Design and Build

The AS5404T’s design and build quality are truly impressive, setting it apart from other NAS devices on the market. The device’s physical construction is robust and sturdy, with a sleek aluminum casing that provides excellent heat dissipation. The front panel features a large LED display that shows system information, including disk usage, network activity, and alarm notifications.

The AS5404T also boasts an impressive array of connectivity options, including four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two SATA III ports for expansion, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. This versatility makes it easy to connect the device to a variety of devices and networks.

One notable feature that sets the AS5404T apart from other NAS devices is its innovative air vent design. The vents are strategically placed on the sides of the device, allowing for excellent airflow and reducing the risk of overheating. This attention to detail is a testament to Asustor’s commitment to delivering high-quality products.

The AS5404T’s compact size and sleek design make it an attractive addition to any home or office environment, and its impressive build quality ensures that it will withstand the rigors of daily use.

Performance and Specifications

The AS5404T’s processing power comes from its quad-core 2.0 GHz Realtek RTD1296 processor, which provides ample computing resources for demanding tasks such as video editing and transcoding. The device also features 2 GB of DDR4 RAM, which is sufficient for most NAS applications.

In terms of storage, the AS5404T offers a range of options, including 4 x 3.5" drive bays that support both 3.5" and 2.5" drives. This flexibility allows users to choose between larger capacity hard drives or faster SSDs. The device also supports RAID configurations, including single disk mode, JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks), RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10.

The AS5404T is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also supports a range of file systems, including SMB, NFS, AFP, and FTP. Additionally, the device features built-in support for popular cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive.

  • Key specifications:
    • Processor: Quad-core 2.0 GHz Realtek RTD1296
    • RAM: 2 GB DDR4
    • Storage: 4 x 3.5" drive bays (supports 3.5" and 2.5" drives)
    • RAID configurations: Single disk mode, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10

User Interface and Setup

The user interface of the AS5404T is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and set up the device. Upon powering on the NAS, you’re greeted by a welcome screen that prompts you to create an admin account and configure the network settings.

Initial Setup

To get started, simply follow the on-screen instructions to create a new admin account and set a password. You can also choose to use the default admin account and password if you prefer. Once the account is created, you’ll be prompted to configure the network settings, including setting up the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.

Main Menu

The main menu is organized into clear categories, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. The categories include Storage, Network, Security, and Applications, each of which provides access to a range of options and settings.

  • Storage: allows you to manage your storage devices, create new shares, and set up data backup and restoration.
  • Network: enables you to configure network settings, including IP address assignment, DNS settings, and port forwarding.
  • Security: provides access to security-related features, such as encryption methods, access controls, and firewall settings.
  • Applications: allows you to install and manage various applications, including multimedia players, file managers, and more.

Overall, the user interface of the AS5404T is well-designed and easy to use, making it a pleasure to set up and manage your NAS device.

Security and Data Protection

The AS5404T’s security features are robust, designed to protect your data from unauthorized access and potential threats. One of the most notable security features is AES-256 encryption, which is used to encrypt both data at rest and in transit. This ensures that even if an attacker gains access to your NAS device or the network it’s connected to, they won’t be able to read or modify your data. Access controls are also tightly integrated into the AS5404T. You can set up user accounts with specific permissions, allowing you to restrict access to certain folders or features. This is particularly useful for multi-user environments where different users need varying levels of access.

In addition to encryption and access controls, the AS5404T offers a range of backup options. You can set up automatic backups using the built-in Backup Station app, which allows you to schedule regular backups to an external hard drive or cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This ensures that your data is always backed up in case something goes wrong.

The AS5404T also supports RAID 5, which provides an additional layer of protection against data loss by distributing your data across multiple disks and parity information. This makes it more difficult for attackers to access your data, even if they manage to compromise one or more drives.

Conclusion and Verdict

Worth Considering for Your NAS Needs?

After putting the Asustor Nimbustor 4 Gen2 AS5404T through its paces, it’s clear that this NAS device is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich storage solution. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some other high-end models, the AS5404T delivers where it counts: performance, ease of use, and security.

Potential Drawbacks

That being said, there are a few areas where the AS5404T falls short. The lack of support for more advanced storage technologies like erasure coding can be seen as a limitation by some users. Additionally, while the device’s software is generally intuitive, some may find the interface cluttered and overwhelming.

Alternative Solutions

For those seeking a more robust feature set or greater flexibility, alternatives like the QNAP TS-873A or Synology DS1817+ may be worth considering. However, for most users, the AS5404T’s balanced performance and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for NAS needs.

In conclusion, the Asustor Nimbustor 4 Gen2 AS5404T is a solid choice for anyone in need of a high-performance NAS device. Its impressive specifications, user-friendly interface, and robust features make it an excellent option for both personal and professional use. While there may be some minor drawbacks to consider, overall, this NAS device is a great value for its price.