QNAP TS-873A 8-Bay NAS Enclosure with QSW-1105-5T Network Switch

Overview

The QNAP TS-873A-SW5T-US is a combined network attached storage (NAS) enclosure and network switch bundle designed to enhance storage capacity and network performance for homes, studios, and small offices. Powered by a 2.2 GHz AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core processor and equipped with 8 GB of DDR4 memory, this system supports eight SATA III drive bays and dual 2.5 GbE ports for faster data transfers. The included five-port 2.5 GbE switch simplifies network upgrades with plug-and-play functionality and silent operation.

Key features

• Eight SATA III drive bays compatible with 2.5- and 3.5-inch drives, supporting multiple RAID configurations to balance speed, redundancy, and storage capacity.
• Dual 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports with Port Trunking for increased throughput or failover protection, improving network reliability and speed.
• Two M.2 NVMe SSD slots that can be used for cache acceleration or as a separate storage tier, reducing latency for demanding workflows.
• Two PCIe 3.0 x4 slots allowing expansion with 10 GbE adapters, storage controllers, or GPUs to tailor the system to specialized tasks.
• Choice between QTS and QuTS hero operating systems, offering either familiar ext4 management or advanced data integrity features like inline deduplication and extensive snapshot capabilities.
• Included QSW-1105-5T switch with five 2.5 GbE ports, automatic loop detection, and a fanless design for quiet operation and easy network integration.

Key specs

• Processor: AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core 2.2 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB DDR4
• Drive bays: 8 x 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA III
• RAID support: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, JBOD, Single
• Network ports: 2 x 2.5 GbE with Port Trunking
• M.2 slots: 2 x NVMe SSD for cache or tiered storage
• Expansion slots: 2 x PCIe 3.0 x4
• Switch ports: 5 x 2.5 GbE (QSW-1105-5T)

Connectivity and compatibility

The TS-873A-SW5T-US bundle offers versatile connectivity options to fit into modern network environments. The dual 2.5 GbE ports on the NAS provide faster-than-standard Gigabit Ethernet speeds, ideal for transferring large files or streaming high-resolution media. The included QSW-1105-5T switch expands network capacity with five 2.5 GbE ports, allowing seamless connection of multiple devices such as desktop workstations, NAS units, and Wi-Fi 6 routers. Automatic loop detection enhances network stability by preventing broadcast storms, while the fanless design ensures silent operation in noise-sensitive spaces.

Performance and reliability

Equipped with a powerful AMD Ryzen processor and ample DDR4 memory, the NAS handles multitasking and demanding applications with ease. The support for advanced RAID levels and the option to use M.2 NVMe SSDs for caching or tiered storage significantly improve data access speeds and system responsiveness. The ability to boot either QTS or QuTS hero operating systems provides flexibility in managing data integrity and storage efficiency, making this system suitable for professional environments that require reliable and consistent performance.

Ideal uses and environments

This NAS and switch combination is well suited for creative professionals working with 4K video editing, small businesses needing dependable shared storage, and tech enthusiasts building home labs. Its scalable design and high-speed networking capabilities support workflows that involve large media files, virtualization, and surveillance data storage. The quiet operation of the switch and the flexible storage options make it a practical choice for office spaces, studios, and home environments where both performance and noise levels matter.