOS via Play Store / App Store. Just follow the onscreen instructions to configure the XBMC remote control application soon you will be enjoying 1080P high definition videos on your television. Otherwise, you can grab the ASUSTOR Remote Control (an optional accessory) for the same purpose.


iTunes Server - Streaming your music around your home network

If you are still keeping your videos and music locally on your computer at home, it is time to consolidate them onto the iTunes Server and access them from any computer on the network using iTunes. Yes, iTunes will discover the AS-302T as a shared library and allow you to steam contents off it.



Reference: ASUSTOR AS-302T Review – Ultimate Home Multimedia Centre | shadowandy - my life stories

 

[shadowandy]

ASUSTOR AS-302T Review - Speed Test

Again, I am using the NAS Performance Tester to test the network reading and writing performance of the ASUSTOR AS-302T.


The Equipments

• ASUSTOR AS-302T with 2 x Western Digital Red 2TB hard drives
• iMac 27″ mid 2011 with Windows 7 bootcamp
• ASUS RT-N66U

Both the iMac and ASUSTOR AS-302T are connected via the ASUS RT-N66U via CAT 5E patch cords. They are connected at 1 Gigabits with default MTU size. The maximum theoretical limit of a 1 Gigabit connection is 1000 megabits/sec (1000 Mb/s) or 125 megabytes/sec (125 MB/s).


The tests

Two tests were performed for each RAID configuration (2 disks on RAID 0 and 2 disks on RAID 1):

1. First test using a 4000MB file; and
2. Second test using a 2000MB file

The Results

In both tests, the ASUSTOR AS-302T exhibited better network performance when it is in RAID 1 configuration. This is rather queer considering that RAID 0 is suppose to give a speed boost. During the tests, the ASUSTOR AS-302T CPU and RAM were not maxed out.

The network performance of the ASUSTOR AS-302T is quite fast. It is pretty near the maximum theoretical speed limit of gigabit connection (125 MB/s).


Reference: ASUSTOR AS-302T Review – Speed Test | shadowandy - my life stories
Other products speed tested: Speed test | shadowandy - my life stories

 

[shadowandy]

ASUSTOR AS-302T Review - Conclusion

The ASUSTOR AS-302T is well built as a NAS and functions great as a multimedia centre (check out the post on home multimedia centre).

Backup

As for using it as a backup, it will certainly meet most end user’s requirement with RAID1 and its ability to configure it as a TimeMachine backup location.

I personally feel that one should get at least a 4-bay (e.g. ASUSTOR AS-304T, Synology DS412+ (review)) to maximise storage capacity and redundancy. In a RAID1 configuration, you are effectively losing out on 50% of your storage space while on a RAID5 configuration with 4 disks, you only lose out on 25% of your storage space. In both RAID1 and RAID5, the system can tolerate up to single disk failure.


Multimedia

The ASUSTOR AS-302T does seems to be a great multimedia centre albeit lacking in the area of on-demand content App. So no Netflix, Google Hulu Plus, Pandora, etc. Well, to be fair to the ASUSTOR AS-302T, I am not aware of other NAS enclosures that has on-demand content App.

Do let me know if you know of NAS that does that.

 

[shadowandy]

reserve post 5

 

[leonaheidern]

Hi shadowandy

any idea where this or the 304 is sold or where I can go look at a live demo?

i kinda need to replace my thecus n3200pro nas and i like the xmbc feature for this nas brand

 

[ckone]

thanks for the nice review. was planning to go for a synology but this thread is giving me something else to think about.

 

[Sempron2800]

thanks for the nice review. was planning to go for a synology but this thread is giving me something else to think about.

I was initially looking for a Synology DS213j as well, but was recommended by the shop boss on Asustor.
In the end got myself the entry-level 2 bay 202t model. So far so good....streaming movies to my mobile everynight while lying on my bed.

 

[ckone]

what i like about the setup is the HDMI output, can connect direct to tv and use xmbc directly rather than having to stream it over LAN to TV (lousy player interface, can't play certain formats) or to PS3.

was using a seagate central that's currently down. pissed off so think need to get something with RAID and this looks good!

 

[tekster]

Is asustor the only nas that has hdmi?
Entry nas is 202t? Anyone can share the pricing?

 

[shadowandy]

Hi shadowandy

any idea where this or the 304 is sold or where I can go look at a live demo?

i kinda need to replace my thecus n3200pro nas and i like the xmbc feature for this nas brand

You can check out Ace (Ace Peripherals Synology Asustor NAS AS 302T 304T 602T 604T 606T 608T, DS112 DS213j DS213air DS713 DS413 DS412 DS411 DS1513 DS1813 DS2413 COMEX 2013 Price List Brochure Flyer Image).

Not sure if they have a demo set though. Best bet is the upcoming show cos usually they display the various NAS out.


Just a note, I am not from Ace. I just happen to remember that they were retailing ASUSTOR NAS during shows.

 

[shadowandy]

thanks for the nice review. was planning to go for a synology but this thread is giving me something else to think about.

Both the Synology and ASUSTOR are good. In terms of Apps, ASUSTOR has a whole lot more Apps. And if you are using IP cameras, you get 1 free license on Synology and 4 free licenses on ASUSTOR.

 

[shadowandy]

Is asustor the only nas that has hdmi?
Entry nas is 202t? Anyone can share the pricing?

The other NAS enclosure with HDMI is Thecus.

The first number denotes the series. Like in this model you quoted (202t) is the 2 series.

6 series is more for small businesses. I happened to review the AS-604T previously (ASUSTOR AS-606T Review – Introduction | shadowandy - my life stories).

3 series is more prosumer while the 2 series is more consumer.

Some of the NAS I reviewed during my free time:

• Synology DS412+ Review – A brief introduction | shadowandy - my life stories
• ASUSTOR AS-606T Review – Introduction | shadowandy - my life stories
• D-Link DNS-320 – Layman speed test | shadowandy - my life stories
• Humble Speed Test on the DNS-343 | shadowandy - my life stories
• ReadyNAS Duo – Simple speed test | shadowandy - my life stories

 

[tekster]

The other NAS enclosure with HDMI is Thecus.

The first number denotes the series. Like in this model you quoted (202t) is the 2 series.

6 series is more for small businesses. I happened to review the AS-604T previously (ASUSTOR AS-606T Review – Introduction | shadowandy - my life stories).

3 series is more prosumer while the 2 series is more consumer.

Some of the NAS I reviewed during my free time:

• Synology DS412+ Review – A brief introduction | shadowandy - my life stories
• ASUSTOR AS-606T Review – Introduction | shadowandy - my life stories
• D-Link DNS-320 – Layman speed test | shadowandy - my life stories
• Humble Speed Test on the DNS-343 | shadowandy - my life stories
• ReadyNAS Duo – Simple speed test | shadowandy - my life stories

wat the diff between prosumer and consumer?

 

[Desmond_]

AS-606T user here

 

[chengsun]

If, my NAS will be far away from any TV, display, the hdmi is kind of, useless to me right?

 

[jahon2013]

it's spec same Thecus N2520 2bay NAS,

 

[a562140]

so this NAS doubles up as a Media Player ? Like you can download stuff, watch movies with selectable audio and subtitles?

 

[shadowandy]

so this NAS doubles up as a Media Player ? Like you can download stuff, watch movies with selectable audio and subtitles?

Well, I would say it will depends on what plugins you load on the XBMC. There are plugins that scans opensubtitles for the appropriate subtitle. Audio depends on whether your video has got it. Check out XBMC.