At CES 2023, QNAP revealed its plans for two different NAS drives. These are the all-flash TBS-574X based on the Intel Alder Lake-P platform, and the ML-centric TS-AI642 based on the Rockchip RK3588 app processor.
These two models present new hardware support, a point on which QNAP believes that not much progress has been made in the sector. These two changes are support for hybrid CPUs, as in the case of the model with a Intel Core Alder Lake CPU; and support for SSD in E1.S format.
This is how NAS will improve with hybrid CPUs
According to QNAP, network storage drives have typically been based on server platforms for SMBs or single board computer (SBC) platforms for individuals. Hybrid processors have been avoided for various reasons, but now with the entry of Alder Lake in 2021, they are beginning to become more popular and accessible as they have reached the domestic market. Server workloads weren't well suited for this type of architecture, and without a credible use case for these types of processors, servers weren't likely to go down that path either.
Both the TBS-574X all-flash and the AI NAS TS-AI642 are based on hybrid processors. The TBS-574X uses the Intel Core i3-1220P in a 2P + 8E configuration. The TS-AI642 is based on the Rockchip RK3588, with 4x Cortex-A76 and 4x Cortex-A55 manufactured in Samsung's 8LPP process.
QNAP-curated QTS applications help provide built-in value additions such as container support and the ability to run virtual machines. QNAP is focusing more on neural network accelerator blocks to market the NAS for heavy users of its surveillance and AI applications, such as QVR Face for facial recognition in surveillance videos, QVR Smart Search for event search in surveillance videos, and QuMagie to easily index photo albums with artificial intelligence functionality.
Hot-Swappable E1.S SSDs
QNAP's 2023 NASbook, the TBS-574X, will be the first QNAP NAS to support hot-swappable E1.S SSDs up to 15mm thick. In order to increase drive compatibility, QNAP will include M.2 adapters attached to each drive bay. This will allow end users to use M.2 SSDs in the NASbook while expanding the market availability of E1.S SSDs.
